For these EMT students, dedication never wavered

After nearly 140 hours of preparation, 53 Boston College students took the test to become certified Emergency Medical Technicians in the state of Massachusetts. The course, offered by the student-run Eagle EMS organization, began in January and required students to meet twice a week for four hours a night, in addition to every other Sunday for eight hours. Taking into consideration the assigned homework and exams, the amount of time put in by these EMT hopefuls was equivalent to taking an additional five academic courses.

These BC students did all of this despite the fact that those that pass will not be able to put their knowledge to good use when they return to campus next fall, following the BC Police Department's suspension of the group until the fall of 2004.

"I was really looking forward to working on campus," said Joe Mayerle, A&S '05. "It would have been a great way to fulfill the hours of experience requirement. I'm disappointed not to have the opportunity to use the information I learned here on campus, but all the same it's good information to have."

For Brian Benecke, A&S '05, the possibility of assisting members of the BC community was one of the catalysts in his decision to take the course.

"Eagle EMS's suspension is horribly frustrating. I went into this looking forward to working with an ambulance on campus," he said. "It was a factor in my decision to take this course; not the only reason, but it's still upsetting to see seemingly petty differences would prevent students from helping other students."

Eagle EMS Captain Mark Switaj, Heights editor and CSOM '05, said before last Saturday's exam the number of students he believes will pass should have a huge impact on the organization.

He said that the organization currently has between 15 to 20 EMTs, and that if all 43 students (not including members of the class of 2003) were to pass the certification exam, Eagle EMS could grow to as large as 60 EMTs on campus.

"If someday we got an ambulance, with these numbers [of newly certified EMTs] we would be able to staff it 24 hours a day," said Switaj. "Eagle EMS isn't just about response though, it's so much more. If we can't respond, we will focus on education."

Currently, 16 of BCPD's 32 patrol officers have EMT certification, according to the BCPD department directory listing on the BC Web site. The information is compiled by the Human Resources Office. Even with the suspension in effect, dedication and a desire to help have kept all 53 students in the course.

"My motivation for becoming an EMT was external from Eagle EMS," said Michael Hemak, EMT hopeful and A&S '05. "It's not the only route to get experience; it's an option, but not the only option. The fact that Eagle EMS is currently suspended does not detract from the fact that being an EMT is a job people need constantly. After the suspension was announced I never thought twice about wanting to continue to become an EMT."

Attendance to every class was mandatory. Absent students had to watch the class on videotape. If it was a practical class missed, travel to a location where another class was being taught, or make time for a private tutorial on the procedures to make up the class.

"Students gave so much time to be a part of this. I don't think they're just going to give this up," said Pete Brogowski, first lieutenant of Eagle EMS and A&S '05.

Many of the students in the class are pre-med students hoping to gain experience in the medical field before applying to medical school and becoming doctors.

"I wanted to gain out of class experience and get some understanding of emergency medical situations to see if I like it or respond well to these type of situations before I put all this time and effort into going to med school only to find I don't," said Hemak.

The course work prepared the students for last Saturday's Massachusetts EMT Certification test, a five-hour test administered in Quincy. To pass, students must achieve a score of 70 percent on the written examination and pass all four stations of the practical exam. A station of the practical exam may be failed if a student forgets even the smallest move in a procedure. "Massachusetts is really strict on their EMT test," said Brogowski. "It's really hard."

During one of the last classes before the exam, Brian Kavanah, the instructor of the EMT course at BC subcontracted by Eagle EMS from Emergency Medical Educators, told the students they would be nervous for the test and that those nerves were well founded. He cautioned students about rushing through the stations, and warned them about how picky the judges would be at each station. "Make sure you vocalize every move you make," he said. "You could fail the station for forgetting to ask the dummy if it was okay."

While reviewing for the practical portion of the exam, Jason Peary, A&S'03, said, "It's not just a normal written test, it's physical activity and lots of little things you have to remember. I'm sure I'll be nervous." "I am confident that most of the students will pass," said Switaj. "I was very impressed with this class."

Switaj said many of the students in the EMT class plan to work for ambulance companies over the summer.

"I already have a job at an ambulance company lined up for the summer," said Katrina D'Amori, A&S '06. "The first reason I wanted to become and EMT was to get hands-on experience with medical care, but it also just seemed like a fun and exciting job. I was sick of working at the sub shop."

Switaj is an employee of American Medical Resources (AMR) in Massachusetts, a nationwide ambulance company. He said many students in the EMT class have asked him to pick up applications to work there in the fall.

"The majority of employees of ambulance companies are young," he said. "From my experience at the companies I work for, most responders are under the age of 30. AMR loves having young employees."