These are the guys you want waiting for you when you cross the finish line: the Arizona Disaster Medical Assistance Team 1.
“We’re the first line of defense,” said John Gorski, one of the leads at the tent at the finish line at 12th and 6th streets in TEP’s parking lot. “When it’s something major we call the Fire Department. Usually it’s someone fell and skinned their knee or they need rehydration. A few years ago when it rained riders had hypothermia.”
One of Gorski’s teammates, Lance Zaaks, who has been volunteering for El Tour for three years, has a strategy on how to help riders.
“Once the riders come in, I watch them as they get off their bikes,” he said. “If they are really stiff, I can see it and go over to assist them.”
