Columbia University Emergency Medical Service (CU EMS) is a student-operated, New York State-certified, Basic Life Support volunteer ambulance corps.

We provide prehospital emergency medical care, free of charge, to Columbia University's Morningside Heights Campus, and the surrounding area, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Originally known as CAVA (Columbia Area Volunteer Ambulance), we have been serving the Columbia Community since 1968. The corps currently hs approximately 45 active members and responds to over 800 emergency calls per year. Whether you are a Columbia affiliate or merely an interested web surfer, we hope you find this website informative and useful.