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Medical Group Airmen compete, win EMT competition

Emergency medical technicians assigned to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., rescue a simulated drowning victim during the 2016 EMT Rodeo Aug. 26, 2016 at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. Cannon’s EMT Rodeo tests the skills of medical professionals from across the Air Force through a series of innovative, high-pressure scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)

Emergency medical technicians assigned to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., rescue a simulated drowning victim during the 2016 EMT Rodeo Aug. 26, 2016 at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. Cannon’s EMT Rodeo tests the skills of medical professionals from across the Air Force through a series of innovative, high-pressure scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)

Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez

Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez

Emergency medical technicians assigned to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., treat a simulated alcohol withdrawal syndrome patient  during the 2016 EMT Rodeo Aug. 26, 2016 at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. Cannon’s EMT Rodeo tests the skills of medical professionals from across the Air Force through a series of innovative, high-pressure scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)

Emergency medical technicians assigned to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., treat a simulated alcohol withdrawal syndrome patient during the 2016 EMT Rodeo Aug. 26, 2016 at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. Cannon’s EMT Rodeo tests the skills of medical professionals from across the Air Force through a series of innovative, high-pressure scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)

An emergency medical technician assigned to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., rescue a simulated drowning victim during the 2016 EMT Rodeo Aug. 26, 2016 at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. Cannon’s EMT Rodeo tests the skills of medical professionals from across the Air Force through a series of innovative, high-pressure scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)

An emergency medical technician assigned to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., rescue a simulated drowning victim during the 2016 EMT Rodeo Aug. 26, 2016 at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. Cannon’s EMT Rodeo tests the skills of medical professionals from across the Air Force through a series of innovative, high-pressure scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico -- Airmen from the 96th Medical Group faced off against 23 emergency medical technician teams to test their skills and to compete for the “Best of the Best” title.

After a grueling two and a half days, 96th MDG’s team won the 9th annual EMT Rodeo here where they maneuvered through 17 scenarios to demonstrate their skills.

“The Rodeo demonstrated the importance of our Air Force medics and tested their capacity to deliver emergency medical treatment in a high-stress environment, with the overall expectation of enhancing emergency medical preparedness in theater and in-garrison,” said Lt. Gen. Mark Ediger, Air Force surgeon general.

Day one tested the team’s critical combat medical skills when a CV-22 Osprey airlifted them to an air-to-ground training site where they encountered six mass casualty scenarios that featured opposing forces, simulated smoke grenades, ground-bursts and more to create a realistic deployment environment. 

Despite the high-stress setting the 96th MDG team also earned a perfect score in the Commando Challenge where they were pushed physically and mentally as members of a search and rescue team.

“I knew when we completed the challenge we rocked it,” said Staff Sgt. Derek Medlenka, aerospace flight and operational medical technician. “Our communication and team work was spot on during the event and throughout the competition. It was the most difficult day, but also my favorite.”

To train for the Air Force-level competition the team met twice a week and on the weekends to work in the MDG’s simulation lab using life-like mannequins. In addition, Tech. Sgt. Atheana Cooper, the team’s coach and evaluator, arranged training sessions to conduct water rescue training and advanced life saving techniques.

“This competition allowed me to expand my teaching ability with better scenarios and share what I’ve learned over the last 16 years with my junior peers during feedback,” said Cooper.

According to Cooper, it was an opportunity for all of the medics to learn new treatment methods and thinking techniques, especially for Airmen who don’t work in emergency medicine.

“Because we can operate in many hospital departments, we are considered to be ‘jack of all trades’,” said Medlenka. “The chance to train in and experience emergency medicine boosted my confidence in my skills and made me a better EMT.”

Each team member came away from the competition with approximately half of their annual national registry certification and EMT licensure requirements and exposure to the Air Force’s medical combat capabilities.

The 96th MDG’s winning team members were: Cooper, Medlenka, Tech Sgt. Kayla Miller, Staff Sgt. Erin Hall, and Airman 1st Class Sean Gresham.