By Scott D. Johnston
The 32nd Annual West Region Emergency Medical Services Conference brought more than 400 visitors to Ocean Shores last weekend for a two-day event held Feb. 24-25 at the Ocean Shores Convention Center.
Anne Benoist, executive director of the West Region EMS and Trauma Care Council (WREMS), the non-profit organization that produces the event, said the group has found a successful formula here.
“This is a getaway for our EMS providers … many bring their families and enjoy a weekend at the beach,” she explained.
EMT Teresa McCallion explained part of the serious appeal of the event: “Although we all do training at home, by getting everybody together, we can pool our resources, and do the kind of thing we wouldn’t be able to do at home. This level of training is very difficult!”
While the event and its purpose are very serious, it also includes some fun. This year, the event came on a clam-digging weekend on the North Coast. And Saturday evening, the Ocean Shores Firefighters Association hosted a social gathering at Galway Bay.
The council’s mission is “to assist and guide local EMS and trauma care providers in the coordination and improvement of emergency medical services and injury/illness prevention and public education in the West Region,” which is made up of Grays Harbor, Lewis, Pierce, Thurston and the north half of Pacific Counties. WREMS is composed of representatives from hospitals, prehospital (EMT, paramedic, dispatch) agencies, local government and other interested parties. Members are nominated by their local EMS Councils and appointed by the Secretary of the WA State Department of Health. The organization is volunteer-driven, with a 32-member governing board and just two paid staffers.
Their annual conference, which has been held in Ocean Shores 30 of its 32 years, draws EMS professionals and volunteers from throughout the state. This year’s event saw more than 170 registrants, 40 vendors, 13 speakers and presenters, and dozens of volunteers.
The attendees are a mix of EMS professionals and volunteers, many of whom pay their own way to participate in the training and networking offered at the event. Event content includes a variety of lectures, discussions, evaluations and hands-on opportunities.
The WREMS office is located at the McLane-Black Lake Fire Station 95, 5911 Black Lake Blvd SW, Olympia, WA. Their website is www.wrems.com.
