By Leila Merrill
NEW YORK — For the first time, an all-female FDNY paramedic team will compete in the JEMS Games this week.
“It’s about time,” said EMS Lt. Allison Shaughnessy, who is based in EMS’ Haz-Tac Battalion. “EMS is about 50/50 females to males, and it’s about time females will get the recognition that they can do this job and do it well and put a light on that.”
She and Monica Lewis, Natalia Alzate and Meagan Valicenti have been preparing to compete, the New York Daily News reported.
FDNY is also sending an all-male paramedic team.
“From what we understand, there will be one medical scenario, then a trauma and a MCI (mass casualty incident) scenario and a computer-based test,” Shaughnessy, 38, said. “If we make it to the finals, it will be a bigger scenario with a lot more patients.”
The competition is part of the 2022 Journal of Emergency Medical Services Conference and Expo.