Tamarac Fire Rescue firefighters Joseph Anello, Yanier Garcia and Juan Alfonso earned second place in the Bernie Tillson Advanced Life Support Competition in Boca Raton. The team competed against 10 other fire departments over two days.
The event tested how well the crews could assess patients, deliver lifesaving treatment and work together under pressure. Firefighters treated more than 30 simulated patients across six locations, with scenarios modeled on complex medical emergencies.
One of the hardest tasks took place at a fire training facility. Simulated patients were placed on every floor of a five-story tower, and firefighters had to move through the building while assessing and treating each one.
The competition has been held annually for 19 years as a memorial to Bernie Tillson, a longtime emergency medical services figure. It focuses on advanced life support skills, quick decision-making, communication and teamwork.
According to Tamarac Fire Rescue, the event gives personnel hands-on practice for calls where fast decisions and coordinated care matter most.
