The Student Emergency Response Team (SERT) is proud to celebrate its 20th anniversary this year.
SERT was founded in 1989 by student Robert Garland and the late Student Health Services Medical Director Dr. Thomas Macfarlane in response to Robert’s encounter with a non-breathing patient on campus in 1988.
Dispatched by Campus Police, SERT responds to all 9-1-1 calls on the main, Huron and Brescia campuses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during the academic school year and from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays during summer months.
SERT has the privilege of being recognized by the Ministry of Health as part of London’s tiered emergency response network, and it works closely with campus and city emergency services.
Averaging 450 calls per academic year, SERT is as busy as ever and has projected responding to 500 calls this year.
“Over the years, SERT has grown and adapted to an ever-dynamic campus community,” says Executive Director Lisa Donnelly. “Our successes are owed to 20 years worth of selfless volunteers.”
It hasn’t been easy for SERT in the last couple of years, though.
In December 2007, SERT suffered the sudden and profound loss of founding Medical Director Tom Macfarlane.
“Dr. Tom” as he was affectionately known, was SERT’s greatest advocate, mentor and friend. Many SERT responders remember him not only for his contributions to the team, but for the way he fostered such close relationships with each team member on a personal level.
It is because of Dr. Tom’s dedication of Health Services funding that SERT was able to obtain a brand-new response vehicle this year.
To better serve an expanding campus and increased call volume, SERT has added a second response vehicle, a black Toyota Tacoma pickup truck, to its response arsenal this year. Easily recognizable with SERT’s logos on all sides, the new truck has allowed SERT to carry larger equipment than previously: spinal boards, vehicle extrication equipment and extra supplies.
Their beloved Polaris Ranger (called the “SERT Response Vehicle” or SRV) continues to be in service in a more limited capacity, and will be used primarily for event response.
In the spirit of Dr. Tom, SERT members have continued to keep their training at a high level. This year, all SERT members have undergone a lengthy upgrade of their certifications to the Canadian Red Cross Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) level. In addition to an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and supplemental oxygen, SERT currently carries symptom relief drugs in the form of epi-pens, ventolin and ASA, and has protocols to administer nitroglycerin and employ glucometry when necessary.
SERT continues to be a Canadian Red Cross Authorized Provider, and in addition to regular Standard First Aid and CPR C/AED and First Responder courses, it now also offers Leadership Development (Instructor) courses.
Revenue from first aid courses comprise the majority of the funding for the team’s response. The team will celebrate its 20-year milestone with a reunion of all team members on March 28.
To learn more about SERT, visit www.sert.uwo.ca.