Durham College (DC) faculty first responders and first-responders-in-training from the School of Justice & Emergency Services (JES) took first-place honours at the National Paramedic Competition on April 7.

In the annual competition, which was held for the first time at Canada’s Wonderland this year, 34 teams from paramedic services and college across Ontario faced a written test and six simulated patient scenarios designed to highlight extreme situations and challenge teams to use their training, knowledge and critical thinking skills to solve problems and manage competing patient priorities.

Up against 15 college teams, DC Paramedic students Carley Schillings and Laura Ellis surpassed their competition to take first place. One scenario presented two patients with critical injuries—one having fallen from a railing, the other suffering an anaphylactic reaction. The scenario required the team to split up with limited resources and provide adequate care to both patients.

Also competing at the college level, Paramedic students Corey Beal and Jon Reid took second place by managing to diagnose and treat a patient experiencing an adrenal crisis–a rare medical condition. The patient presented in a vague way and required intensive investigation to create the correct diagnosis and treatment plan.

Competing against seven teams, Durham Region paramedics and DC professors Dale Button (Paramedic) and Matthew Walton (Firefighter – Pre-Service, Education and Training) took first place together in the Advanced Care (professional) category. The team particularly enjoyed a scenario where a patient fell out of a tree holding a saw. The simulated accident resulted in several serious injuries and a hunt to find a missing eyeball.

Congratulations to the entire JES team!

Learn more about the competition and view a complete list of winners.