Tamarac Fire Rescue Team Takes Second Place in Regional Lifesaving Competition

by Sharon Aron Baron October 20, 2026

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Tamarac Fire Rescue Team Takes Second Place in Regional Lifesaving Competition 4

Juan Alfonso, Joseph Anello
And Yanier Garcia. {City of Tamarac}

Tamarac Fire Rescue firefighters earned second place in the Bernie Tilson Advanced Life Support Competition in Boca Raton, competing against 10 other fire departments in a series of challenging emergency medical scenarios.

Firefighters Anello, Garcia and Alfonso represented Tamarac in the two-day competition, which tested their ability to assess patients, provide lifesaving treatment and work together under pressure.

The team faced more than 30 simulated patients across six locations, with scenarios designed to replicate complex, real-world medical emergencies.

One of the most demanding challenges took place at a fire training facility, where simulated patients were positioned on every floor of a five-story tower. Firefighters had to navigate the building while assessing and treating patients under simulated emergency conditions.

For the past 19 years, the Bernie Tillson EMS Challenge has served as an annual memorial Advanced Life Support (ALS) competition, honoring the legacy of Bernie Tillson while promoting excellence in emergency medical services.

The competition emphasized advanced life support skills, rapid decision-making, communication, and teamwork abilities firefighters and paramedics rely on when responding to emergencies.

According to Tamarac Fire Rescue, the competition provides valuable hands-on experience that helps personnel prepare for situations in which quick decisions and coordinated care can make a lifesaving difference.

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Sharon Aron Baron

Sharon Aron Baron is the Editor of Tamarac Talk, Coral Springs Talk, Margate Talk, Coconut Creek Talk Parkland Talk, and Sunrise Talk. Tamarac Talk was created in 2011 to provide News for the residents of Tamarac and is the #1 News Source for Residents.