Medics compete at the 2006 Bill Shearer International ALS & BLS Competition.

ORLANDO, FL -- June 19, 2007 --
The Emergency Medicine Learning & Resource Center (EMLRC) has announced a partnership with EMS Magazine, the No. 1 publication serving EMS providers, to help develop state and regional scenario-based competitions in conjunction with the national Bill Shearer International Advanced & Basic Life Support Competition. The annual competition is the largest EMS competition in the world and is open to paramedics, EMTs, firefighters, RNs and military medics.

“I am delighted to partner with EMLRC to present the Bill Shearer International Advanced & Basic Life Support Competition,” says Scott Cravens, publisher of EMS Magazine and EMS Product News. “As part of ‘the largest media source for First Responders in America,’ we felt it was appropriate that we also be part of the largest EMS competition in the country. In fact, we feel so strongly about the positive role that competitions can play in preparing EMS personnel to work in complicated environments that we invited EMLRC to present a session on how to put on a local competition at EMS EXPO, October 11–13, in Orlando, FL.”

Bill Shearer served on the launch team for the original competition that began with less than 10 teams. His hard work helped produce the event that today hosts more than 60 teams nationwide. It was renamed in his honor following his death.

“Over the years, teams from multiple U.S. states and territories, Canadian provinces, South Africa and several Caribbean countries have participated in the competition,” says Jerry Cutchens, director of marketing. “The competition utilizes approximately 25 volunteers to research and develop the competition scenarios, 110 volunteer judges, 30 volunteer actors and 25 volunteer security personnel.”

EMLRC Director John Todaro states, “The Emergency Medicine Learning & Resource Center is pleased to have EMS Magazine as our partner in the Bill Shearer International Advanced & Basic Life Support Competition.”

The Emergency Medicine Learning & Resource Center (EMLRC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and advancing emergency medicine, disaster management, pre-hospital emergency care and public health through the provision of educational and research programs. The EMLRC provides lifesaving education for lifesavers.

The Cygnus Public Safety Group is part of Cygnus Business Media, the largest media source for First Responders in America with over 800,000 monthly website visitors, 200,000 magazine subscribers and 29,000 show attendees. It includes the following properties: EMS Magazine, EMS Product News, EMS Expo, EMSResponder.com, Firehouse, Firehouse.com, Firehouse Expo, Firehouse World, Firehouse Central, Advanced Rescue Technology, Law Enforcement Technology, Law Enforcement Product News, Officer.com and Law Enforcement Expo.
 
For further information contact:
John Todaro, Director/Chief Operating Officer
Emergency Medicine Learning & Resource Center
3717 South Conway Road
Orlando, FL 32812-7607
Phone: 800-766-6335
Email: jtodaro@emlrc.org
Internet: www.emlrc.org

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