Dare County EMS, in partnership with College of The Albemarle, will host their fourth annual two-day education event titled, “EMS at the OBX,” from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, October 7, 2024 and Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at Jennette’s Pier, located at 7223 S. Virginia Dare Trail in Nags Head, N.C.

This exciting event will bring together emergency medical service professionals from across North Carolina and Virginia and provide 14 hours of EMS Continuing Education Units (CEUs). “Whether you're a seasoned veteran or just starting out in the field, this seminar provides the perfect opportunity to expand your knowledge, earn continuing education credits and network with fellow EMS professionals from an assortment of other agencies around our state and region,” said Dare County EMS Director Chief Jennie Collins. 

Dare County EMS and College of The Albemarle professionals have worked together to create informative sessions led by industry experts, as well as hands-on skills workshops utilizing the latest advancements in EMS technology.

Educational sessions for the 2024 conference will include:

• “Different Not Less: Breaking Barriers,” led by Brunswick County Emergency Medical Services Paramedic Bethany McGirt
• “Saving Ourselves - The Strong & The Stressed,” led by PIERCE Education CEO Brad Lawson and Franklin County EMS Captain Justin Preddy
• “To Ambulance or Not to Ambulance,” led by Cumberland County EMS Director David Grovdahl
• “Jaws of Life: EMS Chronicles from the Outer Banks,” led by Dare County EMS Deputy Chief Terence Sheehy
• “How Much is that Doggie in the Window,” led by Ocean City Fire Department and Mane & Taill Therapeutic Horsemanship Academy staff
• Plus many others!

In addition to the conference sessions, East Carolina University’s Brody School of Medicine Healthcare Simulation Unit (HSU) will be onsite at the conference venue (Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head), offering simulation-based healthcare education. The vehicle features a simulated, fully equipped hospital resuscitation bay, an additional ambulance compartment and an area for controlling the operation of the simulators, providing opportunities for attendees to participate in hands-on scenarios and simulations where they can perform their skills.  

In the days immediately following the conference, a series of post-conference training sessions will be offered at College of The Albemarle’s Dare County campus, which is located at 205 U.S. Highway 64 in Manteo, N.C. These additional training sessions—which will be held on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 and Thursday, October 10, 2024—include “Mental Health First Aid for Fire and EMS” and “Tactical EMS Officer II” workshops. 

Hotel room block rates are available through Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at several Outer Banks hotels. For additional information regarding room block rates, as well as registration and conference details, please visit www.albemarle.edu/emsobx. To register to attend the 2024 EMS at the OBX conference, please click the button below or visit www.albemarle.edu/emsobx.

For more information, please contact Walter A. Meads, EMS program coordinator at College of The Albemarle, at Walter_Meads@Albemarle.edu or 252-335-0821 ext. 2519.