Across the country in many cities there are many fans that attend Japanese Anime Conventions. Recently after the weekend of  Firehouse Expo in Baltimore City, Md , the Baltimore Convention Center was filled to the brime by attendees for Otakon one of the largest Mid Atlantic Anime Coventions on the East Coast the next weekend.

I have attend Otakon and and a few others over the years. Mostly as a attendee I have enjoyed alot of what was offered during the three to four days it takes for a con to setup and run.

Neko Con which I have attended for years was the first time I was asked to be part of the medic staff because there was need for certified EMTs on site.

With help from a friend  in the Tokyo Fire Service  I copied  the uniforms of the Japanese Fire Service to use while attending a con. I sort of stand out wearing them and have had people come looking for me when someone was hurt or sick. Being on staff you also get a radio while on duty to hear what is happening and respond.

I have been in the Baltimore Convention Center when the fire alarm has been pulled a few times. I have watched to be sure that other attendees have left an area before the staff security have asked that I move along with the other attendees. I have also helped with medical emergencys until con medical staff or BFD medics get there. I always have my fire dept ID I show if needed.  

The last time I remember the fire alarm was pulled the traffic in the area of the BCC came to a stop because of the amount of attendees trying to evacuate the place. Something like over 20,000. Plus getting them away from the building. The city police sent the crowd control unit.

Getting back in was a job because everyone has to be checked for attendance badges.

Now one other thing is that Baltimore Convention Center will be hosting a comicbook convention in Sept which would be some what close to a anime con.

One thing is the costumes attendees wear. Some you might have to do some extrication work to get to the person inside if they have a medical problem. Others watch what you do and besure you have person of the attendee's gender there also if you are the opposite gender because some of those costumes are sometimes reviling and very thin material. 

Other things are dance raves. You may have to deal with passed out attendees due to not eating or other actions that con staff frown on like drinking before attending the rave or someone having drugs.

We had to attend to improper touching during one year at a rave. The guy went out between two city cops.

I have wondered if anyone else has a attended a anime con as a attendee, staff member or the fire dept or ems service you work for sent you to standby or ran an emergency call where it was being held?