Because of the atypical location of Bard's campus, we arrive on scene faster than local ambulances. With our average response time being 3 to 5 minutes, we provide essential care in those vital minutes. We are an entirely student-run club. All BEMS members are either training to be, or already are, New York State certified EMT-Bs. Bard EMS receives its semesterly budget from the Bard Convocation Fund, as decided by Bard students and the Fiscal Committee.
COVID-19 Response
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, BEMS is currently off call as we are experiencing shortage in personnel (remote learners) and PPE. While we are not in service, we are hiring new members and making the squad as strong as possible for when we return on call. Our planned return on-call date is February 18, 2021 with a truncated schedule. Please email [email protected] with any questions, and [email protected] if you are interested in joining our team.
BEMS members conduct training drills.
The Duties of BEMS are threefold:
- To stabilize and package critical, unstable, or potentially unstable patients (as defined by New York State BLS Protocols) for transport by ambulance.
- To render emergency aid to stable patients (as defined by New York State BLS Protocols) who need prompt hospital care, and arrange transport to an appropriate care facility.
- To render minor interim aid to patients who refuse transport during the hours when Bard Student Health Services is closed.
The History of Bard EMS
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Pre 1989In the years prior to 1989, Bard Emergency Medical Services consisted of Andy Malloy. Andy was a Bard student from Maine who was certified as an EMT in high school and joined Red Hook EMS when he came to Bard. He conveniently lived in a dorm next to Bard Security, who would drag Andy to all of their calls, willing, unwilling, or sleeping. -
BEMS is EstablishedAndy Malloy and Matt Becker, both Bard students, arranged for an instructor to teach a first responder class during the fall of 1990. David Ames, who arrived as a freshman to Bard certified as a paramedic, helped organize a cohesive squad. They took over a storage room in the basement of Albee and used it as a makeshift office. -
BEMS Grows and EvolvesThe new EMS squad started off with only basic equipment: a few hard plastic jump boxes and decent radios. When Andy, Matt, and David graduated, a number of dedicated students picked up the slack and continued to organize and refine Bard EMS.
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BEMS TodayToday, the squad is entirely student funded and run. Bard EMS receives its semesterly budget from the Bard Convocation Fund, as decided by the Bard student population and the Fiscal Committee.
