EMS AT GWY
OCTOBER 28-29, 2024
THE CHEROKEE CONVENTION CENTER
CHEROKEE, NC
All sessions will be held in the Cherokee Convention Center, with registration opening at 7:30 a.m. If you’re in Cherokee Towers, face the front desk, turn left, and take the escalator to the third floor. Go straight ahead to find our registration table. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Conference Sessions & Agenda
Monday, October 28, 2024
Cherokee Convention Center
$40 if affiliated with a NC agency
$110 if unaffiliated or out of state
*Conference admission fee is exempt ($40) when you book a hotel room during registration.*
7:30 am
Check-in
8:00 am
Welcome
8:15 am
Resilience on the Run: Harnessing Biofeedback for EMS Stress Management
In the high-stakes world of EMS, stress is inevitable. This presentation offers practical solutions to this challenge, focusing on the tangible reduction of stress through biofeedback techniques. Learn how biofeedback can help paramedics monitor and control physiological responses to stress, resulting in reduced anxiety, improved mental clarity, and enhanced job performance. Discover how biofeedback can be utilized in the moment to transform stress into strength, ensuring our EMS professionals remain healthy, focused, and ready to save lives.
Dalton Barrett
9:10 am
9:15 am
Enhancing Procedural Competency in Pre-Hospital Medical Education: Evaluating Training Modalities
This lecture focuses on enhancing procedural competency in pre-hospital medical education by critically analyzing various training modalities, including E-Learning, part-task trainers, and perfused cadaveric tissue. Participants will gain a balanced overview of each modality’s unique strengths and challenges, providing valuable insights into their integration into education programs. The goal is to strategically utilize these tools to maximize students’ skills and confidence, preparing them effectively for the rigorous demands of the field.
Erik Crouch
10:00 am
Break
10:15 am
When Worlds Collide: Interacting with Followers of Traditional and Alternative Medicine
This session explores the intersection between EMS practice and the increasing use of traditional or alternative medicine by an estimated 38% of adults and 12% of children in the U.S. Attendees will learn about the challenges of respectfully interacting with patients who use these health modalities, drawing on survey responses from both practitioners of traditional/alternative medicine and EMS clinicians. The presentation will also discuss common herbal remedies encountered in the field and their interactions with conventional emergency medications, enhancing EMS clinician preparedness for diverse medical scenarios.
William Sykes
11:10 am
11:15 am
Acute Skin Color and Condition Changes in Persons with Rich Melanin
This educational session aims to enhance attendees’ ability to identify and interpret skin color and condition signs related to acute illnesses and injuries in individuals with rich melanin, highlighting differences compared to those with lighter melanin. Through case studies, PowerPoint presentations, and interactive discussions, participants will deepen their understanding and acquire valuable educational resources to teach colleagues and students. This session is designed to equip healthcare providers with the necessary tools to improve diagnosis and care in diverse populations.
Justin Padgett
12:00 pm
Lunch
1:30 pm
The Power Behind Stellar Customer Service in EMS
This session explores the critical role of customer service in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and its profound impact on patient experiences, provider well-being, and overall operational effectiveness. We will discuss the integration of customer service skills into EMS training programs and ongoing education to enhance patient satisfaction, improve outcomes, and foster community trust. By emphasizing skills such as empathy, communication, and stress management, this presentation aims to show how superior customer service can complement medical expertise to elevate the effectiveness and perception of EMS providers.
Kathia Gent
2:25 pm
2:30 pm
The Benefits of Community Paramedicine Involvement in Hospice and Palliative Care
This presentation will explore the significant benefits of Community Paramedic intervention in Hospice and Palliative Care, highlighting how it enhances patient outcomes by allowing them to remain at home, prevents hospital-acquired infections, and improves their overall quality of life through education. Attendees will also learn about the advantages to their agencies, such as reduced call volumes, increased morale, and fostering interest in Community Paramedicine. Furthermore, the session will discuss the job satisfaction Community Paramedics experience in this role, including expanded scopes of practice, new skill acquisition, and the implementation of a multidisciplinary approach.
Mike Campbell
3:15 pm
Break
3:30 pm
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Nikki Hudson
4:25 pm
4:30 pm
What is a Para-god and Do We Create Them Ourselves!?
This session delves into the challenges posed by overconfident newcomers in the EMS field, exploring how educators, administrators, and coworkers can identify and mitigate potentially dangerous behaviors. We will discuss strategies for improving integration and training in the classroom to prevent these issues before they reach the field. Additionally, the session will examine the psychological aspects influencing such behaviors and offer practical solutions for fostering a culture of humility and continuous learning.
Carl McKnight
5:15 pm
Open Forum & Summary
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Cherokee Convention Center
7:30 am
Check-in
8:00 am
You’re Basic
This session addresses the growing reliance on BLS crews due to increased call volumes and challenges in maintaining ALS services, exploring the unexpected resistance and complications that arise with integrating more EMTs. We will discuss the prevailing attitudes among EMTs who undervalue their role, examining how ALS providers’ responses might contribute to this mindset and exploring ways we might have failed to properly empower our EMT workforce. The presentation will offer new training strategies to develop strong, independent EMTs, essential for advancing the EMS profession.
Annie Ryder
8:55 am
Transition
9:00 am
Life is a Highway: The Connection Between Generational Differences, Toll Booths, and the Flow of Traffic Down the EMS Highway
This session navigates the philosophical EMS highway, mapping the journey from the beginning of an EMS career to the destination of retirement. Participants will explore how generational differences influence whether we speed along in the fast lane or proceed cautiously in the slow lane, and how these varied speeds impact the profession. Join us to discuss these dynamics, the bottlenecks that slow us down, and strategies to navigate around the professional toll booths that can hinder our progress.
Justin Preddy
9:55 am
Break
10:10 am
Minding the Gap: Revolutionizing EMS Education for a New Generation
This presentation brings together three former high school educators turned community college instructors who are committed to reshaping EMS education to meet the diverse learning needs of a new generation of EMS providers. Drawing upon their extensive experience, the speakers will share innovative teaching strategies including hands-on activities, visual aids, and instructional scaffolding—to create a dynamic, inclusive educational environment tailored to various learning styles. Emphasizing a learner-centered approach, they aim to cultivate a supportive classroom culture that encourages students to take ownership of their learning and bridge the gap in EMS education in the post-pandemic era.
Brook Cox, Kim Miller & Ashton White
11:05 am
11:15 am
Designing and Sustaining a Practical QA Program
This session will delve into the essentials of an effective Quality Assurance (QA) process in the workplace, highlighting the necessity of timely implementation and the various personnel options involved. Participants will learn about the specific training required for QA personnel, with a special focus on enhancing communication skills. Additionally, the presentation will cover methods to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of a QA program, ensuring continuous improvement and accountability.
Richard Stump
12:00 pm
Lunch
1:30 pm
Active Shooter in EMS
Delve into the Rescue Task Force (RTF), a critical component of emergency response, by exploring its definition, origins, and strategic configuration designed for optimal trauma care and emergency management. This session will cover the roles of RTF personnel, communication protocols, the essential use of ballistic protective equipment, and practical insights on implementing the RTF within your service. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the RTF’s operational effectiveness and learn how to harness its capabilities to enhance their own emergency response strategies.
Max Boswell
2:25 pm
2:30 pm
Saving Ourselves
This comprehensive session explores the critical issue of mental health among first responders, addressing the unique challenges they face due to their high-stress roles. Through an in-depth analysis, attendees will learn about common mental health issues such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, understand their signs and symptoms, and explore effective coping strategies and support mechanisms. The presentation will also highlight organizational support practices that can foster a supportive work environment, featuring case studies and real-life examples to illustrate successful interventions and programs.
Brad Lawson
3:15 pm
Break
3:30 pm
Resiliency in EMS
Explore the historical significance of the “Peace Pipe” in Native American culture, traditionally used in negotiations and to ease tensions, and its metaphorical application to the modern high-stress environment of EMS. This session titled “Pass the Peace Pipe – Addressing Resilience in EMS” delves into how EMS professionals can manage stress and combat the stigma associated with mental health issues within the field. Join us for a compelling presentation that offers insights and strategies for fostering resilience in one of the nation’s most demanding occupations.
Chris Pegram
4:25 pm
4:30 pm
Mindset over Matter