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History of SUNY Canton EMS

SUNY Canton EMS was first envisioned in 2014 by Richard (R.J.) Thayer, a staff member in the Student Affairs Division. Interested in founding a collegiate EMS squad, in March of 2015 Thayer convened a group of campus stakeholders to discuss the feasibility. Supportive of the idea, the Advisory Board, which is what the working group was called, worked to secure funding, write policies, procedures, and find the best structure for the squad.

In January of 2016 the first student interest meeting was held, which had over 30 students in attendance, all from various backgrounds and majors.

Throughout the spring 2016 Thayer provide weekly training to these interested students to ensure when the College and State gave the go-ahead, the students would be properly trained, and ready to respond to medical calls. Thayer and the Advisory Board also continued to work behind the scenes with the College, County, and State to obtain all the necessary funding and certifications. The College, along with the Student Government Association generously agreed to fund the squad.

By the end of Spring 2016, SUNY Canton EMS has secured State Certification to respond to calls as a Basic Life Support First Response Agency (BLSFR) and along with generous support from the College and the Student Government Association was able to purchase all the necessary equipment.

SUNY Canton EMS began responding to calls in the Fall of 2016.