On Saturday, March 19, 2006, beginning at 4:42 a.m., 21 companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 24 LAFD rescue ambulances, six bicycle paramedic teams, three “Gator” teams (six wheel ATV’s with two paramedics), one arson unit, two hazardous materials teams, 11 EMS battalion captains, four battalion chief officer command teams, one division chief officer command team, and a variety of additional support staff, all under the direction of Assistant Chief Michael Fulmis were pre-deployed along the Los Angeles Marathon route.
The Los Angeles Fire Department, in conjunction with other city agencies, volunteers, and event organizers spent a significant amount of time preplanning the various aspects of the 21st Annual Los Angeles Marathon. A unified command with LAPD and LAFD command staff was implemented and strategically positioned at the city’s “Piper Tech” facility. A forward command post was placed at the Bonaventure Hotel to assist in overall management of the incident. Under the forward command post, divisions, branches, and groups were established to handle various aspects of the incident.
In an effort to provide rapid paramedic intervention during a medical emergency, the LAFD deployed six bicycle paramedic teams and three “Gator” teams. The “Gator” teams consisted of two paramedics operating a six-wheeled all terrain vehicle. The “Gator” was outfitted with advanced life support tools, a stretcher, and other necessary equipment. The size and configuration of the bicycle paramedic teams, and the “Gator” teams provided paramedics the opportunity to navigate crowds, circumvent traffic, and deliver critical patient care faster.
Throughout the day and all along the 26 mile route, 75 patients were treated by fire department personnel for various medical problems including, heat and exhaustion complaints, musculoskeletal injuries, and other medical problems. Of the 75 patients treated, 30 were transported to local hospitals for further medical evaluation. Unfortunately, three runners did suffer a sudden cardiac arrest during the run. Regretfully, two of the runners did loose their lives during this event.
At 8:30 a.m., at mile marker one, 15th Street and Figueroa Street, a 70-year-old male runner suffered a full cardiac arrest. Fortunately, personnel from the Los Angeles Convention center were able to immediately utilize a Public AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) on the patient, delivering one shock to the patient’s heart. Paramedics arrived immediately, continued CPR, provided advanced cardiac life support, and transported to California Medical Center. The patient was subsequently admitted to the hospital and is listed in critical condition.
At 9:00 a.m., at approximately mile marker one, Exposition Boulevard and Figueroa Street, a 60-year-old male runner and retired Los Angeles county sheriff deputy, suffered a full cardiac arrest. Paramedics immediately began CPR and provided immediate advance cardiac life support. The patient was transported to California Medical Center where the patient was pronounced dead by hospital personnel.
At 1:30 p.m., at approximately mile marker 24, Olympic Boulevard and Westmoreland Avenue, a 53-year-old male and an “active” member” of the Los Angeles Police Department, suffered a full cardiac arrest. Firefighters and paramedics, pre-deployed along the Marathon route, provided immediate advanced cardiac life support and rapid transport to Good Samaritan Hospital. Unfortunately, the paramedics and hospital staff were unable to revive the officer and he was pronounced dead at the hospital.