Image
The concept of a university-based Emergency Medical Service at Rice University began shortly after Mark Escott (Jones ’96) matriculated in 1991. This was a difficult idea to sell to the University, which lies across the street from the largest medical center in the world. After examining the lengthy response times of the municipal EMS service, the University was convinced that in a serious emergency this delay could be life-threatening. REMS was then established in 1995 and began emergency response operations on October 4, 1996. Just eight days later, REMS responded to its first cardiac arrest, which resulted in the service’s first CPR save. Continuous university support and funding have made REMS’ operations possible throughout the years.
How did we actually wind up securing final approval for the program? There wasn’t a single moment where it instantly happened, although one of the seniors on my floor during my freshman year convinced me it’d be a good idea to go to the old university president’s house, right across the street from Jones, at 9:00 pm one night and knock on President Gillis’s door to ask him directly. That got his attention, and he became a tremendous supporter of the program.
Noah Reiter (Jones ’99, founding member)
REMS is also responsible for EMS operations outside of daily campus coverage. REMS provides coverage during many university events to ensure the safety of the community. These include varsity athletic games, university social events, and college-sponsored public parties. REMS also works in conjunction with the Rice University Police Department, Houston Fire Department, and Harris County Emergency Corps to provide patients with continuous care and transport patients who need more intensive care to the nearby Texas Medical Center.
REMS has been crucial to keeping Rice and, at times, the surrounding area safe during major events and incidents. Staffing presidential visits, providing campus coverage during Hurricanes Ike and Harvey, working to help Katrina evacuees at the Astrodome, providing care for patients during the 2021 winter storm, and helping to keep campus safe and distributing vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic are just some of the contributions REMS has made.
REMS continues to demonstrate its dedication to maintaining a high standard of care and professionalism through its education program. In 1996, REMS began offering a for-credit EMT certification course. In 1998, the Advanced EMT certification course was added, and REMS became an ALS service in 2006. REMS now also offers an EMS research course and a leadership course for incoming Incharge leadership teams. REMS is also licensed to provide its EMTs with continuing education to maintain their high level of clinical competency—REMS offers 50-75 hours of this training annually, and close to 2000 hours of training are earned by REMS members each year!
Another way that REMS maintains campus safety is through the CPR/AED program. REMS offers CPR/First Aid classes to Rice community members in order to ensure that as many people as possible are well-trained in the event of an emergency. REMS also maintains the AEDs around campus, another vital part of keeping everyone on campus safe.
The REMS leadership structure has changed throughout its history. In its first years, REMS had supervisors on every shift along with Duty Crew. A few years into the program, one Captain and two Lieutenant roles were introduced, and these positions now had specific focuses, such as Special Events and Education. In 2005, the first Incharge position was added, intended as a clinical supervisory role. More Incharges were added, and Incharges eventually took on diverse administrative Lieutenant positions. Today’s undergraduate leadership team consists of Incharges with Captain, Senior Lieutenant, and Lieutenant roles, as well as Assistants and Coordinators who are responsible for various functional areas.
It’s always been about being there to serve our fellow Rice students and the Rice community. I found a place that I fit in and could give back to the community…I don’t think I would have gotten to where I am without all the lessons and experiences I had with REMS, and I still think back on those memories today during calls I have as a paramedic.
Gabriela Barrios (Hanszen ’18, Field Training Lieutenant)
Continuing in the tradition of REMS’ founding members, REMS alumni are strongly involved in the organization. Graduates in Houston often stay on as instructors, educational preceptors, and event staff, and REMS is fortunate that its alumni continue to stay involved. Alumni also take on important positions within REMS; Dr. Cameron Decker (Martel ‘07), the REMS Medical Director, is a former REMS Captain! REMS is also extremely grateful to its part-time staff, vital to the education program, who work in EMS in Houston.
REMS is an active member of the National Collegiate EMS Foundation. Because of its excellent patient care and best practices, REMS is acknowledged with the Striving for Excellence award by the NCEMSF every three years. REMS also values the important relationships with other collegiate EMS organizations as they provide resources and opportunities to improve REMS’s care.
REMS is able to function because of the contributions of its undergraduate members. Volunteering with REMS gives students a unique opportunity to develop patient care skills, grow in their communication and leadership capabilities, and work with a team in emergency situations. The abilities developed within REMS help its members to excel after graduation in professional fields including medicine, public health leadership, and education. REMS undergraduates’ unwavering commitment to protecting the Rice community has helped the organization strive for excellence for 25 years and counting.
I want people to know that what they do matters. REMS builds a fundamental understanding of emergency care and gives a good foundation for how things are going to change as you go forward—you’ll be able to look back on your experiences with REMS and use them to handle future situations better.
Faroukh Mehkri (Martel ‘12, Field Training Lieutenant)