Fun & safety, hand in hand at Carmel Christkindlmarkt

Carmel Christkindlmarkt named Ascension St. Vincent Carmel as the first-aid partner for the 2024 season. As the season draws to a close, The Reporter spoke with Christkindlmarkt CEO Maria Adele Rosenfeld about how the partnership has worked for the benefit of visitors and the City of Carmel.

“We have had a first aid hut since last year,” Rosenfeld said. “And we were looking for a sponsor – a partner that would provide the staffing for first aid. We began to have those conversations even last year with Ascension. There’s just a lot of community value that both the market and Ascension have. It was a good fit. We’ve been very grateful for the partnership and all of the staff that they’ve been providing have just been wonderful to work with.”

In 2023, the market unveiled a first aid hut on site with a contractor rather than a sponsoring partner. Having a first aid hut on site in 2023 reduced the amount of 911 calls due to falls or other injuries.

“In years prior, we would call the fire department,” Rosenfeld said. “One of our goals with this was to help decrease the need for calls for ambulance when it might be something that could be addressed on site. Of course, if it’s a more serious or critical situation, we will absolutely reach out to the emergency services here in Carmel. But if it’s something that can be addressed with an ice pack and an evaluation, having those nurses on site to do that evaluation has been incredibly helpful.”

Photo provided by Carmel Christkindlmarkt

First aid hut staff has been a mix of nurses and EMTs.

At this hut, visitors to the Market can find basic medical care if they find themselves injured while ice skating or otherwise. Wheelchair rental is also offered through this hut, as well as an AED should it be needed.

“Ascension St. Vincent Carmel and the Christkindlmarkt are two premier organizations that have both received national recognition for their commitment to excellence, and we’re proud to celebrate the Christmas season together,” Ascension St. Vincent Carmel Hospital President Chad Dilley said. “We are excited to work together to fulfill the health needs of attendees at the Christkindlmarkt as the Exclusive Healthcare Partner.”

Rosenfeld told The Reporter she is thankful for Ascension’s sponsorship.

“We really do try to work with local partners and love the relationship that we’ve been able to build with Ascension,” Rosenfeld said. “We are looking forward to continuing to work with Ascension in the future and building new partnerships with other local organizations for the market in the future.”

Carmel Christkindlmarkt will close for the season at 4 p.m. Christmas Eve.

“We like for our vendors to be able to go and have Christmas Eve dinner with their families,” Rosenfeld said.