Cannon's EMT Rodeo branded a success

Published Oct. 14, 2009
By Senior Airman Elliott Sprehe
27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The fall season offers football, falling leaves and beautiful scenery. Lesser known during this time of the year is the annual Emergency Medical Technician Rodeo, hosted Oct. 2 by the 27th Special Operations Medical Group, now in its third year here.

Since its inaugural in 2007, Cannon's EMT Rodeo has expanded from local Cannon teams to this year's hosting of more bases, some of which were a part of U.S. Air Forces in Europe.

All told, five major commands were represented through seven different bases. Teams from Ramstein Air Base and Spangdahlem AB, Germany made the long hop across the pond and competed against bases from across the United States.

Shaw AFB, S.C., Langley AFB, Va., Lackland AFB, Texas, and Kirtland AFB, N.M., also competed throughout a long day of challenges, both mentally and physically demanding.

Events included a basic life support skills scenario, a trauma scenario, and a medical scenario.

Getting teams to the competition, which consisted of various Emergency Medical Technician-specific events such as extracting a patient down stairs, completing an obstacle course and an EMT trivia challenge, was no easy task in itself.

"I contacted the Air Force EMS coordinator," said Master Sgt. Andrea Lee, 27th Special Operations Medical Operations Squadron. "Through him, all the MAJCOMs were informed."

Sergeant Lee, along with other "Mighty Medics" from Cannon, began preparing months in advance for this year's rodeo.

"It's a chance for other bases to get together and have a friendly competition with each other as well as hone their skills," said Sergeant Lee, adding that bragging rights also come with winning the competition.

Friendly bragging rights went to Lackland AFB's Wilford Hall Medical Center, Texas, last year, though this year would prove different as first place honors were taken home by Kirtland, with Cannon's Family Medicine team placing second.

"The Cannon folks have been very welcoming," said Tech. Sgt. Charles Wortman, of Spangdahlem. "It's been a great opportunity and we're thankful for them having us, especially for them doing this on their own time (the event took place all day on a Saturday)."

Sergeant Lee's goal is to have the Air Force take charge of the event with the chance of future EMT Rodeos held at other bases. She also aspires to see something similar at the Department of Defense level where different services could compete against each other.

The annual event created a great opportunity to hone skills, network and continue professional education in a friendly, competitive environment. Once fall hits next year, Sergeant Lee hopes to see even more teams from different bases come to Cannon's 27th SOMDG for the fourth annual EMT Rodeo.