State disaster team headed by Kansas City doctors oversee preparations for mass gatherings
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Months before a Super Bowl, while Kansas City Chiefs fans are dreaming of the possibility of getting to the big game, medical professionals in the Kansas City metro are well into the planning stages of a celebration.
It’s their job to handle any injuries that might stem from a mass gathering and the unfortunate possibility of a mass casualty incident.
Leading that charge are Dr. Erica Carney from University Health and Dr. Jennifer Watts from Children’s Mercy Hospital. In addition to their day jobs, they both hold emergency-planning roles with the state.
Carney is the Missouri EMS medical director, Watts is the chief medical officer with the Missouri Disaster Team. Together, they make plans for any mass gathering in Kansas City.
In early 2024, they had a clear plan for a downtown parade and rally in case the Kansas City Chiefs made it to the Super Bowl and ultimately brought home the win.
In hindsight, it’s a day they will never forget.
As fans lined the parade route and gathered around the main stage for the celebration rally, they might have noticed a few of the medical triage units. These units are equipped to run like mini-emergency rooms: to treat everything from intoxication, cuts and sprains to more severe medical issues like cardiac arrest.
Carney said they had a stronger pediatric presence than any other event that she’s been a part of. She gives that credit to lessons learned.
“By our third Super Bowl parade, we were very proactive,” she said. “We were well-staffed.”
“This year, we had all of our active shooter kits. We had all of our stop-the-bleed kits,” said. Watts.
It’s a good thing, as those supplies were all needed to ultimately save lives that day. Coordination with paramedics, fire departments, and law enforcement was seamless, the two doctors said.
In all after the shooting, 39 patients were treated in the triage tents... 23 injured by gunfire, one fatally.
Watts said they saw patients with gunshot wounds, some suffering from panic attacks, crush injuries, trample injuries, and then cuts, scrapes and bruises.
These medical professionals said Feb. 14, 2024, gave them great pause, but they agreed they wouldn’t hesitate to activate in the same way if indeed another mass gathering is needed to celebrate our city and our team.
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