Local News
4| Friday, August 2, 2013
NEWINGTON TOWN CRIER
Area man shares account of bombing with Kiwanis Continued from Page 1
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As assistant to the Marathon’s Medical Director Chris Troyanos, he was inside the medical tent near the finish line when the first of two bombs exploded about 300 feet away. “All this white smoke started rolling in and people started looking at each other like, what the hell was that?” Kramer remembered. Suddenly the net control center that all operators were required to call every 30 minutes was flooded by reports coming in from up and down Boylston Street. “That’s when they started wheeling in people — some bleeding pretty badly — and all non-medical personnel were told to leave the tent,” said Kramer, who was asked to help bus dispatchers prepare to transport people out of the city. “People were screaming; it was one of the most bizarre scenes I’ve ever encountered,” he added. “I had to be prepared Erica Schmitt | Staff because anything could happen. I had my Harold Kramer, chief operating officer of yellow jacket and IDs on so I looked offi- the ARRL National Association for Amateur which is based in Newington, spoke cial, and people were asking me, ‘how do I Radio, Monday night at Paradise Pizza in New Britget out of here?’” ain about his experience at this year’s Boston It wasn’t long before the command Marathon, when his volunteer duties as a ham center told radio operators to leave Boston radio operator became part of emergency reand let police, fire and EMS personnel sponse to the bombings. handle the disaster. The day may have been over for Kramer, who at that point tor and a Newington police officer for 20 made the long trek to find his car, but it years. “To be prepared in your clothing, radio, was the lessons learned in emergency planmindset — that all has to be there,” ning and response he will carry forever. Carrying some type of smart phone added Sautter, who invites those interested to join the next CERT with internet capaclass beginning Sept. 5. bilities he found to be Registration is through essential, as most peothe office of Newington ple at the event knew Human Services. less about the circumNewington Kiwanis stances of the tragedy President Bob Seiler than those reading or Sr., who happens to be watching news reports Sautter’s husband, is a from the outside did. retired Newington police Also, his phone had sergeant who spent 25 GPS capabilities that years on the force and led him to locate his now chairs the Board of car to vacate the city Fire Commissioners. He and help others find also found the evening their own destinations. HAROLD KRAMER interesting and informaBut most importantly, tive. Kramer told those who “One thing everybody has to remember attended Monday’s meeting he was able to check in with his wife and daughter to is, when something dramatic happens, people take a cue from the way you act,” let them know he was OK. Members of Newington’s newly-formed he cautioned the group. “If you’re a person Community Emergency Response Team of authority and people see you running (CERT) listened to him speak to expand around in circles, they’re going to run in upon their knowledge of emergency bigger circles.” response. “Based on his experiences there I knew Erica Schmitt can be reached at (860) it would be informative for CERT folks 225-4601, ext. 210, or eschmitt@newbritto hear,” said Meg Sautter, team coordina- ainherald.com.
“People were screaming; it was one of the most bizarre scenes I’ve ever encountered. I had to be prepared because anything could happen.”