174
EMR
EMT
AEMT
Paramedic
Extended
Multiple Casualty Incident
1.
Triage starts by the first EMS provider on the scene. Note the number of victims, severity of injuries, and
resources needed to complete the incident.
2.
Incident Command System (ICS) shall be set up as soon as possible.
3.
The first EMS provider begins triage and assumes the position of Incident Commander. It is his/her
responsibility to oversee the operation until higher-ranking officers are available to take over.
4.
Triage starts by asking the non-injured and those only slightly injured to move to an area set up for them.
Have them stay in a group.
5.
The triage officer moves quickly through the victims manually opening airways only. Do not stop to do
treatment.
6.
A second EMS provider starts behind the triage officer and assesses patients with primary ABC’s. At this
time the patient receives a ribbon. Attempt to place ribbons consistently on the same limb, or in obvious
view.
Black
Dead or has no chance for survival
Red
Is in very critical condition and needs first treatment and transportation
Yellow
Serious condition, can wait for treatment and transport
Green
Good condition, can wait until last to be treated
No treatment can be provided yet if limited on help.
7.
It is very important to complete steps 5 and 6 before tying yourself up with treatment. This is particularly
true when very short staffed.
8.
The next sector needs to be assigned to the treatment area. The red tags shall be treated first. The most
critical patients shall be given to the next sector officer (transportation officer).
9.
The transportation officer has the responsibility to ensure that adequate and appropriate transportation is
available (squads, medics, helicopters). It is very important that the transportation officer keeps close
records of names and / or tag numbers of all patients transported and where they were sent.
10. This is the basic plan of action to be taken when you encounter multiple victims with limited help. This plan
of action can be altered by the Incident Commander on the scene. As help arrives on the scene, more EMS
personnel can be assigned to each sector officer as needed. As a sector finishes their task, they can be
reassigned. In some cases more sector officers may need to be added for other jobs such as extrication,
supply, staging, etc.
Incident Commander
*
Triage Sector
*
Tagging Sector
*
Treatment Sector
*
Transportation Sector
(Sectors can be added or deleted as needed.)
Multiple Casualty Incident