BOSTON — A moment like never before for EMS workers across Massachusetts as they were honored in a “Convoy of Champions” Wednesday from Worcester to Boston.
More than 50 ambulances made their way from UMass Memorial Medical Center to Fenway Park.
“I think it is a big boost, I mean people are working really hard and they generally do it without a lot of fanfare so to get a little recognition, to get a little face time is really important for them,” said Joe O’Hare, superintendent of field operations for Boston EMS.
A special ceremony followed the caravan of ambulances inside Fenway Park with tributes from the governor, the mayor of Boston and the Red Sox among several others.
Organizers went above and beyond this year as a special thanks for EMS workers who are still fighting against COVID-19 on the front lines for about 3 months now.
“This is the most opportune time for people to understand what’s being done in the field, the level of care that’s provided, the amount of risks that they take, the level of training that they have,” said Dennis Cataldo, president of the Massachusetts Ambulance Association.
Training for EMS workers has increased over the last few months as they’ve learned to wear extra personal protective equipment before going out on every call because of the risk of COVID-19.
“It’s that much more work than an average ambulance call used to be, but I think it’s part of what’s going to be the new normal for us for a long time,” said O’Hare.
That extra work to protect against the virus is far from over since Massachusetts is one of the hardest hit states in the country in the number of coronavirus cases. That’s why moments like Wednesday’s convoy are a much needed boost to morale for first responders right now.
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