UCLA established the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) unit in 1978. Initially, UCLA Police Officers who were dispatched for medical services had to return to the police station to get the ambulance and then respond to the call for help. In the early 1980s, UCLA PD began hiring students with Emergency Medical Technician-1 (EMT-1) certification to staff the ambulance and provide basic life support services to the campus and neighboring communities.
Baxter Larmon, professor emeritus of emergency medicine at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine (pictured at right with EMT Kate Reiss), has devoted more than 45 years to emergency medicine. He was the founding Director of the UCLA Center for Prehospital Care and was instrumental in establishing the EMS unit at UCPD. Prof. Larmon retired from the University in 2016, but continues to be actively involved at EMS as their Medical Coordinator, providing training and consultation to the EMT team.
Tom Reynolds (pictured at left) has been managing and mentoring the EMS team since 2008 and takes great pride in their dedication, passion, and professionalism. Tom acknowledges that EMTs are students first, but they are also highly trained professionals who respond to many 9-1-1 calls and are often the first to arrive on scene to render aid. In addition to academic course work, EMTs are required to fulfill continuing education (CE) training requirements to maintain EMT certification. Working for EMS is demanding but also rewarding, explains Tom, “EMTs develop confidence and people skills. They persevere, succeed, and leave EMS as better people.”
EMS is available 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, and responds to more than 1,700 medical aid requests annually. EMS also staffs athletic events, concerts, commencement ceremonies, and other special events on campus. Between calls, EMTs perform various duties within the UCLA Police Department, including staffing the front desk, taking police reports, and coordinating the campus lost and found program.
Get to know our EMT team
