BUFFALO, N.Y. -- During a week meant to honor EMS members in this country, a sobering reminder on the other side of the Atlantic about the types of situations they could one day face.
"What just recently happened in Manchester shows what happens, why we need to be prepared and why we constantly work," said Erie County Emergency Services Commissioner Dan Neaverth, Jr.
"We do trainings, especially when it pertains to large-scale events, whether it's at the KeyBank Center or, of course, New Era Field so that when people come there it's a safe environment," Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz (D) said.
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown says there's a customized security plan for every special event that happens in the city. He also says police and law enforcement partners are working on increased security along waterfront areas like Canalside.
"As these venues grow in popularity, the need for enhanced security increases," Brown (D-Buffalo) said.
But those measures aren't specifically in response to what happened in Manchester.
Steve MacMartin, director of Medaille College's Homeland Security Program, says one of the key things to notice about this attack is where it happened.
"They attacked the natural choke point," said MacMartin. "It was the location of the attack that was effective -- because people were naturally concentrated there in groups."
Since there's only so far security can expand the area of metal detectors and other checks around a venue, MacMartin says the next step is to look at more efficient ways to move people through crowded areas.
"There has to be a way to prevent people from backing up. Event organizers are going to have to look at times, they're going to have to look at admissions policies, and exit policies," MacMartin said.
In the meantime, first responders continue to prepare for a day they hope will never come.