New Orleans EMS Faces Challenges As Super Bowl Win, Mardi Gras Coincide

NEW ORLEANS, La. -- EMS crews here are used to parties, but the one Sunday night following the Saints' Super Bowl victory will go down as one of the largest ever.

Anticipating a massive crowd, additional EMS crews were assigned to the area, said Jeb Tate, New Orleans EMS spokesman.

"Working in a party city, we are used to covering large events including Mardi Gras and the hundreds of thousands of revelers who partake in the festivities...We knew that a Super Bowl victory in conjunction with the first weekend of Mardi Gras would equal one of the biggest celebrations this city has ever seen," he said.

Tate said he and other veteran New Orleans EMS crews were both surprised and proud to have been part of it.

"I've been with EMS for nearly a decade, and I've never seen anything like it. Horns were honking; people were hanging out of cars yelling. Everyone was just so happy. Mardi Gras just doesn't compare..."

Tate said there was no civil unrest, just one huge celebration with "Who Dat?" reverberating through the city's historic downtown.

Up-staffing was a wise decision as crews were inundated with calls associated with intoxication and celebrations -- falls, sick people and minor trauma.

Medics staffed ATVs and SUVs as well as ambulances. From 6 p.m. Sunday through 6 a.m. Monday, they had handled 183 calls for service. "As soon as our paramedics off-loaded at hospitals, they were immediately assigned to another call," he said, adding that the surge started about 10:30 p.m., just after the Saints clinched the championship.

"It was so crowded you couldn't cross Bourbon Street. People were just so happy, and having a great, great time."

New Orleans EMS Director Dr. Jullette Saussy also was impressed by the crews' ability.

"First and foremost...Who Dat!" she said in a prepared statement. "New Orleans EMS could not be more proud to serve the home of the New Orleans Saints. We were faced with unchartered logistical challenges last night, and as always, the citizens and visitors of New Orleans received top-notch pre-hospital emergency medical care.

"The surge in call volume following our Super Bowl victory was tremendous. Through the concerted efforts of field and administrative personnel responding to calls for help, we were able to complete our mission. I could not ask for a more dedicated and skilled group of medics than those who make up our family at New Orleans EMS."

Tate said there's no time for personnel to take much of a breather. Mardi Gras celebrations have already started, and about 800,000 to 900,000 people are expected to attend the Saints' victory parade Tuesday evening.