The fellow will spend the January or February block at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, where the main focus will be a full week mass gathering event at the Waste Management Phoenix Open (WMPO). The WMPO is one of the largest multi-day mass gathering events in the US, with upwards of 300,000 people in attendance daily. The EMS fellow will be involved in both planning aspects as well as gaining knowledge in numerous agencies, resources and cooperation required to run an event of this magnitude. The fellow will also gain experience on integration of medical services with EMS as well as use of an alternative care site. In addition, there is the chance to attend the musical event after the WMPO at the Bird’s Nest, which is itself a mass gathering.

The rest of the month will allow the fellow the chance to experience different EMS systems.  This includes both urban and rural agencies including Phoenix Fire Department, Scottsdale Fire Department and Rio Verde Fire District, with possibilities for diverse complaints ranging from envenomations to heat related issues. There are also opportunities to spend time at a regional dispatch center which employs automatic aid to the Phoenix area, participate in tactical medical drills with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office and experience how Arizona DHS functions on a state level by attending committee meetings. Not to mention, the weather in Arizona during February is usually in the 70's and sunny.