Community planning for medical support of a national political convention

A large political gathering such as the 1984 Republican National Convention provided the ingredients necessary to challenge a community’s medical system. A committee consisting of representatives from the city, the county hospital district, the Dallas County Medical Society, and the American Red Cross coordinated their efforts toward developing a comprehensive plan to provide medical support for all aspects of the convention. Provisions to deal with the following potential problems included: 1) the extreme heat; 2) security; 3) massive crowds on the convention floor; 4) the area in which the demonstrators were staying as well as the area in which the demonstrations were to occur; 5) special requirements for visiting dignitaries; and 6) terrorism. Eighty patients were seen in the protest area. Thirty-nine patients were treated by the Red Cross, and 518 patients were seen in the convention center. Ten patients required transportation to the hospital. Organization, coordination, and cooperation of all personnel and appropriate agencies helped ensure a smooth operation.