Smithfield, NC – Johnston County EMS Cadets are bringing home a trophy after winning second place in a statewide competition in Hickory on Saturday August 29th. The North Carolina Association of Rescue and EMS hosted their annual meeting and convention this weekend at the Hickory Metro Convention Center where EMS agencies from all over North Carolina gathered. The Cadet team responded to a scenario involving a mass shooting at a political rally that was very realistic and included multiple moulaged victims. The team worked calmly and with great skill to mitigate the scenario successfully. In the awards ceremony Saturday night they were awarded second place.

The Johnston County EMS Cadet program was founded in 2013 and consists of individuals from age 15-18 from all across Johnston County. The program, overseen by Captain Kim Grimes, trains teenagers interested in an Emergency Medical Services career and allows them to ride along with paramedics. EMS Division Chief Josh Holloman said “we are very proud of our EMS Cadet team and our entire Cadet program. We started the program to continue the tradition in our County that was started by several local squads. We are upholding that tradition by being among the best in North Carolina.”