National Conference on EMS

 • Each team will consist of two (2) members both of whom must function in a pre-hospital setting. ALS Teams may include nurses or paramedics. BLS Teams must be EMTs only. One member of each team shall be the team captain. Physicians are not allowed as team members. The team captain (crew 1) shall participate in all team activities and shall be the spokesperson and primary contact for the team.

• Teams are to supply their own equipment that is commonly available and used in the pre-hospital environment. All medications must be labeled for simulation use only. If a team is utilizing saline filled syringes in lieu of medications, they must be clearly labeled with the name of the medication, concentration and simulation use only. No handwritten labels will be accepted.

• Equipment may be inspected prior to the competition and may be sequestered until the competition begins.

• Teams are responsible for the safe disposal of all sharps/needles. Please bring appropriate sharps container to securely transport used sharps.

• No charts, drug cards, rulers, pocket guides, forms, or electronic reference devices will be allowed. Use of such items during the contest is grounds for disqualification. Length/weight based pediatric guides ARE allowed.

• No equipment with the exception of a stethoscope, personal issue scissors, clamps, or other equipment normally found in a holster may be carried on a team member’s person. All equipment must be approved by the competition coordinator prior to commencement of the competition.

• All team members shall be in uniform and wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment. (PPE), which includes a minimum of gloves and eye protection. PPE must be used at all times during the scenario. Masks will be required at all times due to COVID precautions. Teams may don PPE after the dispatch information and prior to entering the scenario.

• Procedures will be carried out in as realistic a manner as possible and may include simulators or simulated patients (live participants) or any combination of both.

• Medication administration shall take place in real time. IV infusion rates will be monitored. All procedures will be performed unless specified by the Chief Judge for that scenario.

• Patient management elements will only be scored if they are actually performed. Verbalization while completing the skill is encouraged.

• Requests for back up or assistance from other agencies must be requested if required. You will be advised at the time of request as to the availability of such resources.

• No radios, pagers, computers electronic devices, or cellular phones, or other communication devices will be allowed in the competition areas. Use of such items during the contest is grounds for disqualification. Additionally, no recording can be used to challenge the final scenario decision.

• All team members must be registered attendees of the National Conference on EMS to be eligible to compete.

• Team members may be sequestered; however, participants may attend the Conference during non-competition time.

• The competition will start at the designated time. All teams must be in the designated area at least fifteen (30) minutes prior to their designated start time. No equipment may be opened prior to the start of the competition unless specified by the Chief Judge for that scenario.

• A maximum time of 15 minutes will apply for the preliminary scenario and a maximum of up to 25 for the final scenario. Time to complete the scenario or to the initiation of an intervention within the scenario may be used to determine a winner in the case of a tie. Failure to complete the scenario within the time limit will result in point deductions for that scenario.

• All disputes must be reported IMMEDIATELY in writing after the team completes their scenario. Disputes will not be accepted after 10 minutes concluding the scenario. In a case of dispute regarding patient care the Chief Judge for that scenario shall render the final decision.

• Competitors will be judged based on NJ State Protocols. Any procedures or actions by a team member outside the scope of a New Jersey ALS or BLS provider, will be reviewed by the judges for accuracy and appropriateness related to the scenario. Point penalties will occur for procedures that are not indicated or inaccurately executed.