First responders convene at the annual “EMS at the OBX” conference at Jennette’s Pier
Nearly 100 first responders from North Carolina and Virginia gathered at Jennette’s Pier for the fourth annual “EMS at the OBX” conference. The event, which attracts various emergency services personnel, serves as an educational platform for EMS providers to earn about 14 hours of continuing education credit.
Walter Meads, the EMS program coordinator at the College of the Albemarle, noted the significance of the conference, which this year included representatives from East Carolina University’s Brody School of Medicine and ECU Health Medical Center. These organizations brought a mobile healthcare simulation unit, allowing first responders to gain hands-on experience in scenarios they might not encounter in their regular duties.
Erika Greene, pediatric trauma program manager at ECU Health Medical Center, emphasized the value of practicing skills in a controlled environment. “It’s such an amazing opportunity to be able to run through a scenario that you may see in real life, but in a safe space,” she said.
The conference also serves as a networking event, highlighting the collaborative nature of emergency medical services. Jennie Collins, chief of Dare EMS and MedFlight, explained how emergency responses involve teamwork amongst various public safety agencies. She expressed the importance of uniting for the benefit of patients, regardless of whether it’s in training or on the streets during a real emergency.
Collins also provided an update on Dare County EMS’s recent deployment to assist in western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. Two teams undertook four-day missions in Rutherford County to support local efforts in the aftermath of the storm. Collins noted the severe devastation faced by the communities affected and stressed the value of providing relief to overwhelmed local services.
“As we have experienced here in the Outer Banks with storms, we understand the importance of supporting each other in times of need,” Collins said. The gathering also offered a sense of normalcy amid the ongoing recovery efforts associated with the hurricane.