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Air Force Medical Service hosts 9th annual EMT Rodeo

Highly-trained crews from across the world competed in 17 events testing their EMS skills

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Emergency medical technicians carry a simulated patient as part of the Commando Challenge during the 2016 EMT Rodeo at Melrose Air Force Range, N.M., Aug. 25, 2016.

U.S. Air Force Photo/Senior Airman Luke Kitterman

By EMS1 Staff

CLOVIS, N.M. — The Air Force’s top EMT crews gathered at Cannon Air Force Base Aug. 24 - 27 to compete in the 9th annual Air Force Medical Service EMT Rodeo.

What began as a small base-wide competition among Cannon AFB medics evolved into an annual competition. This year, 24 teams of four highly-trained medics competed for the title of “best of the best.”

“In events like these, aspiring technicians prepare year-round for this Air Force-level competition,” said Staff Sgt. Carol Hubbard, EMT Rodeo project NCOIC. “Competitions such as these give our Airmen an opportunity to demonstrate their skills, while at the same time up-keeping their proficiency should they have to utilize their skills for a real-world situation at their home station.”

The EMT Rodeo planning committee created a simulated deployed environment near the base using smoke grenades, gunfire and other distractors meant to mimic a high-stress scene. For added realism, teams were also airlifted in a CV-22 Osprey.

Medics competed in 17 scenarios to demonstrate their skills. Each medic who participated in the competition also knocked out about half of their annual requirements towards NREMT certification.

The team from Eglin Air Force Base in Florida took first place, and received a perfect score on the Commando Challenge. Second place went to the team from Offutt AFB, Nebraska, and third place when to the team from Shaw AFB, South Carolina.