Founded in 1981, Tulane Emergency Medical Services is integral to Tulane University and the greater New Orleans area. Members of the organization have provided free medical services for decades, and their efforts save nearly $250,000 per semester in ambulance fees. 

As the Wall Street Journal recently announced, Tulane’s reputation as a party school precedes it. However, the majority of TEMS calls have nothing to do with intoxication.  

Administrative Captain of TEMS Fabian Clifford recounted a memorable wellness check incident that involved the Tulane University Police Department. “We had a student who was on the phone with their parents and they fell asleep,” Clifford said. “Their parents were worried and called TUPD, and then TUPD called us. He just fell asleep on the phone.” Fortunately, this call was considered “no medical complaint” because the student was in good health. However, not every response is as simple to resolve. 

In the fall of 2023, TEMS reported receiving 344 calls. They divide this data into subcategories based on the nature of the emergency. For example, “miscellaneous medical” constitutes the majority, with 21.1% of all calls falling in this category. “This is abdominal pain, headache, things of that matter,” Clifford said. “Intoxication was only 11%.” Other notable categories include “injury and laceration” at 17.9%, “nausea and vomiting” at 7.1% and “behavioral and psychiatric” at 6.3%.  

While the distribution of calls has not fluctuated much in recent years, the volume of calls is steadily increasing. With 344 calls in the fall semester, “it comes out to three a day,” Clifford said. “Of course, there's times like Mardi Gras, where that's going to really inflate our numbers. One shift last year had 14 calls during Mardi.” During Mardi Gras, TEMS provides support on parade routes, so their area of service is expanded. Tulane also provides the crew with secondary transportation so they can respond to on-campus calls. 

Additionally, TEMS transported 53% of all their calls to hospitals. That is nearly 183 people who received free transportation to a medical facility. In New Orleans, the base fee for emergency medical services assessment and transportation is between $975 and $1,796 per person. The total cost increases as more supplies and procedures are administered. TEMS is crucial for student safety and guarantees that every student can receive quality medical care without financial burden. 

In case of an emergency on campus, call (504) 865-5911 to reach Tulane Emergency Medical Services. They operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, when the university is open. “We're there to check you out and make sure that you are genuinely okay,” Clifford said. Every member of TEMS is certified as a basic or advanced emergency medical technician. TEMS responds to a wide variety of medical emergencies from abdominal pain to motor vehicle accidents. Their comprehensive training ensures they can provide appropriate care for a wide range of emergencies.