ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — In less than 48 hours, the roar of engines and smell of burning rubber will roll through downtown St. Petersburg for the much-anticipated 20th Annual Firestone Grand Prix.
While local, state and federal law enforcement will have a big presence keeping crowds safe, volunteers have also been training in case of emergency.
Medical emergencies and cardiac events can happen anywhere, and with 140,000 people expected to take in the race and festivities through the weekend, volunteers will be ready to spring into action if needed.
“I'm really looking forward to it, it's a great weekend,” said Jace Kole, a volunteer from Tarpon Springs.
This year, Kole is watching over a grandstand with a new tool in his belt, “I feel very confident in jumping in and helping somebody out without question,” he said.
Kole is now trained in CPR, thanks to a new program from the Grand Prix’s healthcare sponsor Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital and the American Heart Association.
“You just never know if there is going to be something and to give them the confidence and the skills, the techniques to perform CPR efficiently in an emergency is really important,” said Kelliann Giufurta, a registered nurse and learning specialist at Bayfront.
“They were so enthusiastic, it was really, really awesome to work with these guys. And they asked pertinent questions, really wanted to gain the skills to actively perform CPR in the event they had to,” Giufurta said of the volunteers she helped train.
The skills to perform CPR confidentially are important because early intervention ahead of paramedic response can be life-saving.
“At an event like the Grand Prix, where there's over 140,000 people going through there, it's extremely critical to empower the volunteers if they see something happening to be able to respond and alert emergency medical services,” said Courtney Burt, vice president of community impact for the American Heart Association in Tampa Bay.
“In groups, and community-based organizations where we do this training, we've seen survival ratings come up to 70-80%,” Burt said.
Through his new training, Kole said he’s ready for whatever the weekend may bring until the checkered flag and beyond.
“People get dehydrated, you can have cardiac issues," Burt said. "But also good times are possible too,” Kole said.