Rodeo wranglers answer EMT call

Published Oct. 16, 2008
By Airman 1st Class Elliott Sprehe
27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Emergency Medical Technician "cowboys" mounted up and rode to Cannon from all over the Southwest during the Columbus Day weekend to take part in the second annual EMT Rodeo.

The rodeo, which involved six four-man teams participating in various medical-related events, hosted local EMTs as well as EMTs from Lackland AFB, Texas, and Kirtland AFB and Holloman AFB, N.M.

The first rodeo, held in 2007, consisted only of EMT teams from Cannon, so the inclusion of different bases and the Cannon fire department added a fresh spin on the day of friendly competition.

"We've had to tailor it a little bit differently this year," said Master Sgt. Jannessa Force, 27th Special Operations Medical Operations Squadron. "Because other bases honored us by joining in and ambulance [medical supplies] are not the same, we had a variety of supplies laid out so that (Cannon) didn't have an advantage."

Some of the events held included a basic life support skills scenario, a trauma scenario, medical scenario and a stair chair, where a victim needed to be evacuated from the third floor of the medical clinic.

"It was a lot of fun," said Senior Airman Sarah Hodgkin of Kirtland AFB. "We got to practice a lot of our skills that we may not get to do very often in the clinic."

As much as the rodeo was designed to be a competitive, fun event, it was also a day for Airmen from different bases to meet each other and get a view of how different EMTs respond to the same scenarios.

"It's designed to showcase the life-saving skill sets that our (EMTs) have," said Col. Ken Hall, 27th Special Operations Medical Group commander. "It provides an opportunity for like-minded medics to network, build relationships and show who's the best of the best."

Though all the participants proved they were fully qualified in their skills, only one team would be deemed the rodeo champion, with first place honors going to the team from Wilford Hall Medical Center, also known as the 59th Medical Wing, at Lackland.

"It's nice to see where Lackland stands compared to other bases," said Airman 1st Class Cory Plunkett of Lackland. "And knowing we're on top and that we're going to stay on top."

Three other bases were able to attend this year's rodeo, but Cannon's medical group hopes to include civilian medical first-responders and more bases in the future.

"It would aid in our response with homeland defense and disaster response because we have to coordinate with local communities in order to provide any type of medical care in a homeland or disaster situation," said Chief Master Sgt. Stephanie Powell, 27th SOMDG superintendent.

If an incident occurred off base and civilian medical personnel requested assistance from base EMTs, there are restrictions regarding the help available.

"There are more things I can do on base than I can off," said Sergeant Force.

"I'm limited to EMT protocols off base," said Sergeant Force, which includes restrictions such as not being able to make the suggestion to civilian EMTs to begin an IV.

Having the opportunity to coordinate with civilian first-responders in a friendly competition like a future EMT rodeo allows a better understanding for both military and civilians about the role that each would play during a casualty incident.

"My goal is to continue expanding the invitation to other bases," said Sergeant Force, who mentioned that as the rodeo continues to grow, she'd like to see other bases host it.

"It was a good learning opportunity for those who haven't been through a rodeo before," said Senior Master Sgt. William Cisna of Holloman, whose team took second place in the competition. "Hopefully, we can rotate around to different bases in the future."

As many of the EMTs from the other bases echoed his call, everybody still has a year to continue to train for next year's rodeo, wherever it's held.

"We appreciate the opportunity to come out," said Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Miller of Lackland. "It was, by all means, well worth the trip."