GERMS Featured in Vox Populi

Vox Populi, the official blog of The Georgetown Voice, wrote about the dedication ceremony of Unit 9.  To read the whole article, visit http://blog.georgetownvoice.com/2011/02/22/germs-dedicates-new-ambulance/.

Unit 9 Dedication Ceremony

Today we gathered in Healy Circle to officially dedicate Ambulance 9.  The ceremony was attended by VIPs from Georgetown University, DC Fire & EMS, DC Department of Health, and the Georgetown community.  Georgetown University President John DeGioia spoke about the meaning of GERMS in the University community and Vice President for Student Affairs Todd Olson thanked GERMS for the service it provides to the University community.  Our chaplain, Fr. Sal Jordan, SJ, blessed the ambulance before it was placed in service.

Georgetown University President John DeGioia speaks about the meaning of GERMS in the community.

Vice President for Student Affairs thanks GERMS for the service it provides to the community.

Fr. Sal Jordan, SJ blesses Unit 9.

Unit 9 Arrives on Campus

 Today, Unit 9 arrived on campus to the excited cheers of many GERMS members.  It was driven from DPC Emergency Equipment in Marydel, Delaware to Georgetown by Sam Adelman, the VP of Operations, JW Blaney, the Director of Ambulance Operations, and Colin Brody, the President.  The Hoya visited the GERMS Office to learn more about the new truck.  To read the whole article, visit http://www.thehoya.com/news/germs-acquires-new-ambulance-1.1962634.

To see a video tour of the ambulance, see below!

Unit 9 Final Inspection

Today, we traveled to Manasquan, New Jersey to complete the final inspection of Unit 9.  The staff at the PL Custom factory was extremely excited to sign the ambulance over to GERMS.  See below for pictures from the final inspection.  Additional photos are posted to our Facebook album here.

Unit 9 Update #6

The new ambulance is almost complete!  The electrical, oxygen, and suction systems are now fully operational! 

GERMS Boasts Highest Pass Rate on NREMT Exam

According to figures released today by the District of Columbia Department of Health, students in the GERMS EMT-Basic courses during the 2010 calendar year had an outstanding 90% pass rate on first attempts at NREMT certification, increasing to 95% within three attempts.  As a comparison, the national average is 68% on the first attempt, and 77% within three attempts.

The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) is a non-profit organization founded in 1970 whose mission is to serve as the national EMS certification organization by providing a valid, uniform process to assess the knowledge and skills required for competent practice required by EMS professionals throughout their careers.  To read more about the NREMT and its examinations, please visit the website at www.NREMT.org.

All active members of GERMS are certified at the national level by the NREMT, and licensed at the state level by the DC Department of Health.  The DC Department of Health now requires any new or recertifying EMT to obtain NREMT certification as a condition of licensure in the District.

GERMS Featured in 2010 GU Campus Plan

Projected map of GU based on 2010-2020 Campus Plan

Today, University leaders filed Georgetown’s 2010-2020 campus plan with the District of Columbia Zoning Commission, outlining modest proposals for growth within existing campus boundaries over the next decade.  Under D.C. law, Georgetown must file a campus plan every ten years to outline future Main Campus and Medical Center infrastructure projects and development.  Within the document, Georgetown University referenced GERMS specifically as a community resource that benefits all members of the Georgetown community, including students, faculty, staff, visitors, neighbors, and the District of Columbia at large.  The document reads,

"Student community activities likewise benefit the community in many, often unnoticed, ways. A notable example is GERMS (Georgetown Emergency Response Medical Service), a Georgetown University student-run volunteer ambulance organization that serves the Georgetown community, offering – entirely free of charge – 24/7, year-round rapid-response medical services, treatment and transport. GERMS responds to over 1,000 calls annually."

We are honored to have been mentioned in this extremely important document that will ultimately shape the future of Georgetown's campus modification over the next ten years.  We are also proud to say that we have been serving the Georgetown community (and beyond!) for 29 years, and we intend to continue to do so well into the future!  To read the entire campus plan submitted to the D.C. Zoning Commission, please click here.