County paramedic team ready to compete for state title
Sept. 20--The duo of Robbins and Kirk will represent Davidson County as they compete against five teams in the state competition. The event, which is open to the public, will be held from noon to 4 p.m. at the Joseph S. Koury Convention Center/Four Seasons Hotel. Competing teams are sequestered and are called out one-by-one, each facing the same mock emergency scenario and judges who grade their performance until time is called on the competitors, according to a news release from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
Robbins and Kirk last competed in the state championship together in 2009 and fell short of the title. They are hoping to be named the state's top team when they compete against the defending state champs Leland Fire/Rescue in Brunswick County and teams from Rowan, Surry, Pender and Cumberland counties. Each of the teams challenging the defending champs won regional competitions in July at community colleges in Cumberland, Gaston, New Hanover, Surry and Wake counties.
The scenario that these teams will face has been designed to challenge them with a true-to-life situation, often with a twist that may resemble what they could encounter in a routine response, the news release stated. They are challenged to complete a rapid but thorough assessment and appropriate treatment on the spot.
The competition provides a training opportunity not only for the competitors but for the 400 or so paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians watching from bleachers who closely observe each team's analysis and reaction to the scenario, the news release further stated. Teams are judged on professionalism, communication, patient rapport, conduct, attitude, appearance and attire.
Robbins and Kirk were last-minute replacements to represent Davidson County in the regional competitions. This year's original team had to back out due to scheduling conflicts. Robbins said he and Kirk's experience of working and competing together should be a benefit at this year's state competition.
"I hope to go in there and get the state championship," Robbins said.
The major enjoys the camaraderie that comes with meeting the other teams from around the state. Robbins acknowledged there is some pressure while competing in the event.
"You have the whole crowd looking at you," he said. "There could be 400 people in the bleachers. You just have to block out that audience and not think about them being there watching you."
Kirk and former Davidson County paramedic Shane Wilkins won the competition in 2000. Kirk is a part-time paramedic with Davidson County and owner of 911 eLearning Solutions LLC, a company that provides online education for fire, rescue and EMS personnel.
"I don't think you could put any more pressure (on yourself) even in real life," Kirk said, referring to the state competition.
Kirk explained the vast majority of the audience watching the competitors are paramedics and physicians.
"They know absolutely everything you are doing," he said. "Aside from the very first team to go through, they have now seen the scenario multiple times. They are all critiquing what you are doing and why you did it."
Davidson County Emergency Services Director Larry James is pleased to have Robbins and Kirk in the state competition.
"I'm extremely proud of these guys, especially winning the regional basically with no preparation," the director said. "They had to step in and fill the gap of the crew who had to drop out at the last minute. ... It's very exciting."
The competition is part of the 40th annual Emergency Medicine Today Conference. The winning team will be announced Oct. 1 at the conference awards banquet.
Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 217, or at darrick.ignasiak@the-dispatch.com. Follow Darrick on Twitter: @DispatchDarrick.
Copyright 2013 - The Dispatch, Lexington, N.C.
