Mosaic highlights safety protocols for training camp

By Leah Rainwater

The hot and humid summer weather in St. Joseph calls for extra safety precautions for those who plan to visit Chiefs Training Camp, and medical staff are doing everything necessary to be prepared.

Mosaic Life Care, who is a sponsor for Chiefs Training Camp, is expanding its services this year to try to make sure attendees of the camp are able to enjoy activities in a safe and healthy way.

Some of these services include nursing stations for mothers, cool-down areas, a few extra medical tents for minor injuries and extra staff who will be stationed around the practice field.

This year, instead of wearing neon yellow shirts, the medical team will be wearing electric blue, to not confuse anyone between the sea of red and yellow.

One big issue that the first aid team sees often during camp, is heat-related illnesses.

Jonathan Eivins is the trauma stroke services program manager at Mosaic and is also the lead medical contact for training camp. He said staying hydrated before attending is a must.

“Really drink a lot of water, dress appropriately, know what the weather conditions are gonna be, cause again, if you’re sitting in the bleachers, that heat is going to absorb into you and just reflect onto you,” Eivins said.

Eivins said there will also be new equipment, some being life-saving devices.

Last year, a woman died at training camp, and while her cause of death was determined to be a cardiac issue, Mosaic Life Care and training camp partner Buchanan County EMS want to be prepared for any emergency that could arise. He also said the nurses who will be helping out at camp this year are all trauma-trained.

With more medical stations around the field, Eivins said the first aid team will be able to keep a closer eye on fans, players, staff and others.

Chiefs Training Camp officially kicks off on Sunday, July 21, and goes through Aug. 15.