The first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere is marked by the winter solstice, which occurs on Tuesday, December 21, 2021, at 10:59 A.M. EST.įor the northern half of Earth (the Northern Hemisphere), the winter solstice occurs annually on December 21 or 22. “They take their jobs very seriously.Advertisement When Is the First Day of Winter? “I’m very impressed by their professionalism,” he said. The fact that they’re doing it on a volunteer basis is incredible.”Īssistant Police Chief John Freese said he hopes to increase Highlander EMS’ involvement on campus, suggesting they could be available through an emergency text system. “Their eyes, their ears, their skill sets are invaluable. “They live here they’re in the dorms they’re embedded in the community,” Mahaffey said. Matt Mahaffey, UCR’s emergency management coordinator, said the EMTS are an invaluable resource and could eventually serve as an emergency response team that can assist in case of an emergency. Miller said the team is hoping to get designated as a first-responder agency by Riverside County and take part in ride-alongs with American Medical Response.

The members also help out with educational campaigns such as the Stop the Bleed training through UCR’s Office of Emergency Management. The team members keep on top of their medical skills with monthly two-hour training sessions. Most of the cases they’ve handled involved alcohol intoxication, although they also had some burn cases at the Bonfire, they said.īy providing on-site assistance, the student EMTs reduce the need to call for ambulances for less serious cases, providing both a financial savings and reducing the load on the emergency response system, said Chris Miller, the faculty advisor for Highlander EMS and director of operations at the Center for Simulated Patient Care at the School of Medicine.Īnother advantage is that some students feel more comfortable being treated by fellow students, he said.

“It was our first time using our licenses as EMTs,” Li said. He and Derek Li, assistant director of the group and a junior studying biochemistry, formed Highlander EMS after working last year with AMR as emergency medical technicians at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts and Stagecoach festivals. “That’s what we’re trying to provide for people who are here on campus.” “Being out in the field is completely different from EMT school,” Yeung said. They say they’re gaining valuable practical experience while considering careers in health care or public safety.ĭaniel Yeung, director of Highlander EMS, talks with a AMR associate supervisor, as they wait for possible patients during the Winter Soulstice on February 26, 2020. At others, like the Homecoming Bonfire, they’re the closest trained medical responders available.ĭaniel Yeung, director of Highlander EMS and a senior majoring in biology, said the idea behind the group was to give students with Emergency Medical Technician, or EMT, certification a chance to practice their skills while helping the campus.

The students began working with the UCR Police Department and the UCR Office of Emergency Management, providing basic life support medical services at large campus gatherings.Īt some events, like Soulstice or Block Party, Highlander EMS assist the American Medical Response team, or AMR, hired by the campus. The UCR School of Medicine-sponsored group was formed last August. Members of the Highlander EMS sort through their bags of medical supplies as they wait for possible patients during the Winter Soulstice on February 26, 2020.

Winter soulstice ucr