Phoenix-area health care providers deployed to DC for McCain services

PHOENIX — Four health care providers from Arizona were deployed to Washington, D.C. on Friday to provide medical support during the lying-in state of the late Sen. John McCain.

Casey Deignan, a firefighter and paramedic from Glendale; Phillip Johnson, a fire captain and paramedic from Phoenix; Michael Norling, a fire captain and paramedic from north Phoenix; and Christine Roberts, a nurse from Peoria, were among the more than 6,000 team members who were present during McCain’s ceremony.

They were chosen to serve as members of the National Disaster Medical System’s Disaster Medical Assistance Team.

The team, along with U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps officers, was set to provide everything from basic medical care to advanced life support to the thousands of people from around the nation who attended the event.

“Typically at events like this, we see people who have minor cuts or sprains or other non-life threatening injuries (or) illness,” Ron Miller, the acting director of the National Disaster Medical System, said in a statement.

“However, we also have provided initial life-saving care for more serious injuries or illnesses and stabilized patients for transportation by D.C. Fire (and) EMS to a local hospital.”

Thousands of people were expected to pay their respects to McCain as he lie in state at the U.S. Capitol on Friday.

A funeral ceremony, where his family, colleagues, staff and the public honored his life and service, started around 11 a.m. D.C. time.

The public will be invited to view McCain’s casket after the ceremony. Members of the public will be allowed to enter the Capitol as long as they are in line by 8 p.m. D.C. time.

On Saturday, McCain will be carried by Armed Forces Body Bearers from the U.S. Capitol and moved by motorcade to Washington National Cathedral. The motorcade was expected to kick off at 8:30 a.m. D.C. time.

The public will be allowed to line the procession route along Constitution Avenue.

The motorcade was expected to pause at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial where McCain’s wife, Cindy, will lay a ceremonial wreath to honor those whose lives were lost during the Vietnam War.

Former presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama are expected to speak at his funeral on Saturday.

Then, on Sunday, a private memorial service will take place at the U.S. Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis, Maryland, starting at 2 p.m. D.C. time as McCain is put to rest.

McCain’s family, friends, congressional colleagues and staff, as well as U.S. and international leaders, were invited to attend and participate in the service.

KTAR News 92.3 FM will carry live, uninterrupted coverage of the national memorial service for Sen. John McCain at 7-9 a.m. Saturday.

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