When someone frantically waved down his ambulance, Caden Denslow 鈥�25, G鈥�26 only had seconds to react. His trainee driver pulled over and Denslow assessed the scene鈥攖he patient had a critical injury.
鈥淲e began life-saving measures and stabilized them enough to transport them rapidly to the hospital,鈥� recalls Denslow, a candidate and field supervisor for
Paul Smyth (right) demonstrates life-saving techniques during a Stop the Bleed training for community members.
Later, the lead trauma surgeon called Paul Smyth, SUA鈥檚 manager of Emergency Medical Services (EMS), to let him know that Denslow鈥檚 prompt care directly contributed to the patient鈥檚 survival.
鈥淜nowing that someone is alive because of our actions鈥攊t鈥檚 an incredible reminder that what we do really matters,鈥� Denslow says.
For more than 50 years, 麻花影视 Ambulance has served as both a vital safety resource and a powerful classroom for leadership, teamwork and personal growth. The student-run emergency medical service operates 24/7 during the academic year, responding to more than 1,500 medical emergencies annually. Whether answering calls in residence halls, covering football games at the JMA Wireless Dome or teaching life-saving training in the community, SUA members are at the center of high-stakes learning.
Training and Mentorship
Personnel supervisor Jonah Freund 鈥�26 (left) mentors newer members of 麻花影视 Ambulance, guiding them through hands-on training.
Each semester, SUA selects 15-18 new members from over 200 applicants. The recruits come from all majors鈥攎ost with no medical experience.
鈥淲e look for empathy, work ethic, willingness to learn and overall attitude,鈥� says Jonah Freund 鈥�26, a dual major in biotechnology and sociology who serves as a personnel supervisor. 鈥淥ur goal is to give them the tools to provide the best patient care possible.鈥�
New members begin with a six-week probationary phase that combines classroom instruction, hands-on training and ride-along shifts with assigned mentors. At the end of their first semester, recruits must pass skills and written exams before they can begin formal emergency medical technician (EMT) certification training. They then take EMT classes twice a week through , on top of their academic courseload. This prepares them for the New York State EMT exam at the end of their second semester鈥攎aking it nearly a full academic year before they鈥檙e certified.
Whether they go into medicine, law or business, the experiences here carry over. They learn to make quick decisions, communicate under pressure and take responsibility for others鈥攕kills that work in any career.
Paul Smyth
At the dispatch center, Abigail Dernier 鈥�26 oversees communication and call coordination to ensure fast, effective emergency response.
鈥淭he process can feel overwhelming, especially since we鈥檙e all still students balancing classes, exams and personal life,鈥� says Abigail Dernier 鈥�26, a biology major and personnel supervisor. 鈥淏etween the supervisors and their mentors, recruits always have someone to rely on.鈥�
Once certified, members begin internal training to be ambulance drivers and crew chiefs鈥攖hose that provide primary patient care. They can also become certified as dispatchers as well as seek out leadership positions.
鈥淏ecoming a driver was a fun challenge, but crew chief was toughest鈥攍earning to properly manage a scene and my crew led to tremendous personal growth,鈥� Dernier says. 鈥淚鈥檓 also a dispatcher for SUA, a vital role that coordinates different agencies behind the scenes.鈥�
Service and Community
New SUA members learn CPR as part of their training.
SUA鈥檚 mission extends far beyond 911 calls. Members regularly lead CPR and Stop the Bleed training for students, faculty and staff, and provide standby medical service at sporting events, concerts and festivals.
鈥淔irst responders have very little control over the scenes they show up to. Standbys are like that but without the controlled environment of the ambulance,鈥� Dernier explains. 鈥淚t takes confidence and trust in your team members鈥攁nd it鈥檚 often a bonding experience.鈥�
The students also become much more than EMTs. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e learning to be community members,鈥� says Smyth. 鈥淪ervice doesn鈥檛 stop when the call is over. It鈥檚 about making your environment safer and helping others be prepared.鈥�
Skills That Transfer Anywhere
Isabelle Epelbaum 鈥�27 checks and organizes medical gear to ensure her ambulance is ready for the next emergency call.
Smyth has watched countless students transform from nervous recruits to confident professionals. 鈥淲hether they go into medicine, law or business, the experiences here carry over,鈥� he says. 鈥淭hey learn to make quick decisions, communicate under pressure and take responsibility for others鈥攕kills that work in any career.鈥�
For Isabelle Epelbaum 鈥�27, a biotechnology major who serves as a mentor and the organization鈥檚 public relations officer, SUA requires a unique combination of abilities. 鈥淏eing a member is truly unlike any typical college experience,鈥� she says. 鈥淭he varied roles鈥攚orking overnight shifts, dispatching calls, maintaining the organization鈥檚 public image鈥攄emand strategic and concise communication to ensure both operational integrity and public trust.鈥�
Blending social work and emergency response, Caden Denslow 鈥�25, G鈥�26, applies interpersonal and crisis management skills to support patients and peers in the field.
The progression from learner to teacher is constant. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a continuous evolution,鈥� Smyth says. 鈥淭here are always people just starting and others finishing their time here.鈥�
Reflecting on her time with SUA, Dernier appreciates the collaborative spirit and relationships among members. 鈥淚鈥檒l remember how we supported each other through personal challenges and the mentorship between members鈥攆riends, really,鈥� says Dernier. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the people that make the place.鈥�
Denslow agrees. 鈥淣o other organization affords students the opportunity to develop themselves socially and professionally to this level,鈥� he says. 鈥淚鈥檝e been challenged clinically, administratively and personally. The ability to calm myself, recognize the problem at hand and execute a solution鈥擨鈥檝e already applied that skill in many aspects of my life.鈥�
