HDSCS Supports 2011 Disney Half-Marathon

At 6 AM on September 4, 2011, approximately 15,000 runners set out on the sixth annual Disneyland Half Marathon, a fund-raiser to support City of Anaheim community service projects. The St. Joseph Health System, a sponsor of the event, was up to the challenge of taking care of the runners as the event's primary medical provider. For the fifth year, HDSCS radio operators in distinctive blue vests provided communications for all of the half-marathon medical teams.

In the first Disney half-marathon, the medical teams communicated with push-to-talk cell phones. There were no technical problems, but they found that this resource was awkward and inconvenient to use when they were simultaneously handling patient duties. Because HDSCS supports all hospitals in Orange County, we were requested to provide the medical communications for the following year. This was so successful that we have been invited back every year since.

The 2011 half-marathon course began near the Disneyland Hotel, passed through portions of the Disneyland Magic Kingdom, then out onto the streets of Anaheim to Anaheim Stadium, where it went along the field, past home plate. Runners went back via other city streets to the finish, after going through Disney California Adventure. HDSCS placed dedicated communicators at each of the four medical tents along the course, plus communicators at seven water stations, the Disneyland Command Center, the finish line, in the main medical tent after the finish, and in the family reunion tent. We had two communicators on bicycles roaming the course. We "shadowed" two of the key St. Joseph Health System leaders to provide immediate communications for them. There was also a HDSCS operator atop the main Disneyland parking structure to serve as a Net Control and to relay messages as necessary.

Throughout the race, the Command Center at Disneyland Central First Aid was constantly in touch with every medical location and all key personnel. Every message was quickly handled, including "runner down" and "runner needs assistance" calls. There were numerous requests for replenishment of medical supplies.

Meanwhile, our communicators at the finish line, main medical tent, and reunion area were very busy. Fortunately, this year's race weather was not excessively hot. The sun didn't poke through the overcast until 9:00 AM. Nevertheless, with so many inexperienced runners, the 30-bed medical unit was quite active.

When it was all over and everyone had headed home for a nap, it was clear that the Amateur Radio link was a major contributor to the St. Joseph Medical Teams being able to provide excellent care.

HDSCS member communicators for the 2011 half-marathon were (in alphabetical order by name):

     Paul Broden K6MHD
     Bruce Chappell KE6TSM
     Dave Conklin KI6LYZ
     Louie DeArman K6SM
     Richard Deen KI6HWY
     Tom Gaccione WB2LRH
     Reid Green KF6LOK
     Rebecca Katzen KI6OEM
     Mark Kern KE6QXF
     Doug Lindow KJ6ILK
     Andrea Martinez K2ALM
     Pete Martinez K2PTM
     Jim McLaughlin AB6UF
     April Moell WA6OPS
     Joe Moell KØOV
     Justin Miller KI6AFZ
     Robert Moore KW6B
     Dale Petes KI6ANS
     Dave Popko AF6TN
     Ken Simpson W6KOS
     Tom Smith KB6A
     Fred Wagner KQ6Q
     Corky Walker KG6YWY
     John Walker AC7GK
     Dave West KI6EPI
     Woody Woodward W6PA

Once again, HDSCS communicators have proven the value of trained, educated, and well-prepared portable communicators in assisting medical personnel during their care of patients, regardless of the setting. Disney representatives tell us how impressed they are by our seriousness and professionalism. In a previous year, a staff member at one of St. Joseph's medical tent said, "You folks make it so much easier for us to relax and do our thing.  We don't have to worry about getting help if we need it."

Jim McLaughlin AB6UF set up his ham station in the Disneyland Command Center and worked directly with emergency care providers, including the on-site dispatcher for Care Ambulance.  All "runner down" calls were routed through Jim.  Beside him in this photo is Jan Zimmerman, the designated Point of Contact for the St. Joseph Medical team. (DW)

Pete Martinez K2PTM mounted his radio set onto his bicycle to "shadow" a bicycling St. Joseph Health System Emergency Medical Technician." They roamed the race course to provide rapid response to any reports of runners in distress. (DP)

The other HDSCS bicycle communicator on the course was Reid Green KF6LOK, shown at left in this photo with Louie DeArman K6SM at Water Station E. (LD)

Each water station was a large and busy place.  HDSCS communicators called for supplies as needed and kept watch for possible medical problems among the racers. (LD)

At the finish line, Dale Petes KI6ANS (in blue vest) provided communications for medical staff members (in red shirts). (DP)

HDSCS Net Control operated from a van atop the large Disneyland parking structure. (JM)

One week before the event, the Amateur Radio communicators met to get credentials and receive information and instructions. (JM)

Photos by Louie DeArman K6SM (LD),  Joe Moell KØOV (JM),  Dale Petes KI6ANS (DP),  and Dave West KI6EPI (DW).

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This page updated 22 September 2011