Colleges and universities across the U.S. are building or expanding campus-based EMS programs to handle low-acuity calls, improve response times and reduce strain on local agencies.
These programs — often called collegiate EMS or campus EMS — are not new. But many are unfamiliar with how they operate and what role they play.
| MORE: Wis. university students propose campus EMS program for low-acuity calls
What is collegiate EMS?
Collegiate EMS programs are campus-based emergency medical services, typically staffed by students and supported by university administration or public safety departments.
Most are:
- Student-run or student-staffed
- Volunteer, paid or hybrid models
- Focused on campus response and event coverage
Across the U.S., there are more than 8,400 student EMS clinicians working in roughly 250 programs, responding to more than 94,000 calls annually.
These agencies are often affiliated with the National Collegiate EMS Foundation (NCEMSF), which supports training, standards and collaboration.
What level of care do collegiate EMS programs provide?
Collegiate EMS programs vary widely by scope:
- First response only (non-transport)
- BLS care, often with rapid on-foot or bike response
- ALS or transporting units (less common)
Many programs focus on low-acuity calls, including:
- Intoxication
- Minor injuries
- Illness evaluations
- Event standby coverage
Response times are typically fast due to proximity. One study found average response times of about 2.6 minutes, significantly faster than many municipal systems.
How collegiate EMS programs fit into local EMS systems
Most campus EMS agencies do not replace local EMS. Instead, they:
- Handle low-acuity or campus-based calls
- Stabilize patients before transport
- Transfer care to transporting agencies when needed
- Reduce call volume for municipal EMS
In many systems, they operate under:
- A university public safety department
- Medical direction aligned with local EMS
- Formal or informal mutual aid relationships
Why colleges are expanding these programs
The push mirrors broader EMS trends:
- Increasing call volume
- Need for alternative response models
- Focus on resource allocation
Campus EMS programs can:
- Improve response times in dense campus environments
- Reduce unnecessary ambulance transports
- Serve as a workforce pipeline for EMS and healthcare
They also provide hands-on clinical experience for students, many of whom enter EMS, nursing or other healthcare disciplines.
Examples of collegiate EMS programs
There are several established programs illustrating different models:
- UCLA Emergency Medical Services
- Student-run, BLS-level service
- Responds to more than 1,700 calls annually
- Integrated with campus police
- Virginia Tech Rescue Squad
- Student-run, volunteer ALS agency
- Operates and responds 24/7/365 days a year
- Handles about 1,600 calls per year
- Supplies routine standby services
- Columbia University EMS (CUEMS)
- Operates 24/7 during the academic year
- Long-standing campus EMS program
- Has about 40 active members and responds to over 1,000 calls per year
- Recognized nationally for operational standards and training
- University of Pennsylvania MERT (Medical Emergency Response Team)
- Student-run service complements the emergency medical care provided by the University of Pennsylvania Police Department (UPPD) and the Philadelphia Fire Department
- 19 years in service; 7,880 calls responded to; 5 minute average response time; 70 active EMTs
- Regular campus coverage, university events, CPR instruction, standby’s
- Bike-based rapid response unit
- Focuses on quick intervention in high-density campus areas
These programs range from first-response teams to full ALS transporting agencies, depending on state laws and institutional support.
What EMS1 readers are saying
Comments on recent EMS1 coverage of collegiate EMS programs reflect recognition that campus EMS may help reduce low-acuity system demand.
“This exists at many campuses around the country, and often the campus EMS squad is primary on all calls, including the high acuity calls that this group seems to be willing to let the local EMS service handle. I don’t see any reason why they can’t do what they propose or even handle all calls for EMS service if they have the training, equipment and staff to handle it.”
“College EMS squads, both ambulance-based and not, have been handling low (and high!) acuity calls for decades at many schools. Best of luck to Badger EMS.”
“Western Carolina University has provided medical care and transport by students for over 50 years. The students are certified by the state as emergency medical technicians and many are enrolled in the BS degree program in Emergency Medical Care. This program is 50 years old this week.”
“I strongly support the initiative of student EMTs stepping forward to help manage low acuity calls on the campus. This is a thoughtful, proactive approach that not only enhances student safety and wellbeing but also helps to reduce the operational burden on local fire departments, police, and EMS agencies. By addressing minor medical concerns at the campus level, the group is creating a more efficient system of care, ensuring that emergency resources remain available for high acuity, time critical situations in the broader community. Just as importantly, this initiative provides valuable real-world experience for student providers while fostering a culture of service, leadership, and responsibility. A program like this demonstrates how collaboration and innovation can make a meaningful difference. Their efforts reflect a strong commitment to both the campus and the surrounding community, and they set an excellent example of how future healthcare professionals can contribute in impactful ways.”
“Absolutely, we have that at SUNY Oneonta and it is a success. There is also an organization where you can connect with many different colleges for help setting up your organization. National Collegiate EMS Foundation. Please pursue it, it is well worth all the effort. Get your college administration involved, it definitely helps. Good luck.”
Have experience with a college EMS program?
EMS1 is looking to expand coverage of collegiate EMS programs. If you are involved in a campus EMS agency, email us at editor@ems1.com with a brief description of your program.
Include:
- Program name and university
- Year established
- Staffing model (student-run, paid, volunteer)
- Level of care (BLS, ALS, transport/non-transport)
- Annual call volume
- Relationship with local EMS
- One key challenge and one success
- A photo(s) of your team
Selected submissions may be featured on EMS1.
Bottom line
Collegiate EMS programs are a growing component of the EMS system, particularly for low-acuity response and campus-based care. For EMS leaders, they represent both a resource and a workforce pipeline with appropriate integration, oversight and scope.
| MORE: Cultivating the next generation of EMS
EMS1 is using generative AI to create some content that is edited and fact-checked by our editors.
