One Boston Day: Heroic Actions of First Responders to Marathon Bombing

Today marks the two-year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings and a new annual Boston tradition declared by Mayor Marty Walsh as “One Boston Day.” It provides us with the opportunity to remember all the victims and survivors of the horrible tragedy that took place on Marathon Monday in Boston, Massachusetts. It also offers the opportunity to reflect upon the bravery demonstrated by the fearless first responders who arrived on the scene that day.

bostonstrong There are numerous accounts of heroic first responders who took part in the rescue and treatment of victims on Boylston Street and around the city two years ago. There is the story of Dr. Ricky Kue, the EMS physician assigned to the medical station at the finish line. Kue, an army veteran, was likely one of few individuals on scene with blast injury experience from his 2008 deployment to Iraq. Kue believes his training and experience overseas were invaluable to his effective triage and treatment of patients that day.

There is also this account from Walter Dunbar , one of the first paramedics to arrive on the scene, who attributed the limited loss of life to the excellent training he and the rest of the EMS responders received. The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency concurred with Dunbar’s assessment stating in their report, “Although many patients sustained grave injuries, every patient who was transported to area hospitals survived.” Dunbar went on to run the Boston Marthon himself on the one-year anniversary of the bombing.

Then there is Rich Serino’s account of EMT, paramedic, police, and fire fighter response the day of the bombing. Serino, a 36-year EMS veteran in Boston, commends the actions of the responders that day stating in an art icle for the Boston Globe:

“There were many nights I went home proud of the men and women of Boston EMS, but I was never more proud of them and the residents of my town, than I was (that day).”

April 15^th will now forever serve as a reminder of the courageous efforts first responders in every community take each day to keep our lives safe. As Mayor Walsh said:

“April 15 is a date that has come to stand for our city’s deepest values. One Boston Day will inspire all of us to come together as the community we are and share the spirit of Boston by giving back.”

Please join our Fire and EMS team in a moment of silence at 2:49 PM, the time the first of two bombs exploded near the finish line, as we look forward in hope alongside the resilient city of Boston.