Portage College Launches Ambulance Simulator to Enhance Paramedic Training Programs

The Portage College Paramedic program launched an exciting new ambulance simulator located at our Lac La Biche campus as another foundational block to further expand on the learning experience of our paramedic students. The simulator is now one of five simulators in Canada, offering students additional training as they advance through the excellent paramedic programs available at Portage. Portage College is proud to offer access to an operational ambulance as well as simulation rooms for practical training purposes. Students have the opportunity to experience emergency drills while driving an ambulance. The new ambulance simulator is the third interactive training tool designed to provide students with a realistic and immersive emergency response experience.

Candace Fillion, Paramedicine Program Coordinator, stated, “Our state-of-the-art ambulance simulator offers a realistic experience for patient treatment in the back of an ambulance. Students will be able to determine which skills are safe to do while the ambulance is moving and which skills require a non-moving ambulance.  This experience will help students provide safe and effective care to patients.”

The new ambulance simulator is an interactive training tool designed to provide students with a realistic and immersive emergency response experience. “With this simulator, students will gain many hours of exposure to an ambulance environment before their field placement, which will aid in their proficiency and excellence during placement and in their future practice,” said Brian McMeekin, paramedicine instructor. It is located within the College so students can participate in drills in -30-degree weather while instructors control the mechanics to instigate the movements, sounds, and surprise tactics. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the simulator allows students to practice their skills in a controlled, virtual environment while being monitored by instructors.

“This ambulance simulator is an exciting addition to the paramedicine labs, enabling our instructors to simulate real-life conditions more accurately,” said Brian McMeekin. Students will navigate through simulated emergency calls, make critical decisions, and perform medical procedures while interacting with lifelike virtual patients. By integrating real-world challenges and immediate feedback, the simulator ensures a more engaging and effective learning experience, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. McMeekin mentioned, “While other schools have ambulance simulators, the model at Portage College is unique in Canada for its specific features, such as moving on hydraulics to simulate driving conditions. We are very fortunate to have this resource available to our students.”

Portage College currently offers three excellent paramedic programs.  Our Emergency Medical Responder Certificate program is an amazing 20-week program that will introduce students to the paramedic field, while our Primary Care Paramedic and Advanced Care Paramedic programs expand on foundational skills and provide students with the tools to become licensed paramedics in Alberta.