Georgia Tech is partnering with Grady Health System’s emergency medical services team to reduce ambulance response times on campus and in the immediate area.
A pilot partnership has Grady EMS parking a vehicle at the Georgia Tech Police Department (GTPD) headquarters at the corner of Hemphill Avenue and 10th Street. The ambulance is staffed by Grady employees, including those who are also members of EMS at Georgia Tech, a registered student organization of certified emergency medical technicians (EMTs).
By having a vehicle on campus, Grady EMS can respond quickly to emergency calls both on campus and in nearby areas.
“We know in an emergency that every second counts,” said GTPD Chief Robert Connolly. “Having a satellite vehicle on campus will help us prioritize our campus community and get medical staff on the scene of an emergency as quickly as possible.”
The partnership began with the start of the fall semester on Monday, Aug. 19. EMS at Georgia Tech helped spearhead the program along with Campus Services. EMS agencies exist at 243 colleges across the country and provide clinical opportunities for participants, in addition to reduced ambulance wait times for the community.
The ambulance is staffed from 1 p.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week. GTPD accompanies the ambulance to any emergency response on campus.
GTPD can be reached 24 hours a day at 404.894.2500, through the LiveSafe app, or from emergency blue phones on campus. Calling 911 will dispatch callers to the Atlanta Police Department (APD). Both GTPD and APD work with Grady EMS for response.