Frank Caria, a member of the class of 2001, in
collaboration with Campus Safety and the Health Center
administrative staff, proposed to enhance the Health Services of the
Muhlenberg College Community with the development of a volunteer,
college-sponsored, Emergency Medical Service. This was designed to
augment the 24 hour Health Center on-call system instituted at the college in 1993. Frank began researching what it would take to start an EMS program at Muhlenberg. In the Fall of 1997, Frank wrote a letter to Muhlenberg President Arthur Taylor. President Taylor acknowledged the letter and directed him to speak with Health Services. Frank began working on the program in cooperation with Campus Safety Director Ken Lupole, Student Health Services Director Sam Miranda and Dean of Students Rudy Ehrenberg. These dedicated administrators assisted Frank with obtaining insurance for the organization, procuring the necessary supplies and securing a vehicle in which the members could respond. A membership drive started and several Emergency Medical Technicians were recruited along with many CPR / First Aid certified students. Chief Lupole donated an older Campus Safety Vehicle, a 1991 Chevrolet Caprice. MCEMS began official operations on October 1, 1999. Chief Lupole served as the organization's advisor while Sam Miranda provided Medical Command.
The first few weeks of operation proved just how much of a need there
was on the campus. During the 1999 Homecoming soccer game, one of the referees
went into cardiac arrest. MCEMS was on scene in less than 90 seconds. The
responding members began CPR and along with a crew from Cetronia
Ambulance, revived the referee. They were then supported by the ALS efforts of the City of Allentown EMS. He is now back to work and has
recovered fully. During the first year, additional equipment was
purchased and more members recruited. Toward the end of 1999,
MCEMS and Campus Safety received two Automated External Defibrillators (AED)
through the Pool Foundation program. Frank was instrumental in securing
Student Council funding for the purchase of Blood Borne
Pathogen protective EMS gear. The jacket and pants sets are worn on
every call and help to protect members from blood and other
bodily fluids. MCEMS recieved the Henry Award for Organization of
the year for 2000 and a special Lifesavers Award from Cetronia Ambulance
for the CPR save. MCEMS ended the 1999-2000 academic year having
answered over 400 calls for assistance.
With the help of our advisors and the Office of Residential Services,
MCEMS was granted a special interest MILE (Muhlenberg Interactive
Living Experience) house at the start of the 2000 - 2001 academic year.
The house, located on the corner of 22nd and Chew Streets, serves
as a home for the Line Officers and a place where meetings and training
can be held. In October, MCEMS celebrated its first year of operation.
The organization had advanced, securing a new tone / voice paging
system, new radios, more medical equipment & an EMS Bike Team. This new technology drastically reduced response
times, with our average response time now at 2 minutes. MCEMS attended
its first National Collegiate EMS Foundation meeting with Capt. Frank
Caria, Lt. Ryan Kerian and Supply Officer Christopher Hayes
representing the group.
As the year 2000 ended, it became obvious
that the Caprice was not sufficient for the organization's needs.
Chief Lupole again donated a used Campus Safety vehicle, a 1996 Chevrolet
Blazer. The Blazer was refurbished and outfitted with a custom cabinet,
emergency light package and custom graphics. The Blazer was a big step up from
the Caprice, with more room, power, and better reliability. Four wheel
drive also meant that MCEMS could operate safely during those
often harsh Pennsylvania winters. More EMT's were recruited and several CPR / First
Aid providers took the EMT course. MCEMS provided stand-by coverage at major events,
including the Guster concert, where a band member was treated and transported
by MCEMS. The organization finished the year by being award the President's Award, the
highest honor any Muhlenberg organization can recieve. Our graduating
founder and Captain, Frank Caria was also honored with the Henry Award as
a Trailblazer for his work establishing MCEMS. Incoming Line Officers Capt.
Ryan Kerian and Lt. Christopher Hayes motioned the Executive Board to
confer the title "Life Captain" to Frank for his tireless dedication to the
organization and to the Muhlenberg community.
2001-2002 was the first year MCEMS accepted only EMT's. This move
was made in response to the organization's desire to recieve Quick Response
Service recongition from the State of Pennsylvania. A new training program
was introduced. Frank and Chris also worked
hard at revamping the Standard Operation Procedures and creating a new Patient
Care Report. Chris represented MCEMS at the World Trade Center
disaster, serving on the NJ EMS Task Force that spent two days at Ground Zero. Becoming Captain at the begining of 2002, Chris created the position of 2nd Lieutenant, easing the work load of all the Line Officers. Freshman Mike "Cliford the Big Red Dog" Alexander was elected to this position with Sophmore Scott "I have the keys to the Capri" Hamilton serving as 1st Lieutenant. The organization ended the year with it's traditional Recongition Luncheon held at the Hoffman House. Our advisor and mentor, Ken Lupole was honored with the first ever "Frank A. Caria Award for Most Dedicated Service".
Working closely with college adminstration, Ken and Chris secured a new first response unit, a 2002 Blazer LS. The new Blazer replaced our old unit which had racked up a whopping 162,000 miles! The new vehicle was outfitted with lights, custom graphics featuring our patch, a custom console and equipment rack in the rear. We hope our new truck will serve us for many years to come!
After an exhustive inspection process, MCEMS was recognized as a Quick Response Service by the Eastern PA EMS Council and the PA Department of Health in May of 2003. MCEMS is the first college-base EMS organization in the Lehigh Valley to recieve recongition.
Through the hard work of our members, officers and advisors, MCEMS
has grown to be a needed and respected presence on the Muhlenberg campus. With
this dedicated group of people, MCEMS will continue to provide emergency pre-hospital
care to those in need at Muhlenberg College.