Why Volunteer?
The University of Delaware Emergency Care Unit (UDECU) is comprised of nearly 50 dedicated student volunteers. These students advance through a rigorous training process to become nationally certified EMTs and obtain licences to practice as EMT-B’s in the State of Delaware. Many members obtain EMT-B certification prior joining and can have licences in other states. Through a regimented promotional process, our members strive to become a Cleared Technician. UDECU members come from a variety majors and diverse backgrounds. They have the opportunity to run for executive board positions while becoming operationally proficient in the field of EMS.
The University of Delaware Emergency Care Unit (UDECU) is an award winning, student run volunteer organization, committed to excellence in its mission of providing professional emergency medical care to all persons on the University of Delaware Campus. In addition to serving the UD campus, UDECU responds to emergencies in the surrounding community of Newark when needed.
Volunteering on an ambulance is a great experience. As a member of UDECU you’ll get the opportunity to serve the University and surrounding community to make a difference in the lives of others. You’ll learn valuable skills that will serve you well in life.
More Great Reasons to Join UDECU:
- Gain Valuable Experience
- Meet New Friends
- Develop Leadership Skills
- All Training is Provided
Although Nursing and Pre-Med majors find UDECU is a great place to practice their patient assessment skills, all UD students are welcome, regardless of major.
Membership Requirements
There are five basic requirements for UDECU members. First, applicants must be full-time matriculated University of Delaware students. Second, UDECU requires a minimum of eighteen hours (18) per month of duty. Members who only complete the minimum required monthly hours do not see many advancement opportunities within the organization. Third, members must attend membership meetings held on the first Sunday of each month. Fourth, all members are required to attend one monthly training session. The final requirement is within one year of becoming a full member, each member must be a certified Delaware Emergency Medical Technician.
Upon acceptance, you will become fully involved with the organization. During your probationary period of one semester you will become familiar with how the ambulance and equipment operates, become certified in CPR, and assist with patient care by riding along on actual ambulance calls. For the period that you are a probationary member, you will be assigned a current member as your field trainer. Your field trainer will assist you in familiarizing you with the ambulance, equipment and procedures used by UDECU.
At the conclusion of the probationary semester, probationary members will be evaluated by the Supervisors and they will determine if the probationary member has met the requirements to become a full member. Cuts to the probationary class can occur at any time.
Apply Online
Each semester, the University of Delaware Emergency Care Unit (UDECU) opens its application process in hopes of recruiting UD students with a drive and passion for helping others. At the end of the recruitment cycle, select student applicants will be invited to join the organization as probationary members. Applicants are neither required nor expected to have experience in EMS and students from all graduating classes will be considered for membership.
About the process:
If you wish to apply for membership, start by completing the entire application below. While it may be lengthy, the finer detail helps us ensure we invest our time and money in the right applicants. Unfortunately, the process is extremely cmpetitive and only about 50% of applicants will be asked to sit for a formal interview. Typically, less than 20% of those interviewed will receive an offer for probationary membership.hip.
The selection process to become a member of the University of Delaware Emergency Care Unit (UDECU) is an extremely competitive endeavor that requires our agency to identify the most highly motivated applicants for membership. An overwhelming number of qualified applicants will be competing for a limited number of positions. Our community expects and demands that we enlist only those individuals who possess the highest degree of impeccability in terms of personal background, judgment, maturity, integrity, and credibility.
The University of Delaware Police Department conducts a thorough background investigation on all potential members, inquiring into their suitability for service with the program. The University of Delaware Emergency Care Unit will not consider individuals for membership who are less than honest and forthright. The information provided will be verified during both the interview and background investigation. Any information that is knowingly withheld will be identified.
Should you be offered full membership, you will be expected to attend and graduate from an NREMT approved EMT-B course and obtain your Delaware EMT license. You will be required to pay for all training upfront and will be reimbursed as you hit various achievements in our program.
Questions can be directed to the Administrative Coordinator, Sarah Buckingham (sarahmb@udel.edu).
Applications are currently open!
The Probationary semester will be primarily in-person training. At this time, we are only able to accept candidates who would be able to commute to our on-campus station for weekly in-person trainings.