First Officer Response to Mass Casualty Incidents

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Questions and Answers

What should be the primary focus during the triage process?

Managing all patient concerns

Correcting life-threatening problems (correct)

Finding out patients' medical histories

Providing comfort and support

In the SALT triage method, what does the category 'GRAY' signify?

The patient is deceased

The patient is expected to die but is not dead yet (correct)

The patient requires immediate transport

The patient is stable and can wait

What is the order of treatment or transport according to the triage guidelines?

Deceased, Expectant, Immediate

Immediate, Delayed, Minimal (correct)

Immediate, Expectant, Minimal

Minimal, Delayed, Immediate

What role do officers play when assisting in a multiple agency response to a mass casualty incident?

Managing patient categorization and information relay to responders Signup and view all the answers

What does the acronym SALT stand for in relation to triage?

Sort, Assess, Life-Saving Interventions, Treatment/Transport Signup and view all the answers

What is the initial action taken during the triage phase?

Global sorting of patients based on visible conditions Signup and view all the answers

What system is implemented in Florida for handling multiple agency responses?

Incident Command System (ICS) Signup and view all the answers

Which category indicates a patient who has sustained minor injuries and can wait for treatment?

GREEN Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of triage during a mass casualty incident?

To determine the order in which patients receive medical attention Signup and view all the answers

What should be the first step of a first responder upon arriving at a mass casualty incident?

Conduct a scene size-up and establish command Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes the START method of triage?

A process for assessing many patients rapidly Signup and view all the answers

During an MCI, what should a first responder do with walking wounded individuals?

Gather them in a designated location for triage Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical initial task for the first officer at a mass casualty incident?

Communicating with dispatch and coordinating with other responders Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'do the most for the most' refer to in the context of triage?

Focusing medical resources on the highest number of patients Signup and view all the answers

What should be the priority for a first responder when there are multiple patients with severe injuries?

Evaluate and categorize patients based on injury severity Signup and view all the answers

In the context of a mass casualty incident, what does BSI stand for?

Body Substance Isolation Signup and view all the answers

What is the first action to take when addressing patients who can hear your voice and can walk?

Tell them to come to a designated area. Signup and view all the answers

In START triage, which color tag indicates a deceased patient?

BLACK Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if a patient's respiratory rate exceeds 30 breaths per minute?

Tag them as RED. Signup and view all the answers

How should perfusion be assessed during triage?

By checking for a radial pulse or capillary refill time. Signup and view all the answers

If a patient does not follow simple commands during mental status assessment, what tag should they receive?

RED Signup and view all the answers

Which mnemonic helps remember the assessment priorities during triage?

RPM Signup and view all the answers

What action should be taken with a patient who is still not breathing after clearing the airway?

Tag them as BLACK. Signup and view all the answers

What should be prioritized while making triage decisions in cases of borderline assessment?

Always triage to the most urgent priority. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Lesson Goal

Respond effectively as the first officer to a mass casualty incident (MCI).
Handle incidents with multiple casualties, such as traffic crashes, severe weather, and active threat situations.

First Officer Role

Conduct a scene size-up and establish command upon arrival.
Communicate with other first responders and dispatch simultaneously.
Prioritize and assess patients based on the severity of injuries before administering first aid.

Triage Process

Triage is sorting and categorizing patients to allocate medical attention effectively.
Aim to achieve 'the most for the most' rather than extensive treatment for a single patient.
Initial interventions, like tourniquet application, can be performed while assessing all patients quickly.
Follow local protocols and department policies concerning triage models.

START Triage Method

Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment (START) is effective for rapid assessment by minimally trained personnel.
Steps:
- Use BSI and appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
- Gather all walking wounded in one safer location.
- Triage and tag injured patients using color-coded ribbons.
Color Codes:
- RED: Immediate attention required
- YELLOW: Delayed attention
- GREEN: Minor injuries (ambulatory)
- BLACK: Deceased (non-salvageable)
Use the RPM mnemonic for assessment:
- Respiration: Check breathing rate, tag RED if >30 breaths/min, BLACK if not breathing.
- Perfusion: Assess radial pulse; no pulse or slow capillary refill means tag RED.
- Mental Status: Evaluate command-following; send those following commands to YELLOW, others to RED.

SALT Triage Method

Sort, Assess, Life-Saving Interventions, Treatment/Transport (SALT) incorporates additional categories.
Categories:
- RED: Immediate
- GRAY: Expectant (likely to die)
- YELLOW: Delayed
- GREEN: Minimal
- BLACK: Deceased
Focus initially on the most critical patients, ensuring immediate treatment and transport.

Multiple Agency Response

As an officer, your role may vary based on arrival time and local protocols (ICS implementation in Florida).
The incident commander may relinquish control, providing a situation report if needed.
Effective command and triage by the first officer alleviates scene stress and enhances the overall response efficiency.

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Description

This quiz assesses your knowledge and skills as a first officer responding to mass casualty incidents (MCI). You will be tested on scene size-up, triage processes, and effective communication in high-pressure situations. Mastery of the START triage method is essential for prioritizing patient care during emergencies.