On Sunday, May 4th, approximately 40,000 people converged on the city of Philadelphia for the annual Blue Cross Broad Street Run. The ten mile race started in North Philadelphia and ended at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Due to the high potential for medical and traumatic emergencies at this large scale event, numerous Emergency Medical Service organizations were contacted to assist with providing personnel and equipment.

Berwyn Fire Company organized an ambulance and our EMS bicycles to assist National Event Services, the company contracted with coordinating the event’s emergency medical resources. EMT Chas Carlson, Firefighter/Paramedic Kevin Dillard, Firefighter/Paramedic Doug Simpson, and Assistant Chief/EMT Matt Norris departed Berwyn in Ambulance 2-1 with the EMS Bikes. They arrived at the Philadelphia Navy Yard at 7am, and awaited their assignments.

Berwyn’s ambulance, staffed by EMT Carlson and Paramedic Dillard, was assigned to be the first due Critical Care Transport Unit for the event. The crew would be utilized to transport patients with immediate life threatening conditions, such as cardiac arrest, to local hospitals. Equipment from the ambulance was set up in the resuscitation bay of the event medical tent located at the finish line. The tent was staffed with doctors and nurses from Jefferson University Hospital, who were prepared to provide emergency care to the participants and spectators.

Paramedic Simpson and EMT Norris patrolled the area of the finish line on Berwyn’s EMS bikes. They would be utilized to assist the Philadelphia Fire Department in providing rapid emergency care to any participant or spectator along this portion of the race route. The EMS bikes carry a wide assortment of medical supplies including bandaging and wound care, oxygen, and defibrillation equipment (Automated External Defibrillator). The bike crew assisted the Philadelphia Fire Department with the treatment of a number of patients throughout the finish area.

Fortunately, there were no patients brought to the resuscitation bay of the medical tent at this year's event. Berwyn’s ambulance was not used to transport any patients to the hospital. After taking some pictures at the finish line, Berwyn personnel left the Navy Yard and headed back to Berwyn around noon.

Being a part of such a large and well publicized event was a unique and exciting experience for the Berwyn personnel. The fire company is looking forward to providing assistance at this event in the years to come.