The History of TUEMS
The idea for the Temple University Emergency Medical Services was started by Paul Grodziak, Val Rakita, and Zachary Reichenbach in 2005. The Temple University Police Department was very receptive of the proposition of an on-campus EMS program and was eager to hear more. Realizing the daunting amount of work required, Anthony Wiencek and Peter Seltzer were brought in to help get TUEMS started.
In the fall of 2006, TUEMS became a recognized student organization, allowing for initial funding from the Temple Student Government. Additionally, TUPD placed an order for two Trek EMS Special Mountain bikes. After meetings with members of the PFD EMS Bike Team and members of the PENN Campus Safety Program, an additional order was placed for two sets of medical bike bags.
TUPD provided the organization with two AED’s and oxygen tanks and Student health services, the Temple Transport team, and Temple hospital provided numerous medical supplies to aid with start-up supply needs.
Members from TUEMS, Temple University Campus Safety (TUPD), Temple University Hospital, Student Health Services, and Risk Management attended regular meetings to work out operational aspects including relations between the police, medical liabilities, organizational responsibilities, and proper medical oversight, to name a few.
In addition, members prepared for operations by completed an IPIMBA (International Police Mountain Bike Association) class. Further time was spent in the Temple Hospital Emergency Room, and completing radio and online training.
On January 24, 2008, at 7:30pm, Temple University Emergency Medical Services officially started operations. Within minutes of becoming operational we were dispatched to our first call.
In the fall of 2006, TUEMS became a recognized student organization, allowing for initial funding from the Temple Student Government. Additionally, TUPD placed an order for two Trek EMS Special Mountain bikes. After meetings with members of the PFD EMS Bike Team and members of the PENN Campus Safety Program, an additional order was placed for two sets of medical bike bags.
TUPD provided the organization with two AED’s and oxygen tanks and Student health services, the Temple Transport team, and Temple hospital provided numerous medical supplies to aid with start-up supply needs.
Members from TUEMS, Temple University Campus Safety (TUPD), Temple University Hospital, Student Health Services, and Risk Management attended regular meetings to work out operational aspects including relations between the police, medical liabilities, organizational responsibilities, and proper medical oversight, to name a few.
In addition, members prepared for operations by completed an IPIMBA (International Police Mountain Bike Association) class. Further time was spent in the Temple Hospital Emergency Room, and completing radio and online training.
On January 24, 2008, at 7:30pm, Temple University Emergency Medical Services officially started operations. Within minutes of becoming operational we were dispatched to our first call.
