LAYTON — Helicopters, fire trucks, paramedic vehicles and ambulances converged at the Davis Conference Center.
The emergency vehicles were not responding to a disaster in Layton on Tuesday; rather, paramedics, emergency medical technicians and first responders from along the Wasatch Front were attending the third annual Northern Utah Regional EMS Conference, hosted by Davis County. The event continues today.
Davis County Sheriff’s Deputy Neil Major said the conference gives emergency personnel from different agencies an opportunity to train on the same things. That is helpful, “because we work together, often,” Major said.
He said it also provides refresher courses on skills not often used, and highlights some of the newest trends in technology.
Davis County Sheriff’s Sgt. Scott Harper said more than 100 emergency personnel signed up to attend the event, which provides 16 hours of continuing medical education. Paramedics, EMTs and first responders are required to attend such medical education events to keep their certification.
Harper said the agencies also benefit by training together, because on many occasions, they will respond to an accident or medical emergency to help each other.
“When someone calls 911, you don’t wonder if someone is going to come …” Harper said.
Roy Fire Chief Jason Poulsen said the conference provided him with tips on leadership.
Former Jazz basketball player Mark Eaton spoke at the conference Tuesday morning. Poulsen said Eaton discussed different leadership styles.
“As a new young fire chief, it was very helpful.” Poulsen said.
The conference also gives emergency personnel a chance to see the latest equipment on the market.
Earl Jewkes, a pilot with Life Flight, said the conference also gives him a chance to meet with medical personnel in a less stressful atmosphere.
Usually Jewkes, who has been a Life Flight pilot for 21 years, is more concerned with flying and landing the helicopter safely.
“We work real close with the sheriffs, the fire departments and EMTs,” he said.
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