[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/EFRT_opt.jpg” caption=”EFRT volunteers in a simulated emergency situation.”]Over the February 'reading week', eight members of McMaster's Emergency First Response Team (EFRT) traveled to Montreal to compete in the National Conference of Campus Emergency Response (NCCER). The team placed first overall, translating to a safer campus environment for the McMaster campus community.

During the four day conference, the team participated in a range of seminars on drug and alcohol usage, leadership and crisis situations and many other topics relating to campus safety. The conference ended with a competition between all teams.

McMaster's team finished ahead of twenty others, participating in an event where they had to attend to various demanding simulated emergency situations. While three competitors, Ava Baker, Stephanie VandenBerg, and Kira Goodman took home the gold in the final competition, Matthew Turnock, Lauren Payne and Julie Kim all greatly aided in the success of their teammates. In fact, another member, William Bateman participated as an actor in the mock emergency situations while Bryden Magee judged the events of her teammates.

This is a great honor for the McMaster EFRT team who also won this award in 2002, 2003 and again in 2004.

We're extremely happy with how our team performed at the competition,” said training coordinator, Ava Baker. “Our team works very hard to maintain an excellent standard of care, including resuscitation skills, such as using an automated external defibrillator, and symptom relief, such as the adminstration of epinepherine for allergic reaction.”

EFRT responds to medical emergencies on campus as well as offers courses in first aid training throughout the school and summer sessions. Training for the team includes monthly clinics on a variety of topics ranging from psychiatric medical emergencies to the management of trauma. Additionally, the entire team is certified as First Responders and senior responders are certified in Basic Trauma Life Support through Toronto EMS.

“Our team also has a close relationship with Hamilton EMS,” commented Baker.”In addition to working with them at calls, we
recently started a ride-out program, in which EFRT responders get to
ride in ambulances as observers.”

For more information on EFRT, please visit their website at www.msu.mcmaster.ca/efrt/aboutus.php.