Advanced ambulance simulation technology is transforming paramedic education at Centennial University, providing students with immersive training that reflects real-world emergency medical situations.
Preparing future paramedics for the rapidly changing world of emergency medical services (EMS) requires more than just classroom learning. We need realistic, practical training that reflects the pressures of the field. That’s why at Centennial University, our paramedic students are trained in an environment designed to reflect the real-life situations they face when responding to medical emergencies.
This year, Centennial University’s Paramedic Program takes another big step in EMS education with the introduction of two new SimRig Classroom Ambulance Trainers. This is an advanced ambulance simulation unit designed to provide hands-on paramedic training in a realistic clinical environment.
This state-of-the-art equipment was introduced during a special event on Friday, January 23, at Centennial University’s Morningside Campus in Toronto, Ontario. VIP attendees included former Chief Prevention Officer and Assistant Deputy Minister Ron Kelsky; Ms. Susan Piccarello, Assistant Deputy Minister, Department of Emergency Medicine, Ministry of Health; Scarborough Rouge Park MP Neesan Shan. A new simulation device will provide career-ready training for students pursuing a career as a paramedic in Ontario’s paramedic departments. The event gave partners and guests a closer look at how simulation technology is shaping the next generation of paramedic training.
Why simulation-based paramedic training is important
“Centennial University is an incredibly exciting place to be,” said Dr. Craig Stevenson, president of Centennial University.
“When we talk about emergency care and the professionals who provide it, we’re talking about real life. We’re talking about real pressures and real decisions being made in real time.”
The SimRig Classroom Ambulance Trainer is designed to recreate the inside of a frontline EMS vehicle in a controlled classroom environment, allowing students to train in conditions that closely reflect the field. The compact space shows students the physical constraints and pressures of working in a tight space while the class participates in and observes simulations. Instructors can run realistic emergency scenarios, from cardiac events to trauma reactions, allowing students to practice communication, patient assessment, and treatment protocols in real time. Students observing the simulation can watch decisions unfold step-by-step, learning from both successes and failures in a controlled environment.
In the field, paramedics often have to make quick medical decisions while working within the confines of an ambulance and coordinating with partners under pressure.
“Emergency medicine is not something you learn from a distance,” Dr. Stevenson explains. “It’s about learning responsibly in a confined space under stress, where judgment, teamwork, confidence and calmness are just as important as technical skills. That’s exactly what is expressed at the heart of this paramedic SimRig.”
Ontario’s leading emergency medical program
Centennial University is the first university in Canada to integrate two of these SimRig trainers directly into its paramedic lab. The Paramedic Lab is home to Ontario’s largest public paramedic program and is widely recognized for its rigorous science-based curriculum and outstanding graduate outcomes. This program combines classroom learning, simulation training, and clinical experience to prepare students to meet the demands of Ontario’s emergency medical services system.
“For almost 20 years, our graduates have achieved a 100% pass rate on the Department of Health certification exam. Again, a 100% pass rate,” Dr. Stevenson said confidently.
These statistics reflect the program’s emphasis on hands-on training, evidence-based instruction, and close collaboration with industry partners.
Dr. Stevenson also emphasized the role of partnerships in making this work possible. “Thank you for the work you do every day to foster student success and advance our program’s reputation for excellence. Because when our public universities and partners work together, we not only train professionals, but build confidence and a more resilient future for all.”
For Centennial College faculty, SimRig is both an educational advancement and a way to demonstrate the quality of the program to Ontario’s ambulance and emergency response employers, who rely on Centennial College graduates for paramedic skills and clinical preparation. Many of our graduates work in municipal and regional ambulance services across Ontario, providing care on the front lines of their communities.
Michael Thomas, Professor and Program Coordinator, Emergency Medicine Specialist (Collaborative), said:
“But today, we hope to give you a glimpse into how we train our future EMTs and employees, why we believe our graduates are so well prepared for the job, and why you should hire from Centennial.”
As simulation technology continues to evolve, tools like SimRig help bridge the gap between classroom learning and the reality of frontline emergency medicine. With the addition of the SimRig Classroom Ambulance Trainer, Centennial College continues to strengthen its leadership in paramedic education, ensuring graduates enter the workforce with real-world EMS experience, advanced ambulance simulation training, and confidence in high-pressure emergency medical situations.
Please note: This is a commercial profile
This article will also be published in the quarterly magazine issue 26.
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