With intentions to help, a group of student volunteers are willing to do all they can for their peers in need. Thousands of student have already joined the volunteer squad to lend a helping hand to fellow students.

Around 10,000 students are volunteer emergency medical technicians (EMTs). According to Dr. Scott Savett, spokesman for the National Collegiate Emergency Medical Services Foundation, these student volunteers are on more than 250 college campuses across the country.

There has been a considerable increase in the number of students volunteering as EMTs and paramedics lately. Campus squads are growing too, Dr. Savett noted.

These ambulance corps, however differ in size as well as scope - While several of them are independently run student organizations, some are part of the respective college's public safety department, and few of these are a part of the locality's volunteer squad. This, however does not stop the zealous student volunteers from working as a team for the benefit of their campus communities.

These dedicated volunteers leave behind their personal lives and rush to help in situation such as a car crash, a chemistry lab accident or an allergic reaction - these volunteers offer help to students in need, even if they're someone they've never met.

Although their roles as student volunteer EMTs demand sacrifices, these dedicated volunteers enjoy their service.

Drexel University's student-run volunteer EMS organization comprises nearly 65 members and it holds a license to give first responder service on the Philadelphia-based University's campus. The squad, however is unable to transport patients by itself and so it calls for an ambulance from the city's fire department when a patient needs to be rushed to the hospital.

A sophomore nursing major at Drexel University, Jennifer Rios volunteers for her campus' squad.

Happy with her decision to join Drexel EMS in my freshman year, Rios told USA Today College this was one of the best decisions she has ever made.

Drexel's volunteer EMTs not only receive support and guidance from the campus's public safety department, but they also get medical direction from the university's medical school and a local hospital.

Noting about her involvement in collegiate EMS, Rios said the best part about it is the ability to make a difference in the community and being there to lend a helping hand to peers in need. Although her participation in collegiate emergency medical services demands a lot from her as a student, Rios said knowing their efforts will ensure more safety on the campus is what keeps her and others in the squad going.

Rios also pointed out that through volunteering, she came across some of the most warm-hearted and committed people.

The student volunteers reap rewards for their service in forms of free or reduced-price housing and tuition to student first responders, however their motivation is clearly helping their peers in need.

Topics Students, Health, Campus