The 33rd annual North Carolina Paramedic Competition will take place Sunday, May 4, at the Joseph S. Koury Convention Center. Six groups from across the state will compete for the title of Top Paramedic Team during the annual NC Emergency Medical Services Expo.
Last year’s champions, Harnett County EMS, will be defending their title against five regional champion teams: Cape Fear Valley Cumberland EMS, Mecklenburg EMS and Whiteville Rescue as well as two Surry County EMS crews. These teams each won their respective regional competitions held on March 14 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 mock emergency event that is a closely guarded secret. It is part of the 50th annual NC Emergency Medical Services Expo, which runs from Friday, May 2, through Wednesday, May 7.
Each paramedic group will face a scenario carefully designed by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Emergency Medical Services team, in collaboration with the competition’s medical advisor Dr. Bryan Kitch. The goal is to present a life-like situation, often with an unexpected twist, that may resemble what teams may encounter in a routine emergency response. The groups are challenged to complete a rapid but thorough assessment of the scenario and provide appropriate treatment of all involved patients within a set time limit.
The competition serves as a training opportunity for competitors and the many paramedics, emergency medical technicians and medical directors who closely observe each team's response to the scenario. Teams are graded on their professionalism, communication, patient rapport, conduct, attitude, appearance and clinical management. The judges panel includes emergency medical services professionals from South Carolina, all with extensive EMS backgrounds.
The winning team is selected based on the panel’s scores and will be announced Tuesday, May 6, at the Emergency Medical Services Expo awards banquet.
What: 33rd annual North Carolina Paramedic Competition
When: Sunday, May 4
Noon-4 p.m. (first team competes at 12:45 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
The annual paramedics’ championship competition is co-sponsored by NCDHHS, the NC 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. Learn more about the Office of Emergency Medical Services on their website.