MEDIA ADVISORY — The 32nd annual North Carolina Paramedic Competition will take place Sunday, April 28, at the Joseph S. Koury Convention Center. Six groups from across the state will complete for the title of Top Paramedic Team, including the reigning champions Pender EMS. The competition occurs during the annual NC Emergency Medical Services Expo.
Pender EMS will be defending their title against five regional champion teams: Cape Fear Valley LifeLINK Air, Harnett County EMS, Mecklenburg EMS (two teams) and Surry County Emergency Services. These teams each won their respective regional competitions held in March in Brunswick, Catawba, Cumberland, Johnston and Surry counties.
The competition brings each team out of sequestration and into a ballroom – set up with bleachers full of their peers — to respond to a scenario that is a closely guarded secret. It is part of the 49th annual N.C. Emergency Medical Services Expo, which runs from Friday, April 26, through Wednesday, May 1.
Each team will face a scenario carefully designed by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Emergency Medical Services staff, in collaboration with the competition’s medical director Dr. Bryan B. Kitch. The goal is to present a life-like situation, often with an unexpected twist, that may resemble what they could encounter in a routine emergency response. Teams are challenged to complete a rapid but thorough assessment of the scenario and provide appropriate treatment of involved patients.
The competition serves as a training opportunity for the competitors as well as the numerous paramedics, emergency medical technicians and medical directors who are closely observing each team's analysis and reaction to the scenario. Teams are judged on professionalism, communication, patient rapport, conduct, attitude, appearance and attire. The panel of judges is comprised of emergency medical services professionals from North and South Carolina.
The winning team is decided by the panel of judges and will be announced Tuesday night, April 30, at the Emergency Medical Services Expo awards banquet.
What: 32nd annual North Carolina Paramedic Competition
When: Sunday, April 28
Noon-4 p.m.
Where: Joseph S. Koury Convention Center/Four Seasons Hotel
3121 W Gate City Blvd.
Greensboro, NC 27407
Media: Credentialed media are welcome but requested to stay outside the scenario perimeter and refrain from flash photography during the competition. The audience is prohibited from taking photographs or video during the competition.
Contact: Mick Stewart 919-410-1875 or Chuck Lewis 336-957-0020
The annual paramedics’ championship competition is co-sponsored by NCDHHS, the N.C. College of Emergency Physicians and participating community colleges. Through the Office of Emergency Medical Services, NCDHHS works to foster emergency medical systems, trauma systems and credentialed EMS personnel to improve responses to emergencies and disasters.