The Brandeis Emergency Medical Corps (BEMCo) is the student-run emergency medical service organization for Brandeis University. The organization was established in 1983 by then undergraduate Jim Meisel, MD. BEMCo comprises approximately 80 members (50 active), all of whom are state-certified Massachusetts Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). As of 2006, BEMCo has responded to approximately 5,500 calls and averages about 300 calls/year. A group of elected officials known as the Executive Board (E-Board) leads the organization and includes the Director, Operations Director, Administrator, Treasurer, Training Officer, and Secretary. BEMCo receives all of its funding from Brandeis' Student Activities Fee (SAF) and is one of seven "Secured" groups which receives a guaranteed miminum amount of the annual fund. Every spring, BEMCo offers an EMT training course on the Brandeis campus which trains about 30 new EMTs each year.
Duty Crews
The standard on-duty crew comprises four EMTs: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, and Supervisor. The Primary is a member who has had extensive off campus experience either with a volunteer or paid ambulance service. S/he is considered the crew chief, and drives to all calls in the 'BEMCo Truck' (see below). The Secondary has had extensive training and is familiar with all BEMCo protocols. Should a second (simultaneous) call arise, the Secondary will break off from the first call to respond to the second. The Tertiary is a new member who participates fully until he/she is ready for promotion to Secondary. Both the Secondary and Tertiary respond to the scene via foot, personal vehicle, or campus police cruiser (if available). A Supervisor is always on duty to respond to simultaneous calls (with the Secondary), as well as any call of a serious nature. Supervisors are Primaries with extensive on and off campus experience and are trained to handle crisis situations.
The Truck
BEMCo operates a 2002 Ford Expedition equipped with full emergency vehicle lighting. The BEMCo truck carries Basic Life Support (BLS) equipment in accordance with the regulations outlined for Class V ambulance in the state of Massachusetts. This includes, but is not limited to: spinal immobilization devices, electric suction, splinting devices, burn kits, oxygen supplies, automatic external defibrilator (AED), extrication equipment, and obstetrics supplies.
