Harpur`s Ferry SVAS: A Collegiate Marvel

One of the most popular student organizations on New York State's Binghamton University Campus is the Harpur's Ferry Student Volunteer Ambulance Service. Founded in 1972, the student-run group serves not only the university campus, but supplies mutual aid to the neighboring communities of Binghamton, Johnson City and Vestal.

According to public relations coordinator Joshua Parsons, Harpur's Ferry responds to nearly 500 calls per year, with a volunteer staff that averages 140 members at any given time. It is, says Parsons, one of only eight collegiate EMS agencies in the country to offer full-time ALS response, and one of few to provide 12-lead monitoring capability to patients. It may also be one of few volunteer groups in the country that has no problem with recruitment.

"We had about 140 applications last semester, and we could only accept 25," says Parsons. "It's probably one of the most competitive student organizations to get into on campus, and it's definitely the largest."

Students begin their first semester on the squad with a 72-hour Advanced First Aid & CPR course, then advance to the EMT program the following semester. Many students continue to the 360-hour AEMT-Critical Care class. All training costs are subsidized by the state. Members are required to attend a monthly meeting, keep their immunizations up to date and take at least one shift per week, which consists of 3-4 hours, says Parsons.

The service operates 24/7, when school is in session. A real bonus for campus residents, faculty and other employees is that no one pays for the ALS-capable ambulance service.

A great source of pride for Harpur's Ferry SVAS is its recently purchased 2003 Wheeled Coach Type 3 ambulance, which boosts its fleet to two ambulances and two first responder fly cars. In addition to the ambulance, the service owns state-of-the-art equipment, including two new LifePak 12 cardiac monitors.

"Most funding for equipment comes from student fees," Parsons explains. "Out of the activity fee paid by each student, $4 comes to us. We also do some fundraising. We taught a CPR course last semester that was open to students, faculty and campus employees, and we charged for that. Since the instructors are squad members, we only had to pay for supplies."

Between calls and school, Parson's primary focus is currently on putting together a directory of Harpur's Ferry alumni, who number somewhere around 1,100, and organizing a dedication ceremony for the new ambulance and cardiac monitors.

To learn more about Harpur's Ferry SVAS, visit www.harpursferry.org.