The Drew Public Safety team is going national with a new certification program that ensures the same training for police and university officers nationwide.

Drew's officers are now required to take 120 hours of emergency training, in addition to the 36 hours previously required, and receive the same training as emergency rescue teams.

"Public safety officers are the first responders on the scene in all campus medical emergencies," said Thomas Evans, director of public safety. "Participation in the EMT school helps ensure that these officers provide the very best first aid assistance to our students and to all of our Drew
community members."

The training, conducted by Elizabeth General and Trinitas hospitals, began in April and concluded in July with the final of eight exams the officers had to pass–the state certification exam. Of the 120 hours of training, five were conducted in the emergency unit of the hospital, and an additional five in the mobile intensive care unit. Chris Lysy, the EMTB Coordinator of Trinitas Hospital, instructed the officers in the training course.

Officers will now be able to help in a number of emergency situations, including the delivery of a child, assistance with asthma medication, burns, and spinal injuries. They will be the first line of defense until paramedics arrive. Captain Harry Garlick of Drew University Public Safety emphasized the advanced level of this training, stating that most police departments and universities are switching over to the national training.