Class of 2014: Freshman Blog

While I may not be able to simply kiss away the pain, I can tell you a little more about an interesting opportunity here at Hopkins which I’ve seen some interest in on the Facebook groups, discussion boards, and through word of mouth.

The Hopkins Emergency Response Organization is our very own EMS response unit here on campus.  I first became involved in the unit back in October, when I began training for it, and officially started taking shifts just before winter break.  HERO, as it is commonly refereed to, consists of around 70 EMT-B’s and Emergency First Responders (EFR’s), all undergrads here at Hopkins.  The unit is divided into two sections, HERU and HERTU.  HERU is the unit responsible for responding to calls, while HERTU (Hopkins Emergency Response Training Unit) is charged with the task of training, certifying, and determining who makes the final cut to be a part of HERU.  The typical timetable of a HERO member goes like this:

Fellow SAAB-er Marina practices her CPR skills. Unfortunately, the dummy didn't make it. R.I.P.

1. Signing up for HERTU.  There are three times where one can begin training for HERO, at the beginning of the fall term, during intersession, and spring term.  Once you’ve contacted the Training Officer and have agreed to dedicate the time needed for training, you begin working on getting your EFR certification a few nights a week.

2. The class starts off with CPR certification.  This generally lasts about a week, although for the intersession class it generally takes only a few days.  Once the CPR test is passed, students will be American Red Cross CPR certified.

3. The class continues with First Responder training.  Students will learn back boarding, splinting, simple medication administration, and other basic medical interventions.  At the end of the class, students will again be tested and upon completion will be nationally recognized EFR’s.

4. Just because someone takes and passes their HERTU training does not automatically make them a member of HERU.  After each class finishes their EFR training, the unit hosts challenge testing.  Challenge testing is essentially a tryout, just like someone might try out for a team.  The challenge test consists of a difficult scenario given to the responder (who responds alone).  Current unit members are brought in to observe, and after they decide whether the person challenging is ready to begin taking shifts with HERU.  Keep in mind, very few people pass the challenge test (a 20% acceptance rate is considered high).

The Intersession EMT class

5.  After passing the challenge test, a general body meeting is held.  The meeting consists of shift scheduling, where unit members take one 8 hour shift a week.  The longer one has been on the unit, the higher shift preference they get.  During the Winter general body meeting elections are held (board positions will be explained later).

6. All unit members, once accepted, have the opportunity to take the intersession EMT-B (Emergency Medical Technician-Basic) class.  The class is pretty time consuming, but once completed entitles one to be a Maryland Certified EMT and to ride in ambulances around Baltimore.

7. Begin taking shifts! A shift consists of carrying a bag, radio, wearing a HERU uniform, and being on campus.  Other than that, one can continue with their normal day to day activities (going to class, sleeping, eating), they just have to be ready to respond should a call come in.  If a call does come in, four people will respond (see positions below).

On-Duty Positions:

-Crew Member:  The crew member is the basic responder, who is either EMT-B or EFR certified.

-Driver: The driver is generally the same as the crew member, although they have the keys to the HERU car (similar to the security vehicles, only with more medical equipment such as a backboard).

-Crew Chief: A crew chief is the main authority on scene.  In order to become a crew chief, one must have been both voted in and have responded to at least 5 calls.

-Reserve Crew Chief: A reserve authority who can be called in if needed, essentially an upgraded crew chief.

Broke my elbow. Major bummer, it totally hurt.

Elected Board Positions:

-Operations Lieutenant: Essentially the head of HERO, the Ops. Lt. is the final authority on any on or off scene matters, as well as running the general body meetings.

-Personnel Lieutenant: The personnel lieutenant is in charge of shift scheduling as well as any scene related documentation, complaints, or evaluations.

-Equipment Lieutenant: The equipment lieutenant is in charge of maintaining and getting new equipment, as well as keeping the car ready and fueled.

-Treasurer: Handles the money. $hocking, right?

-Secretary:  Takes minutes at the general body meetings, as well as maintains contact records and updates the website.

-Training Officer:  The liaison between HERO and HERTU who runs challenge testing, organizes the EMT-B class, and runs continued education classes.

-Instructional Chair: The person in charge of running HERTU and training potential new members.

Hope you all enjoyed,

Nick

Current song: 99 Problems by Jay-Z