Marathon Medical Staff Learning Lessons From Boston Tragedy
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - The running world will have its eyes on Pittsburgh this weekend for the running of the Pittsburgh Marathon.
In light of what happened in Boston last month, organizers want to make sure the medical staff is equipped to handle all kinds of issues.
"We've really hunkered down in the three weeks that we've had since Boston and we're really looking at what we have needed to do and also where we wanted to augment security and how we have strategically wanted to plan for the event," Race Director Patrice Matamoros said.
The lessons learn at Boston are coming to Pittsburgh this weekend.
"You do expect the heat injury. You do expect the pulmonary. You do expect the cardiac, but you don't expect the injuries that you get from the battlefield injuries of the trauma that they saw," Mark Bocian said.
After some spectators were killed and more than 100 injured, Pittsburgh is not taking any chances.
"In the past, we have always had EMS on board and they were always available to take care of trauma. We now know from Boston that one of the things that they had hoped to have at the finish line -- would have liked to have had -- was tourniquets. So, we have tourniquets and some other additional trauma gear," UPMC's Dr. Ron Roth said.
"We do have an extensive medical tent build at the finish line area and we are looking forward to some excellent communications and working with the medical team as well," Operations Director Dee Stathis said.
Pittsburgh Paramedics have had extensive talks with their colleagues in Boston and want to make sure they are ready for any eventuality.
And they promise to be ready when runners from 15 countries and all 50 states race through the streets of Pittsburgh on Sunday.
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