UTD University Emergency Medical Response (UEMR): “Ready to Respond!”

Who We Are?

The University Emergency Medical Response (UEMR) is a student-led EMS organization that provides 24/7 medical response at the University of Texas at Dallas. Founded on the values of service, education and preparedness, we train and certify students as EMTs while also leading campus-wide health initiatives that empower peers to prevent emergencies before they happen.

Our Public Health Division focuses on bridging emergency response and community wellness. Over the past year, we’ve launched projects that directly impact student safety, including the installation of Narcan access cabinets across residence halls and the hosting of CPR education at UTD’s first Preventive Health Fair. Together, these efforts make UTD one of the few campuses in Texas with a comprehensive, student-led emergency preparedness program.

What Is Our Project?

This year, we’re expanding our efforts through “Ready to Respond!”, a public health campaign focused on alcohol overdose awareness and bystander education.

College life often involves social environments where alcohol is present, and while many students know the signs of intoxication, few are confident in recognizing or responding to alcohol poisoning, an emergency that can quickly turn fatal if not addressed. Our goal is to change that.

Through Ready to Respond!, we will host interactive tabling events, mock call demonstrations and mini-training sessions where students can learn how to:

• Recognize the warning signs of alcohol overdose.
• Place someone in the recovery position.
• Call for help confidently and provide first aid until EMS arrives.

We’ll also launch a “Know the Signs!” initiative, featuring QR-coded posters around campus that link to short UEMR-created videos, where real responders discuss what to do if a friend becomes unresponsive.

By combining hands-on training with accessible education, this campaign transforms emergency readiness into an approachable and empowering experience for students.

Why It Matters

Alcohol poisoning is one of the most common preventable causes of medical transport among college-age students. But these emergencies are rarely due to recklessness  —  they’re due to uncertainty. Many bystanders hesitate to call for help, unsure of what’s serious and what’s not.

UEMR is in a unique position to change that narrative. We are not just responders; we are peers. We’ve been on the other end of those calls, and we’ve seen how a few seconds of action, such as rolling someone onto their side, checking for breathing or simply calling 911, can save a life.

“Ready to Respond!” is about transforming fear into confidence, stigma into compassion and bystanders into helpers.

Fundraising Goal and Use of Funds

Our fundraising goal is $500. These funds will directly support the educational and interactive components of the “Ready to Respond!” campaign, including:

• Printing and design for educational signage and QR posters ($50).
• Supplies for hands-on training and mock call simulations ($200).
• Incentives and materials for peer trainers and event participants ($200).
• Promotional and video production costs ($50).

Stretch Goal ($800): Expand the project to include “Find the AED,” a QR-based campus safety scavenger hunt that teaches students AED locations and emergency procedures, directly tying into our CPR education outreach.

Our Impact

When we reach our goal, we will:

• Educate over 1,000 students through on-campus and online engagement.
• Increase awareness of alcohol poisoning prevention and emergency response.
• Strengthen the culture of safety and wellness on the UTD campus.

This project doesn’t just equip students with knowledge: it fosters a mindset of community responsibility and peer care. Every trained student becomes a potential life-saver.

Why Support Us?

UEMR represents the best of student-led public service at UT Dallas: collaboration, innovation and care in action. Our team responds to hundreds of emergency calls each year and dedicates thousands of volunteer hours to community health education.

Through “Ready to Respond!”, we aim to extend that service beyond the ambulance and into everyday student life, where readiness begins with awareness.

Your support will help us make UT Dallas a campus where everyone feels empowered to act when it matters most.

Follow UEMR on Instagram @utduemr

Visit our website: https://police.utdallas.edu/programs-and-services/uemr/