HDSCS Supports 2009 Disney Half-Marathon

At 6 AM on September 6, 2009, approximately 14,000 runners set out on the fourth annual Disney Half Marathon, a fund-raiser to support City of Anaheim community service projects. The St. Joseph Health System, a primary sponsor of the event, was up to the challenge of taking care of the runners as the event's primary medical provider. For the third year, HDSCS radio operators 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 2007 event. This was so successful that we were invited back in 2008 and 2009.

The 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 six 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 with St. Joseph's mobile medical teams. 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. 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 this event were (in alphabetical order by name):

     Monique Beringer KI6RVT
     Patricia Beringer KI6RVU
     Tim Beringer KI6RVS
     Paul Broden K6MHD
     Bruce Crabtree KI6RZW
     Louie DeArman K6SM
     Richard Deen KI6HWY
     Tom Gaccione WB2LRH
     Tom Hall N6DGK
     Bill Hegardt K6WIL
     Scott Lolmaugh WD8ICK
     Andrea Martinez K2ALM
     Pete Martinez K2PTM
     Jim McLaughlin AB6UF
     Justin Miller KI6AFZ
     April Moell WA6OPS
     Joe Moell KØOV
     Ken Simpson W6KOS
     Tom Smith KB6A
     Alex Valdez K9BLK
     Fred Wagner KQ6Q
     John Walker AC7GK
     Al Way KC6LNP
     Dave West KI6EPI
     Woody Woodward NJ6W
     Larry Zysman N6BNM

In addition, Jon Schaffer W6UFS and Jackie Schaffer WA6AKP monitored the nets from their home and kept detailed logs to assist Net Control.

Once again, HDSCS communicators have proven the value of trained, educated, and well-prepared portable communicators in assisting medical personnel in the care of patients, regardless of the setting. After the 2008 half-marathon, the Disney representative in the Disneyland Command Center indicated how impressed she was by our seriousness and professionalism. The Supervisor of St. Joseph's main medical tent said, "You're my go-to guys to get what I need quickly!" The Operations Division Manager of Care Ambulance Service told us, "Your group is always a pleasure to have around. I know Disney and Anaheim Fire also appreciated it when we needed to do inventory checks on all the medical tents."

Justin Miller KI6AFZ was one of the communicators at Medical Tent #3, working directly with St. Joseph Medical System staff members.

Our two bicycle communicators were Tom Hall N6DGK and Pete Martinez K2PTM.

At left, Tom Gaccione WB2LRH getting ready to shadow the Race Director. At right, Louie DeArman K6SM (standing) and Woody Woodward NJ6W at Medical Tent #4.

At left, Tom Smith KB6A in the Reunion Area. At right, Larry Zysman N6BNM and Paul Broden K6MHD at at Medical Tent #2.

Jim McLaughlin AB6UF (at left) set up a ham station in the Disneyland Command Center and worked directly with officials, including Care Ambulance Division Manager Rob Viera (at right), who was the on-site dispatcher.

Photos by Tom Hall N6DGK, April Moell WA6OPS, Joe Moell KØOV and Dave West KI6EPI.

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This page updated 7 September 2009