SVAC Seniors to the Rescue

*This article contains images of fake injuries that some readers may find disturbing or unsettling

A tone blared across the loudspeakers of the SVAC headquarters: Motor vehicle accident; mass casualties. Anxious glances were exchanged among the senior options students as they rushed to the scene, accompanied by flashing red and blue lights.

Each year, seniors are required to complete a six-week unpaid internship to graduate, and some choose to participate in SVAC’s senior options certification program. As a part of the program, students learn anatomy and physiology, practice skills, and go on calls with licensed EMTs and Paramedics. The program is organized by David Raizen, the President of SVAC, who wanted to provide Scarsdale students with the opportunity to build a medical background. This year’s course was taught by Jude Valerioti, the president of Eastchester Volunteer Ambulance Corps (EVAC).

The students participated in a final surprise “farewell” event, where they responded to a mock bus accident at Crossway Field. Alex Vetrone stated that “We got the dispatch in the ambulance house… and to our surprise, there was a staged bus crash with our parents playing all the victims.” As a part of the event, the students had to triage and coordinate how to transport each patient to the hospital. The aspiring EMTs were able to get most of the patients into the ambulance, although Vetrone is “…not sure if Maya’s dad was ever found. He was under the school bus and might still be there actually.”

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The program received high praise from many of its participants, who learned not only how to manage medical emergencies but also how to interact with patients. According to Amelia Liu, “I learned that interacting with patients requires a lot of people skills, and that you have to be really good at interacting with all different kinds of patients. Sometimes it’s really easy… you just take them to the hospital. But other times, they might not be behaving rationally.” Liu went on to give an example: “You might get a patient who really needs to go to the hospital, but they refuse to go. So, you have to be really good at knowing how to convince them and how to talk to certain people in the right way.” Ultimately, the common sentiment among the program’s participants is that as an EMT, you must do your best to help your patients make the best decisions about their lives.

Liu went on to recommend the course to others because she “Will probably practice these skills throughout [her] life, even though [she’s] not looking into a medical career.” SVAC runs year-long certification programs that require no prior medical experience. Those interested in becoming certified EMTs should visit the SVAC website to explore their offered programs!