Reflection on the Boston Marathon Bombing
5 years ago today, two bombs blew up at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. I was in my senior year at Boston College, which sits along mile 21 of the marathon. Like every other student, I had been watching the marathoners go by on Commonwealth Avenue all day. Like many other students, I was also a licensed EMT who volunteered with the campus first aid squad. While I wasn't technically on duty that day, when the bombing happened I suited up and reported. Which is how I ended up in St. Ignatius Church with 400 stranded marathon runners, and several dozen volunteer EMTs trying to triage patients, provide comfort, and make sense of everything. It was something of a watershed moment for Eagle EMS, which has since been renamed BC EMS , and which still coordinates emergency medical care along mile 21. It was also a traumatic day for lots of people, myself included. I get sad and nervous on every April 15, and in fact I've spent most of today sleeping and/or hiding in my apart