IU-EMS - History

History

Here you can learn about IU-EMS' history as it has developed as a student organization over the last two decades. Select one of the following academic years to learn more about IU-EMS' development during that year:

1993-1994

University EMS professionals from around the nation establish the NCEMSF (National Collegiate Emergency Medical Services Foundation, new window) to provide a community for newly emerging university EMS organizations. The foundation holds its first national conference April 8th-10th, 1994, at Georgetown University, with more than 20 university EMS groups in attendance.

NCEMSF Conference 2004

1994-1995

Scott Savett (new window), a first-year chemistry graduate student, founds IU-EMS with the dual names IU-EMS and INSERT (Indiana Student Emergency Response Team) as a student group within the HPER (School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, new window).
IU-EMS establishes two primary goals which are still held today: providing education to members of the university community, and establishing a campus first response service.
IU-EMS holds its first meeting on Thursday, November 10th, 1994.
IU-EMS joins the NCEMSF.

1995-1996

Savett transfers to Clemson University to pursue a graduate degree in analytical chemistry.
IU-EMS attends the NCEMSF's second annual conference November 3rd-5th, 1995, at Villanova University, with more than 30 university EMS groups in attendance. This is the first conference at which IU-EMS is in attendance.
IU-EMS proposes a comprehensive campus emergency medical plan, Prehospital Care and Crisis Intervention at Indiana University, to the university's administration.

1996-2000

IU-EMS continues to function with limited operation.

2000-2001

A team of members "restart" IU-EMS after several preceding years of limited operation. The entire year consists primarily of reorganization efforts.

2001-2002

IU-EMS begins providing medical coverage for the IU Dance Marathon and replaces athletic training students as the provider of medical coverage for the annual IUSF Little 500 season, including all practices, special events, and both the women's and men's races. These acquisitions signal the addition of providing coverage at campus events as IU-EMS' third primary goal, and such coverage quickly becomes the most prominent function of the organization.

IUSF Men's Little 500 2007

2002-2004

IU-EMS continues to pursue membership expansion, expansion of events for which it provides coverage, and expansion of educational efforts.

2004-2005

IU-EMS ceases being a student group in HPER and incorporates into IUSF (Indiana University Student Foundation, new window), the parent organization for the Little 500, and by far IU-EMS' largest contracting organization. This change increases IU-EMS' budget and reduces IUSF's Little 500 expenses associated with IU-EMS coverage.
IU-EMS holds its first mock vehicle accident in an effort to encourage the university's students to make responsible decisions during Little 500 week. The event would later evolve into the In an Instant event that IU-EMS presently holds.

In an Instant 2006

2005-2006

The executive board (officer board) updates its structure to meet the changing nature of the expanding organization, instituting new officer positions and removing the officers' duality of roles (use of military-style ranking, see the officer roster page for more information).
IU-EMS adopts an initiative for membership expansion, increased member and public education, increased public awareness efforts, and more information availability and dissemination to its members, primarily through a redesigned website.

2006-2007

The executive board undergoes the transition year to its new structure, being temporarily led by three co-presidents.
IU-EMS provides coverage at Circle of Life's first annual Mini-Marathon (new window).
Several IU-EMS members obtain certification as instructors in first aid, CPR, and AED administration as part of the organization's initiative to expand public education efforts.
IU-EMS launches the new version of its website with vital functionality.

Circle of Life 2006

2007-2008

The executive board implements its new structure.
IU-EMS ceases being incorporated with IUSF, and becomes an independent student organization with the university's SAO (Student Activities Office, new window).
IU-EMS is officially incorporated as a non-profit organization with the state of Indiana on September 19th, 2007.
IU-EMS successfully obtains a comprehensive insurance plan to cover the increasing number of events that it provides coverage at, as well as the first response service it is attempting to establish within a small number of years.
IU-EMS is officially registered with the Indiana EMS Commission as a non-transport BLS (basic life support) EMS provider on May 2nd, 2008.
IU-EMS begins to offer numerous first aid, CPR, and AED courses to its members as well as to members of the general public.

2008-2009

IU-EMS begins minimal summer operation prior to the 2008-2009 academic year by providing coverage at the first annual Coach Hep Indiana Cancer Challenge (new window) and by replacing BHAS as the provider of medical coverage at the annual Taste of Bloomington (new window).

IU Dance Marathon 2006