Andrew Mollenbeck, wtop.com
BETHESDA, Md. – These are the hottest tickets in town.
AT&T National, the golf tournament that starts Thursday at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, won’t only be a challenge golfers. Medical personnel will be on hand responding to dehydration and hyperthermia.
Daytime highs are expected to be near 100 degrees or higher through Sunday afternoon.
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue decided to call for backup in response to the scorching forecast. Fire Chief Richie Bowers says he’s adding additional unit care and transport personnel because of the heat.
Five EMS units had already been assigned to the tournament. Two or three more transport units are now going to be joining the on-site response team.
Along with the heat, the course itself is hilly and has large areas exposed to the sun.
“We’re prepared with IV fluids and oral fluids,” says Dr. Mike Pirri, an attending physician working in one of three medical tents at the course.
“It’s our job to try to minimize the amount of transport and overwhelming the general public and hospitals in this area,” says Drew Maurano, a physician’s assistant.
In addition to the three first aid stations serving as a general treatment area, there’s a private patient viewing area where physicians can cardiac monitor and provide advanced care while deciding if a patient needs to be transported.
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