Top paramedics compete in Ferno Sim Challenge
Australasia’s top paramedics assembled at Auckland University of Technology (AUT) to compete in the annual Ferno Sim Challenge – a world-class, high-fidelity, emergency response simulation designed to test their mettle and clinical skills.
Five teams from Australia and New Zealand stepped up to the challenge before an international audience of their peers.
The emergency scenario, which was shrouded in secrecy until competitors went on stage, was an assassination attempt at a political rally.
Each team had 20 minutes to respond to multiple gunshot wounds, a cardiac arrest and a highly disruptive suspect in police custody.
The challenge is based on High-fidelity Patient Simulation (HPS), which uses computerised mannequins to simulate real-life scenarios.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to walk the talk. And, because simulation is such a large part of our programme, it also informs our teaching,” says Luke Summers, Programme Leader, Paramedicine at AUT.
He competed alongside Stuart Cook and Duncan Christie as Team AUT. All three teach at AUT South Campus and work as paramedics in the field.
Many of their students were watching from the audience.
Brody Mangos, who is currently completing the second-year of a Bachelor of Health Science (BHSc) in Paramedicine, says it’s great to see how top paramedics perform under pressure.
“There are so many distractions at the scene of an emergency. For me, this is a reminder that you’ve got to move to the side and focus on what’s important – treating your patients,” he says.
This is the first time the competition has been staged on this side of the Tasman.
“It’s a real coup to have the Ferno Sim Challenge on New Zealand soil,” says Summers.
The winners were announced at the Paramedics Australasia International Conference gala ball in Auckland on November 19.
Team AUT took second place. The winner was Team United Voice from Queensland, Australia.
“We’re thrilled to congratulate Team United Voice. We’ve competed with them in the US, Australia and New Zealand, and there’s a great sense of comradery between our teams,” says Summers.