In the late 1970's, concerns began to surface at Washington University regarding the response time and training levels of emergency medical crews from the St. Louis metro region. As a result, in the fall of 1979, a group of students, faculty and administrators formed a student-run, volunteer medical squad that would be on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for the entire Washington University community. With the wisdom, support and guidance of supporters, most notably Dr. Mary L. Parker, former Director of Health Services and co-founders Terry Chazan and David Levy, SHOUT was born. SHOUT (Students Helping OUT), as the group was first named, consisted of twenty students and staff with varying amounts of emergency medical training.

They were dispatched via University Police using "voice pagers," and responded in a glorified golf cart known as 'The Cushman.' They equipped themselves with trauma kits, oxygen tanks, splints and ice packs, in addition to starting annual disaster training and providing "special coverage" crews for large campus events. During the 1980s, the team moved up on campus, turning in the Cushman for the infamous Subaru Brat, followed by the Jimmy, the Cherokee, and our current Ford Explorer. The university gave EST an office in the early 1980s in Dauten.

Since the early 1990s, EST has continued to earn and retain the trust of the campus and seen a resulting rise in the number of calls.

With the members of the team growing progressively each year, the EST office moved from Dauten to the now-current Lien basement in 2008. Our Ford Explorer carries bags filled with advanced airways, oxygen tanks, suction units, medications, and an array of vitals and trauma equipment.

The services we provide have grown tremendously, as we now provide special coverage for various on-campus events and organizations, host various public health related classes, and collaborate with other community-partners to expand our mission of providing equitable healthcare to all.

With a team consisting of more than 70 members under the medical direction of Dr. Cheri LeBlanc, numerous presentations and awards at the National Collegiate Emergency Medical Service Foundation Conference, and increased collaboration with WUPD, Clayton Paramedics, and the University, EST has become an integral part of the community and welfare of the student body at Washington University in St. Louis.