Ride-along in EMS-1

Call 9-1-1 for help, and UCLA’s ambulance unit (EMS-1) will likely be the first to arrive on scene to render aid, determine what is needed, and coordinate with UCLA Police and LAFD paramedic ambulance services. “When you are first on scene,” explains EMT Matt Guarino, “you see how someone’s expression changes when you arrive and know that your presence makes an impact.”

EMS-1 responds to over 1,700 calls each year, providing basic life support (BLS), welfare checks, and emergency medical response to UCLA’s medical facilities. The response area includes campus and parts of Westwood Village, areas Matt says they “know like the back of our own hand.” EMS-1 routinely responds to calls on campus, the Hill, University apartments, and the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.

UCLA students, staff, and visitors may request a ride-along in EMS-1 to observe and learn more about UCLA Emergency Medical Services. I spent an afternoon in June riding with EMT Matt Guarino and his colleague EMT Cliff Danza.

When the first call came in, UCPD Dispatch gave EMS-1 a heads-up and Matt and Cliff made their way to the ambulance. They project confidence and calm. Matt explained, “It’s something different every day; you have to stay on your toes.” Both Cliff and Matt are EMT certified, so they take turns being the Lead EMT on each call – the lead is always in the passenger seat and the second drives. Cliff explains that his experience as an EMT has helped him to become more assertive and responsible-skills that extend to other things.

As EMS-1 arrived on scene, Matt and Cliff approached the patient, a hit-and-run victim, with respect and professionalism, asking questions, checking vital signs, and notifying UCPD Dispatch to request LAFD due to the nature of the accident. Once LAFD arrived on scene and assumed responsibility for the patient, Cliff and Matt loaded the equipment and immediately restocked supplies in the ambulance–EMS-1 must always be at-the-ready for the next call.

That’s fortunate, as the second call came in as EMS-1 was leaving the first call. LAFD had already responded to the call, but Cliff explained that EMS-1 will respond to any open call to assist as needed. EMS has a highly collaborative, effective working relationship with LAFD. UCPD Dispatch makes the initial determination to send either EMS-1 or LAFD on a call, but then the units work together to render aid and transport patients.

When EMS-1 returned to the police station, Matt and Cliff had to complete their least favorite task—paperwork! After each call, EMTs complete a “run sheet”, recording the details of each incident. While on duty, EMTs assist UCPD between calls, staffing the front desk, taking police reports, and coordinating the campus lost and found program.

This afternoon, that front desk work had to be put on hold due to another call from UCPD Dispatch. EMS-1 was called to respond to a patient in distress at the medical center, where they provided emergency medical responses and transportation from the patient’s location in the med center to the emergency department.

Cliff and Matt displayed such a high level of competence, confidence, and professionalism that I had to remind myself that they are students. Clearly, the EMS program provides an experience that impacts the student staff both professionally and personally. UCLA is fortunate to have an emergency medical services unit staffed by passionate, dedicated, and highly-trained student EMTs.

Left to Right: Cliff Danza, Maintenance Coordinator (Undergraduate Student, Physiological Science)
and Matt Guarino, Training Supervisor (B.S. Biochemistry, Spanish minor, June 2019)
 

EMT ride-along information