The premier conference for EMS and Nursing, the Gathering of Eagles, and EMS ALS and Nursing Competition


Every year, first responders from around Florida and across the US gather for one of the top conferences for EMS and Nursing first responders. This week long conference features classes, competitions, a vendor expo, networking, symposiums, and annual meetings for various first responder groups. They pack a LOT into just one week! Held at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, attendees can spend the week doing hands-on demonstrations, hearing about new techniques, and building their network within the industry.

This year's event started with an opening ceremony featuring an honor guard comprised of local honor guard team members from various departments, a REAL fighter pilot and a welcome message from the event chair and title sponsor.

Event welcome signs and banners with Wi-Fi sponsor information.
Attendees walking through conference hallway with branded banners.
Three uniformed fire service officers wearing medals and badges at conference event.
Group of professionals posing together at formal event with blue curtain backdrop.
Color guard presenting American flag at formal ceremony on red carpeted stage.
Firefighter conference attendees gather in auditorium with IFF banner visible.
Uniformed officer in ceremonial dress speaking at podium during formal event.
Color guard ceremony with flags and uniformed personnel in formal presentation.
Honor guard member in formal dress uniform marches with flag during ceremony.
Bagpipe and drum performers in traditional kilts performing at ceremonial event.
Fire chief delivers speech at podium during professional conference.
Group photo of uniformed color guard members with flags at conference registration area.
Group photo of ceremonial band members with flags and instruments.
Uniformed officer speaking at podium with fire chiefs association logo backdrop.
Speaker in business attire addresses audience at fire chiefs conference.
Fire department official in white uniform speaking at conference podium.
Large audience seated in conference hall with ornate carpet and lighting fixtures.
Professional in grey suit delivers presentation at conference podium.
Professional presentation on stage with blue curtain backdrop and projected screen.
A speaker presents on stage in front of a blue sequined backdrop at a professional conference.
A speaker in flight suit gives presentation in front of branded backdrop at professional event.
A presenter in casual attire speaks at a podium during a conference presentation.
Law enforcement professionals gathered at conference in formal uniforms.
Conference attendees networking in hotel hallway.
Registration desk area with illuminated signage and decorative elements at conference venue.
Two attendees walk through conference hallway decorated with blue banners and lighting.
Large group of conference attendees pose together under blue banners at registration entrance.

EMS ALS and Nursing Competitions


One of the highlights of the week is the EMS ALS (Advanced Life Support) and Nursing Competitions.

The ALS competition starts with the preliminary rounds on Sunday. Teams from across the state (and even a few from outside Florida) compete in teams of 3 or 4. A large group of volunteers sets up over-the-top scenarios that test the skills of ALS teams. Judges are in each scenario to evaluate the teams knowledge, accuracy, and time management. These scenarios are always CRAZY.....with volunteer patients hiding and running around, fake wounds, noise and music blasting, and fake actors trying to distract the teams. It's often very challenging to photograph too, as it's super fast paced, lots happening at once, and the lighting is often dark or flashing. Thankfully I have a variety of lenses and lighting options with me at all times.

The top teams from the prelims advance to the finals later in the week. The final scenario this year was a haunted house. OMG it was NUTS! They had clowns, caskets, people with fake chainsaws, Halloween decor everywhere, and a huge audience watching it all go down.

The nursing competition featured teams of 4 that entered a fake hospital setting where patients were set up with all kinds of conditions. They had a pregnant lady, a hunting accident, and an injured firefighter as scenarios. Nurses had to evaluate the patients and get them triaged. Patients are constantly entering the scenes, there's lots of yelling, and there are announcements going on constantly. Nurses are being judged on their treatment of each patient and their ability to triage and manage the scene. It's also SUPER crazy and the audience loves watching it all go down.

The winners from ALS and Nursing receive trophies and prize packages (and bragging rights all year)!

Medical training session with emergency equipment and stretcher in a conference room setting.
Event staff organizing props and supplies at a carnival-themed setup with striped decorations.
People embracing during an emotional celebration event with audience members in the background.
Emergency medical training scenario with simulated patient and medical equipment.
Group of people in spooky Halloween costumes posing with chainsaws and horror masks at a costume event.
Medical professionals provide emergency care during training scenario.
Medical professionals practicing patient care techniques during a hands-on training workshop.
Healthcare professionals in blue uniforms participate in an interactive training session on a red carpeted floor.
Speaker in blue polo shirt addresses audience with microphone at corporate event.
Group photo of performers and staff with colorful costumes and face paint at an entertainment event.
Large group of medical responders gather for team photo during emergency response training event.
Healthcare providers practice emergency response procedures on medical mannequin.
Group photo of emergency response team members wearing high-visibility vests during training.
Three glass trophy awards displayed on wooden surface showing first, second, and third place positions.
First responders practice medical emergency response techniques during a hands-on training session.
Emergency response team in black uniforms stands together in parking garage for group photo.
People gather near vibrant graffiti wall with medical equipment and supplies.
Audience members seated in rows of chairs during indoor conference presentation.
Group photo of diverse team members in casual attire posing together at a company event.
Event participants examining equipment and supplies at themed display table.
Speaker presents at event podium with display of awards and musical instruments in background.
People reviewing documents while seated at wooden table with emergency equipment nearby.
Medical personnel work together during an emergency simulation on a stretcher in a hallway.
Performers in colorful costumes and face paint gather backstage in front of red curtains.
Large group of medical professionals gathered for training event in conference room.
Wide view of emergency response training session taking place in hotel conference room.
Team of four emergency responders posing with backpacks and equipment at conference display.
Emergency medical personnel in orange uniforms pose together after completing training exercises.
Crowd of attendees cheering and taking photos with phones raised at indoor event.
Medical team conducting emergency response training in a simulated disaster environment.
Emergency medical team provides urgent care to a patient lying on black surface during a training exercise.
Medical responder practices emergency response techniques on training dummy during simulation exercise.
Healthcare providers performing medical procedures during a simulation training exercise.
Emergency response professionals practice CPR and first aid skills during a hands-on training session in a conference room.
First responders demonstrate medical treatment techniques during hands-on training exercise.
Emergency medical personnel practice response scenarios in training room setting.
Group of performers dressed as colorful clowns posing against a red curtain backdrop.
Medical team performs emergency response training exercise on outdoor deck under blue sky.
First responders practice lifesaving techniques on training dummies during a group certification class.
Emergency response team practicing patient extraction techniques with medical equipment.
Costumed performer entertaining crowd during themed event in hotel ballroom.
Medical responders participate in an emergency training workshop with practice mannequins on the floor.
Healthcare workers in uniform pose together in parking structure.
Medical response team members participate in interactive training exercises in conference room.
Emergency response team reviews procedures with safety equipment in preparation area.
Medical simulation training with patient on bed while instructors provide guidance.

Education


Throughout the week attendees had the chance to sign up for various classes and workshops. One of their big things is the ability for attendees to have hands-on learning experiences. Sponsors brought all kinds of new tools, mannequins, machines, and more for attendees to utilize. Instructors walked them through the latest techniques and the newest tools to make their jobs easier. There were guest lectures, symposiums, and demos all week on dozens of topics. They had a resuscitation workshop, a burn workshop, a leadership symposium, a mobile integrated health (MIH) symposium, a chiefs luncheon, and more!

It was a lot of things to cover at one time, but I wore my running shoes and tried to get to as many rooms as I could to catch all the action.

Conference room setup with rows of chairs and attendees participating in an emergency response training session.
Wide view of a hotel ballroom filled with emergency response personnel during a training workshop.
Panoramic view of a large conference space with medical professionals practicing emergency response techniques.
Medical responders gathered in a conference room practicing CPR techniques on training mannequins.
Emergency personnel practicing life-saving techniques on CPR dummies during a certification course.
First aid instructors demonstrate proper CPR techniques to a group of emergency responders.
Healthcare professionals practicing emergency response procedures on training mannequins in a conference setting.
Veterinarians and staff provide medical care to small dogs during a professional training workshop.
Conference attendees seated at round tables engaged in discussion at a professional development event.
Business conference room with wood paneled walls and modern lighting fixtures during presentation.
Wide view of conference attendees seated in rows during professional training session.
Professional speaker presenting in front of a beige wall at business conference.
Presentation slides with question mark symbols displayed on projection screen during conference.
Conference room filled with attendees listening to presenter at professional training event.
Professional development seminar with projection screen and engaged audience members.
Attendees participating in roundtable discussions during business conference session.
Wide angle view of conference room filled with attendees during professional presentation.
Business professionals networking at a conference with sponsorship banners visible in the background.
Group of professionals engaged in conference activities and small group discussions.
Participants practicing emergency response techniques on red carpet during a training session.
Conference attendees collaborating during an interactive workshop session.
Leadership speakers and sponsors at a professional conference venue.
Large group photo of conference participants standing together against a light-colored wall.
Wide shot of conference attendees gathered for a group photograph in a meeting room.
Conference presentation screen and audience in a dimly lit professional venue.
Medical professionals practicing emergency response techniques on a training mannequin during a conference session.
Conference attendees seated in a large ballroom with elegant lighting and red carpeting.
Award presentation ceremony at The Rescue Company 1 featuring Carlos Tavares.
Group photo of professionals presenting an award plaque at a corporate event.
Three people posing with an award plaque at a recognition ceremony.
Speaker presenting at podium with branded backdrop during conference session.
Medical training session with participants practicing around a table with mannequins.
Speaker at podium delivering presentation with blue backdrop.
Speaker in navy polo giving animated presentation against blue backdrop.
Participants practicing medical procedures during hands-on training session.
Speakers and attendees gather at a professional conference with branded blue star logos visible in background.
Conference attendees engage in networking and discussions during a break session.
Professional conference setup with blue banners and presentation area visible.
Speaker presents to audience in conference room with beige walls and modern lighting.
Attendees line up in conference room during networking or registration activity.
Corporate presentation with Broward Health branding and blue star logos displayed.
Speaker presents at podium with Broward Health branding and star logo visible.

Vendor showcase

Always a fan favorite, they have a vendor show where businesses can showcase their newest products to all the attendees. Their booths are full of great new products that attendees can see, touch, an learn about. Many of the vendors who had exhibits were also sponsors of the conference in some form. Sponsors are the lifeblood of any conference so I believe it's important to try to get photos of them to provide as a thank you but also to show potential sponsors what the conference is all about. I'm always on the lookout for signs, banners, sponsors interacting with attendees, and any other opportunities to showcase sponsors.

Trade show floor with multiple vendors displaying medical technology and equipment.
Medical training demonstration area with CPR mannequins and professional equipment on display tables.
Medical escape room exhibition booth with Teleflex branding at conference venue.
Philips healthcare technology booth with blue branding and product displays at a medical exhibition.
Conference exhibition hall with Stryker medical equipment displays and vendor booths.
EMSIMC company booth with blue banner display and promotional materials at a medical conference.
Conference exhibition space with EOlife medical device demonstrations and training stations.
Corporate exhibition booth area showcasing medical equipment and company banners at a healthcare conference.

Gathering of Eagles


The other big aspect of this conference is the Gathering of Eagles. The Eagles are a de-facto coalition of physician leaders who serve as the jurisdictional EMS medical directors from most of the largest US municipalities and many of their counterparts in Europe, New Zealand, Australia, and several Pacific Rim metropolitan cities. Led by Dr. Paul E Pepe, participants receive a wealth of knowledge from industry leaders. They learn about new laws, new products, new techniques, and more. At the conclusion of the event, awards are presented each year to top Eagles.

Wide view of conference room setup with round tables and overhead lighting.
Panoramic view of conference space showing multiple attendees seated at tables.
Group photo of conference attendees seated in front of blue backdrop.
Business professionals networking and posing at a corporate conference event with blue backdrop.
Large group photo of conference attendees standing together in front of a blue stage backdrop.
Conference attendees engaging in conversation and networking during a professional event.
Speaker in navy blue polo presenting on stage with gestures at a corporate conference.
Professional speaker presenting in front of company logo backdrop at business event.
Corporate event setup with branded blue banners and conference signage.
Business professionals seated and networking during conference presentation.
Award recipient holding trophy while smiling in bright blue sweater against blue backdrop.
Award winner displaying crystal trophy award against blue backdrop at ceremony.

Conference Photography


This year's First There First Care & Gathering of Eagles Conference was a HUGE success! They had record attendance and had the best leaders in the industry there to give a wealth of knowledge to attendees. This was my 2nd year photographing the conference so I had a little more knowledge of day-to-day operations this time around. It was still a LOT to photograph, but it was an amazing week. I put a lot of miles on my shoes...walking nearly 5 miles each day throughout the conference center. My client received nearly 2,000 beautiful images from the week all organized in categories to make sharing images easier. If you have a conference coming up, I would love the opportunity to provide you with a quote and we can chat about your vision for the event! Email me at coastalclickphotography.com or call me at 561-972-8446.