MADISON, Wis. — Students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are proposing a student-run EMS program they say would both serve the campus community and give students more hands-on emergency medical experience.
Members of Badger EMS said the current program provides education and training, but offers limited practical opportunities, WKOW reported. The group says a student-run model could improve emergency care on campus while giving participants more real-world experience.
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“We definitely think there is a way we can do EMS care more efficiently on campus, and we’re hoping to kind of solve that,” Badger EMS member Jake Wesson said.
The proposal would allow student EMTs to respond to lower-acuity calls, such as intoxication cases on game weekends, minor dorm incidents and medical issues at campus events. Organizers say the program would work in coordination with Madison police, fire and EMS agencies.
“We’ll be able to kind of free up an ambulance, so the ambulance doesn’t need to respond necessarily, but a group of student EMTs could check on the patient, see if further transport is needed, and kind of assess the student from there,” Wesson said.
Student EMTs would be trained to state and national standards, organizers said. Program advisers say the hands-on experience would help prepare students for emergency medicine careers while also improving campus safety by reducing the need for lights-and-sirens responses to lower-acuity calls.
The group has grown from about a dozen members in 2023 to more than 40, and the proposal is now awaiting approval from university administrators.
Should student EMTs be allowed to independently assess low-acuity patients?
EMS1 readers respond
“If a minimum standard of training is established and implemented for this student response team, then yes. I would also include 100% QA/QI on all responses. This is definitely beneficial for students and ensures oversight. It should also include a licensed paramedic/instructor to be available by phone or in person anytime this team is active.”
“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.”
“While I like the idea, as it is reminiscent of grass-roots initiatives that many communities used to have, I’m not a huge fan ... for their sake. In a time, culture, and nation where no good deed goes unpunished, they are opening themselves up to risks, critique and liability for something that will likely have little benefit or impact on the ‘favor that became an expectation’ in modern EMS. While ‘we’ like to pride ourselves on evidence-based medicine, EMS remains a defensive medicine practice. That’s why so many systems have been so resistant to venture into things like telephone triage, treat in place, and right-sizing ambulance transport to alternative modes of transportation. The truth is, while they may of benefit prior to the arrival of EMS, the first time they recommend someone with an ingrown toenail to not seek EMS transport, 5 weeks later that patient will get septic and these guys will be hung out to dry. Good on you ... but watch out.”
“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 would wholeheartedly agree with this if it was a paramedic assessing the patient. EMTs are not trained to the point that a paramedic is trained and they need to recognize that the training between and EMT basic and an EMT paramedic is much more intense.”
“Why on earth not? There are many teenaged full-fledged EMTs working in EMS and always have been.”
“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.”
