|
"These are not book bags," senior David Rand points out. "They are panniers, specifically equipped bags to carry equipment."
The specialized bikes carry 50 pounds of medical equipment and require special training to ride. Taking a 30-hour bicycle course is just one of the requirements for becoming a certified medical technician working with GW's Emergency Medical Response Group.
Popularly known as EMeRG, the Emergency Medical Response Group is a volunteer emergency response organization sponsored by the University Police Department and GW's Department of Emergency Medicine. More than 50 students participate in the program
When an emergency call is received by UPD, EMeRG volunteers stationed in a Marvin Center office, are paged to accompany police to the scene. All volunteers are certified as emergency medical technicians, meaning they have the same qualifications as the D.C. fire emergency medical technicians who respond to emergencies around the District.
"We are students," Rand said. "But we are also professionals."
Volunteers can become certified EMTs by taking Emergency Medicine 140, offered by the School of Medicine and Health Services.
"There is a six-day EMeRG academy to learn about the operations of EMeRG and how to use the equipment," junior Kelly Schirmer said.
The three panniers that are strapped to each bicycle contain the same emergency equipment found in an ambulance. The equipment includes a glucometer to measure blood sugar level, oxygen tank and an AED, a machine used to resuscitate individuals under cardiac arrest.
"What you would see in regular ambulances, we carry on our bicycles," Rand said.
EMeRG responds to a variety of calls requiring medical attention around campus. These range from sports injuries at the Health and Wellness Center to seizures, asthma attacks and even car accidents. The group also responds to drug overdoses and alcohol poisoning.
