Regina Godette-Crawford, chief of the N.C. Office of Emergency Medical Services (left) and the winning paramedic team from Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center AirCare.
GREENSBORO – The AirCare team from Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center gave the top performance at 25th annual Paramedic Competition co-hosted by DHHS’ Office of Emergency Medical Services, the N.C. College of Emergency Physicians and partnering community colleges.
It was the third championship for the team of Roger Horton and Barry McMillian, who also took top honors in 2009 and 2010 when they were employed by Surry County EMS.
The competition was held earlier this month at the Joseph S. Koury Convention Center during the Emergency Medicine Today
Conference, which brings together North Carolina paramedics, EMTs and
county emergency services medical directors.
“All of the contenders are really winners. They are the
best of the best and are on the cutting edge in emergency medical
response," said Regina Godette-Crawford, chief of the N.C. Office of
Emergency Medical Services. "We offer our special congratulations to this
year’s winners, the Wake Forest AirCare Team.”
Competition consists of teams of paramedics from across the state who assess,
treat and stabilize victims of the contest scenario in 14 minutes while their
peers and conference attendees observe. Teams are judged on professionalism,
communication, patient rapport, conduct, attitude, appearance and attire.
More than 40 teams representing 25 counties and 27 paramedic services competed in preliminary rounds held in July to establish five regional champions that competed in the championship round held during the conference: defending champions from Rowan County EMS, Wake Forest Baptist’s AirCare and the four other regional winners: Davidson County ES, Davie County EMS, Leland Fire and Rescue and Stokes County EMS.
Through the Office of Emergency Medical Services, the Department of Health and Human Services fosters emergency medical systems, trauma systems and credentialed EMS personnel to improve responses to emergencies and disasters.
– Scott Coleman