Emergency professionals ensure safety at city events

They’re a fixture at events like the Christmas and St. Patrick’s Day Parades and the Dallas Marathon. They assist spectators and athletes at Dallas Maverick and Stars games. They’re at neighborhood events like the Deep Ellum Arts Festival.

They are Dallas Fire-Rescue’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Special Events services, and they work to ensure that the city’s 480 yearly public events are safe for the 2.1 million people who attend.

Certain events that happen within the city must have DFR personnel on site for medical coverage. The number of DFR medics and supervisors required for each event varies; ranging from 5 to 44 EMS professionals ready to provide lifesaving services. EMS Special Events has the ability to provide a full-scale incident command post in coordination with other agencies and groups to ensure public safety and promote a positive image for DFR.

“The importance of having on-site emergency response cannot be overstated,” said DFR’s Jason Evans. “We’re providing an event with its very own fire department without having any impact on emergency response in the City itself.”

Weather conditions, whether or not alcohol is sold and the nature of the event also help determine the number of EMS professionals and vehicles needed. A two-day event in December is typical, with 41 people seeking help and six transports to local hospitals of the 20,000 in attendance.