Mercy Flight Central conference draws record crowd as demand for EMS training grows

A surge in demand for hands-on emergency medical training is showing up in attendance numbers, with more than 130 providers and healthcare professionals gathering this week in Canandaigua for a regional conference that reached a new milestone.

Mercy Flight Central’s annual Spring Education Conference set a record for participation in its 12-year history, reflecting what organizers say is a growing need for collaborative training as emergency care becomes more complex.

The event brought together EMS providers, clinicians and hospital teams for a full day of sessions centered on real-world scenarios, evolving clinical practices and coordination across the emergency response system.

Organizers emphasized that the conference is designed not just to deliver instruction, but to strengthen relationships between the different parts of the healthcare system — connections that can prove critical when seconds matter.

Sessions focused heavily on challenges unique to rural and underserved areas, where coordination between ground crews, hospitals and air medical teams can determine outcomes for critically ill or injured patients.

Attendees also had the opportunity to interact directly with Mercy Flight Central’s team and get a closer look at the equipment and training that support its operations in the field.

The nonprofit air medical provider, which has operated since 1992, plays a key role in delivering advanced, ICU-level care across upstate New York, often responding to emergencies where time and distance are major factors.

Officials say the record turnout underscores a shared commitment among regional providers to improve care through continued training and collaboration.

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Mercy Flight Central conference draws record crowd as demand for EMS training grows

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