AMHERST, N.Y. – In furthering its prominence as a leader in health sciences education, Daemen College has established the institution’s first-ever campus rescue squad, a student-run volunteer group that will provide emergency medical services to the college community.

The new Daemen College Rescue Squad (DCRS) will be fully operational at the start of spring semester classes. Created under the Division of Student Affairs, DCRS is made up of a core group of undergraduate and graduate students, including a majority in health sciences and human services majors, who are trained and certified as basic emergency medical technicians.

“This new response squad forms a reliable team of well-trained student volunteers to help meet the emergency medical needs of the Daemen community that will complement immediate care services provided through our key partnerships with Snyder Fire and Rescue and Twin City Ambulance,” said Dr. Greg Nayor, vice president for student affairs. “We are very proud of our students for their time and effort in establishing DCRS, which will be a valuable resource for our students, faculty, staff, and visitors.”

Development of DCRS was led by Robert Mead-Colegrove, assistant dean of campus life, who oversees the Office of Campus Safety. The rescue squad, which has been certified by the New York State Department of Health, will be dispatched through campus safety and will work closely with its officers.

“A student-run rescue squad of this caliber is unique among small colleges and builds on our reputation as a leading health sciences educator in the region,” said Daemen President Gary Olson. “This rescue squad will provide an important service to our campus community while our student emergency responders gain hands-on experience that will greatly benefit them in their careers.”

During the development of DCRS, extensive research was conducted through the National Collegiate Emergency Medical Services Foundation. Policies and procedures, practical training, and other parameters were created, and equipment was obtained over the past year in preparation for launching the rescue squad.

“It was an honor to be actively involved in forming DCRS, and I am excited to be working with such talented students in providing vital emergency medical services on our campus,” said Matthew Stewart of Mahopac, a social work major and founding chief of operations.

Pictured below are: Dr. Greg Nayor, President Gary Olson, who received honorary DCRS badges, and Robert Mead-Colegrove.