Emergency care
Student-run University of Delaware organization celebrates 35 years
1:40 p.m., April 14, 2011--The University of Delaware Emergency Care Unit (UDECU) is celebrating accomplishment, honor, hard work and compassion in this, its 35th anniversary year.
The UDECU is a registered student organization and works in cooperation with UD’s Office of Campus and Public Safety. Comprised of more than 40 selfless, passionate student volunteers, UDECU provides teaching, emergency and medical services to fellow students and anyone within the Newark community. On average, student volunteers respond to 500 emergencies each year.
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“The primary purpose of this organization is to protect against casualty and loss of life, and to provide emergency medical care to all persons on the University of Delaware campus and neighboring communities,” says UDECU member Anthony Prizzi. “The secondary purpose is the continued education of our membership in the field of emergency medical care.”
UDECU is a student-run organization, which gives a particular sense of pride to those who are a part of it. Coupled with that is the sense of family instilled in people who work together so closely on a daily basis. “I think every member of UDECU will agree that their favorite aspect of UDECU is the fact we are one giant family,” says Allison Sobeck, a member of the organization.
Over the past 35 years, UDECU has won awards and been recognized for its achievements, with honors such as Outstanding RSO from the University and EMS Organization of the Year from the National Collegiate EMS Foundation. Most recently, UDECU received the National Collegiate EMS Foundation Video of the Year Award. The video submitted embodies the organization and its character.
“Our 35th anniversary means a lot to anyone who has ever been a part of the organization and really shows where hard work can get you,” Sobeck says. “We started out as an organization made of a few students who had an old van and a desire to help the community. Now we are well-known in the state and respond to, as well as care for, hundreds of emergencies.”
To get involved in UDECU, applications are accepted at the beginning of each fall semester. The ambulance service UD-1 can be reached 24/7 while the University is in session. Anyone who needs medical assistance should call 911 immediately, or 302-831-2222 from a University phone.
Article by Kayla Codina
Photo by Ambre Alexander