Washington University Emergency Support Team

The Emergency Support Team, or EST as it is known on campus, is a student-run, all-volunteer EMS team that serves the Washington University community 24/7 during the fall and spring semesters. At least 2 of the 3 medics that respond to every emergency call are Missouri EMT-B licensed. All EST medics are CPR certified. EST is equipped to handle all medical emergencies ranging from cut fingers to major traumas and cardiac arrest. EST is a BLS squad and contracts to the Clayton Fire Department for paramedic assistance and emergency hospital transport. The Washington University Police Dept. provides non-emergency hospital transport.
Founding and History
EST was started in the fall of 1979 by a group of students and faculty in order to provide 24/7 volunteer medical services to the Washington University community. The group was originally called SHOUT, which stood for Students Helping OUT. SHOUT was created due to concerns over the medical training and response times of the local St. Louis EMS agencies at the time. Among its supporters, Dr. Mary L. Parker, former Director of Health Services and co-founders Terry Chazan and David Levy were the most active. The members of SHOUT, about twenty students and staff, were dispatched by the University Police Dept. via voice pagers. SHOUT responded to calls in a golf cart affectionately named "The Cushman," which was equipped with trauma kits, oxygen tanks, splints and ice packs.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s SHOUT continued to grow and was eventually renamed EST. The team's membership and call volume increased dramatically, along with members' training and community trust. The teams began using alphanumeric pagers and, over time, responded to calls in a number of different vehicles. Such vehicles include a Subaru Brat, GMC Jimmy, Jeep Cherokee, and a Ford Explorer.
Equipment
EST medics respond to calls in a white 2011 Ford Explorer equipped with flashing lights to increase visibility. The EST truck holds hundreds of pounds of important life-saving gear that includes, but is not limited to: 2 "jump bags," 2 oxygen bags, AED, backboard, stair chair, crutches, burn box, OB/GYN kit, environmental bag, splints bag, disaster bag, PPE bag, suction kit, and others.
Training
All medics are either Missouri licensed EMT-Bs, or working to obtain licensure. Through continually training and testing, EST members maintain the highest level of expertise and readiness for the Washington University community. When new medics are accepted onto the team, they can begin taking duty after passing a CPR test and completing a truck usage tutorial.

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