SUNY Canton Celebrates its Student Emergency Medical Services Volunteers

Students lead a series of trainings from Nov. 7 to 11 to promote on-campus emergency services.

SUNY Canton is celebrating its dedicated student volunteers during National Collegiate Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week.

There are currently eight active members of the college’s EMS squad, according to Richard (R.J) Thayer, director of student affairs technology, who serves as the advisor for the student-led program.

“Our students provide high quality, professional, pre-hospital emergency medical services to our students, staff, faculty, and visitors,” Thayer said. “They respond to all medical emergencies on our campus 24 hours a day throughout the academic year.”

SUNY Canton EMS also provide standby services for large-scale events, fundraising opportunities, in addition to disaster relief and recovery. Some of the students also assist other agencies within St. Lawrence County as needed. They also were among the volunteers to assist with on-campus COVID-19 testing following the pandemic.

“Our students are providing a valuable service to our community,” said Courtney B. Bish, vice president for student affairs and dean of students. “They have been able to decrease the call volume to off-campus emergency agencies and assist with after hour emergencies. If you see one of the members of our campus squad, please join me in thanking them for their service.”

Bish has previously presented the student organization with a service award. The organization also received the “Roosponding Award” presented by SUNY Canton President Zvi Szafran. It has also received recognition from the college’s Student Government Association.  Nearly 100 students have volunteered for the program since it first began in 2016.

Collegiate EMS Week takes place during the second full week in November. It was modeled after National EMS Week, which is held in May, and is sponsored by the American College of Emergency Physicians and endorsed by Congress. The week-long recognition and celebration of campus-based EMS provides an annual opportunity for campus-based organizations to highlight their activities and educate their communities.

The EMS program will be hosting a series of trainings throughout the week, including Hands-Only CPR training from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily at locations across campus. At 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, the organization will be recognized at a women’s hockey game against Hilbert College. SUNY Canton is also featuring SUNY Canton EMS President Tyler H. Fuentes, a Homeland Security major from Monroe, in its weekly People Like Me student highlight segment.

In addition to Fuentes, SUNY Canton EMS members include:

• Ryan A. Duester, a Criminal Investigation major from Baldwinsville.
• Darren J. Greene, a Cybersecurity major from Lindenhurst.
• Allison P. Lashway, a Criminal Investigation major from Hudson Falls.
• Yvan Nelson, a Nursing major from Queens.
• Abigail M. Rivera, a Nursing major from Bayside.
• Jodie E. Soltau, a Physical Therapist Assistant major from Cranberry Lake.
• Mary D. Townson, a Criminal Investigation major from Elmira.

For more information about the organization, including how to join, visit the SUNY Canton EMS website.