Emergency Medical Services at Tech (EMSaT) is making a meaningful impact at Georgia Tech, enhancing student-led care and medical readiness on campus.  

Founded in 2019, EMSaT aims to expand knowledge and access to emergency services at the Institute, driving numerous community safety initiatives to support this mission.   

Most recently, EMSaT collaborated with Grady EMS, the Georgia Tech Police Department (GTPD), and Auxiliary Services to secure a dedicated ambulance for campus emergencies, operating daily from 1 p.m. to 2 a.m. This partnership significantly reduces response times and improves access to emergency care. 

The collaborative efforts between EMSaT and GTPD are crucial in enhancing campus safety.  

“We know in an emergency that every second counts,” GTPD Chief Robert Connolly said of the partnership in September 2024. “Having a satellite vehicle on campus will help us prioritize our campus community and get medical staff on the scene of an emergency as quickly as possible.” 

The Grady EMS unit is staffed with an emphasis on Georgia Tech students and EMSaT members employed by Grady, offering hands-on experience for those pursuing pre-health fields or who are passionate about EMS. 

“We are the first collegiate EMS agency in the University System of Georgia and the second in Georgia to Emory Emergency Medical Services,” said Jyotleen DeWal, a fourth-year neuroscience major and EMSaT’s field director. “We are excited about setting a new standard for campus emergency response.”  

Last year, EMSaT began overseeing the on-campus CPR certification program, previously run by the Fire Safety division of Environmental Health and Safety. According to Adwik Rahematpura, fourth-year biomedical engineering major and EMSaT’s vice president, “The organization certifies around 70 to 100 people per month, a notable increase from previous years.” 

They also provide first aid training, equipping the public to respond in emergencies.   

In February, EMSaT traveled to Pittsburgh for the National Collegiate EMS Foundation Conference, an annual gathering where more than 100 collegiate EMS agencies collaborate, network, and learn from other organizations.  

This year, Georgia Tech received a bronze-level EMS-Ready Campus designation. The accolade is the first of a three-tier system, setting the foundation for further advancement and room to grow into emergency management.  

James Connor, a fourth-year computer science and public policy major and EMSaT’s president, reflects on lessons learned from the conference. “There is a common saying in EMS: ‘If you’ve seen one EMS system, you’ve only seen one EMS system.’ Every system operates within its unique parameters, environments, and contexts, meaning no two function the same,” he said. “Seeing so many organizations in one room highlighted that each campus adopts its own approach to tackling issues, which was fascinating.”  

Looking ahead, EMSaT hopes to increase its membership and accessibility for EMS, offering members early experience to break into the field.  

EMSaT has set a lasting precedent for collegiate EMS systems in Georgia, and as the organization grows, its impact will only continue to expand.   

To get involved, visit Engage and @emsattech on Instagram.