The impact doesn’t end when the sirens fade

While the immediate crisis had passed, the emotional toll of that night remained. For first responders, these moments don’t simply fade. They leave lasting psychological effects that must be addressed before an organization can truly move forward. That early morning—when 14 people were killed and 57 more were injured—underscored the vital role of first responders and the need for robust mental health support for those on the front lines.

"Once we cleared the last patient off the scene, we did a quick check to make sure our providers were accounted for,” Chief Salmeron added. “We were very conscious about how this would affect our staff.”

The psychological weight on New Orleans’ first responders was immense, and Chief Salmeron and his team knew they had to prioritize their well-being. Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) working on Bourbon Street that morning were given the option to take the rest of the week off while the department conducted critical debriefings to help them process the trauma. MCIs of this scale are exceedingly rare for emergency units.

"If you were to take someone out of [EMT] school, they are not supposed to see this in their entire career,” Chief Salmeron says. "You don't see this kind of carnage in civilian EMS—you just don't."

Backing first responders who never back down

Significant mental health support was put into action for Chief Salmeron’s team, including a licensed counselor on staff, peer-to-peer programs, and even nine therapy dogs to ease anxiety. A local hospital also stepped in with additional mental health resources to ensure staff had access to the care they needed.

"There were a lot of emotions and a lot of feelings, like, 'Could I have done more?'” Chief Salmeron says. "You go through the gamut. But that's what you do—you are a first responder."

Despite the emotional reckoning from that morning, resilience defined Chief Salmeron’s EMS team. By the following week, every single member of his team was back on duty, a testament to the strength of both individuals and the support systems in place.

“People need to know how critical first responders are,” Chief Salmeron said. “First responders need to be supported, they need to be paid properly, they need resources, and they need to be taken care of because it can be a matter of life and death.”

Resilience and readiness for large events

Chief Salmeron and his team focused on ensuring their staff had the support they needed to process the tragedy while preparing for the large-scale events ahead—from the Sugar Bowl one day after the attack, to "the Big Game" and Mardi Gras. With the last two events fast approaching, their resilience and readiness have remained a top priority.

New Orleans’ EMS department, which consists of 150-plus staffers led by Chief Salmeron, is already tasked with citywide 911 coverage (70,000 calls a year) and special units in high-density areas like the French Quarter—on top of safeguarding Mardi Gras, a celebration woven into the city's culture that attracts over one million visitors over a 2-week timespan. Even though his team has been preparing to host “the Big Game” for a year and a half, the MCI on New Year’s has meant heightening security and safety plans for all the city’s largest events going forward. "The Big Game” and Mardi Gras have been designated the highest-level special event assessment rating (SEAR 1) by the federal government. This opens the door for a more robust public safety presence in New Orleans over the coming weeks. Working with local, state, and federal law enforcement, they plan to see tighter perimeters for tourists and other passersby, reinforced barricades, and increased vigilance to ensure both public and responder safety.

For “the Big Game” in the Big Easy, Chief Salmeron and his team are working tirelessly to leave nothing to chance. They are also working to ensure that any learnings from this game will be reflected in how they serve Mardi Gras. Chief Salmeron is thankful for the great partnerships New Orleans EMS has with other public, hospital, and private ambulance providers, which he says have created a strong regional healthcare team that is battle tested and the best in the business.

From Bourbon Street to the Superdome, New Orleans EMS is proving that resilience isn’t just about bouncing back—it’s about coming back stronger. Through enhanced training, cutting-edge technology, and a relentless commitment to protecting their city, they are turning the hardest lessons into life-protecting innovations.

While Chief Salmeron and his team strengthen their emergency response systems, they’re also reinforcing a message to New Orleans: The Big Easy is built to host.