NEW ORLEANS — The City of New Orleans today reminded all those attending parades for the remainder of the Mardi Gras season of the first aid stations set up along parade routes. These first aid stations are staffed by the New Orleans Health Department (NOHD), New Orleans Emergency Medical Services (NOEMS), the Medical Reserve Corps, NOLA Ready Volunteer Corps (NRVC) and Volunteer in Government of Responsibility (VIGOR) volunteers, with logistical and financial support from the American Red Cross and LCMC Health.
“Even during a celebratory time like Mardi Gras, public safety and public health remain at the top of my mind,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “That’s why our health team has proactively coordinated these first aid stations on the route and are prepared to assist parade goers with any medical issues that aren’t emergencies. Please, if a medical emergency does occur, call 9-1-1 and find the nearest first responder on the route.”
On parade days, first aid stations will be open one hour before the first float of the first parade until crowds disperse after the last parade. On the Uptown route, they can be found along St. Charles Ave. at Louisiana Ave., Jackson Ave., Harmony Circle and Canal St. On the Endymion route, they can be found at Orleans Ave. and N. Hennessey St.; N. Broad St. and Canal St.; and St. Charles Ave. and Canal St.
“We have strategically placed these first aid stations along the parade route so parade goers can have easy access, and our trained volunteers can attend to minor injuries quicker and ease the burden on emergency departments and our EMS system,” said Dr. Jennifer Avegno, Director of NOHD.
The volunteers working the first aid stations are CPR and first aid-certified and prepared to provide treatment for basic injuries. If the situation warrants, the trained professionals will assist in transporting parade-goers to a nearby emergency care location.
During the first weekend of parades, the first aid stations along the route had 95 volunteers across various programs, 721 assists and patient care visits and 4 transports to health care facilities. Approximately 500 COVID tests were given out.
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