Members of the Geneseo First Response team (pictured above) are on call every day, responding to 911 calls strictly on campus. Members attend to each patient, where they perform medical tests. These assessments were learned during an intensive training that each person must fulfill to become a member of the Response team (courtesy of Geneseo First Response).
Geneseo students have probably seen the flashing red lights and heard the screaming sirens of an ambulance in response to an emergency at least once on campus already. Did they know that the EMTs in that first response vehicle may be one of their fellow classmates? These students are part of something called Geneseo First Response which is a student-run organization on campus.
“We are a student-run New York State EMS Agency. We are known as First Response Agency, which means that we respond quickly to any 911 call on campus,” Chief of Operations and chemistry major senior Ethan Nagasing said. “We care for the patient until we transfer care to a transporting agency or sign off that patient if they’re capable enough to do that. We run 24 hours a day while we’re on campus. All of our members become New York State EMTs within a year of joining,”
Almost anyone can join this organization. In order to be a part of GFR, one must be in good academic standing with the college, but no prior experience is necessary. Once a student becomes a part of the organization, they must go through a six-week training taught by the Second Assistant Chief and psychology major senior Molly O’Brien. There are also many skills to be learned from being a part of GFR, as one must be trained in many different things to be able to help their patients.
“As soon as you become a new member, you go through a six-week curriculum, and that’s taught by me. So, they learn how to collect patient informational calls, how to take blood pressure and heart rates and all the vitals,” O’Brien said. “They learn about radio communication, and just generally working with the other members of GFR, as well as the ambulance agencies that we work with and UPD.”
“We really appreciate having a wide range of students with different majors from different backgrounds because it’s good to have diverse opinions when we have a diverse group of patients,” Nagasing said.
There are a few events throughout the semester hosted by Geneseo First Response. The organization will be doing a GLK event on Nov. 16 in the Corner Pocket. GFR also tables at various events, such as the club expo at the beginning of the year and the wellness fair that took place last week.
“I think people should join if they’re passionate about helping the campus community and they’re open to learning and growing within the organization,” said O’Brien.
If someone is interested in becoming a member of this volunteer organization, there is a website with additional information. Becoming a part of this organization is a great way to help give back to your community and be a part of a great team, new members are always welcome.
If you ever find yourself in an emergency, make sure to call the GFR number, which is 911.