Mass Casualty Incidents (MCIs) in EMS

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What is the minimum number of patients required to classify a situation as a mass-casualty incident?

Two

Five

Ten

Three (correct)

What is the primary purpose of the incident command system (ICS) in disaster response?

To ensure that patients are transported to the nearest hospital

To do the greatest good for the greatest number of people (correct)

To allocate limited resources to the most critically injured patients

To establish a clear chain of command during emergency responses

What is the National Incident Management System (NIMS) primarily designed to promote?

Development of new emergency medical procedures

Standardization of patient care protocols

Interagency cooperation at the local level

Efficient coordination of emergency incidents at the regional, state, and national levels (correct)

In which year was the National Incident Management System (NIMS) implemented?

2004 Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key components of the National Incident Management System (NIMS)?

Standardization in terminology, resource classification, personnel training, and certification Signup and view all the answers

Who implemented the National Incident Management System (NIMS) in 2004?

The Secretary of Homeland Security Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of the Incident Command System (ICS)?

To achieve incident management goals Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary responsibility of the Logistics Section in the ICS?

Providing medical equipment and supplies Signup and view all the answers

Which ICS component focuses on solving problems as they arise during an incident?

Planning Section Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the Safety Officer in the ICS?

To monitor the scene for hazardous conditions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key principle of the ICS?

Limiting the span of control of any one individual Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the Command Staff in the ICS?

Advising the Incident Commander Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the incident action plan in the ICS?

To provide clear, concise information about incident activities Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary responsibility of the Operations Section in the ICS?

Managing tactical operations Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect of the ICS's communication strategy?

Using clear text and common terminology to facilitate communication Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the Incident Commander in the ICS?

To oversee the overall incident response Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary responsibility of the Public Information Officer (PIO)?

To provide the public and media with clear and understandable information Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of checking in with the incident commander upon arrival at an incident?

To be assigned to a supervisor for job tasking Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of incident record keeping?

To track time spent on the actual incident for reimbursement purposes Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of accountability in the incident command system?

To keep the supervisor advised of your location, actions, and completed tasks Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a joint information center (JIC)?

To allow for cooperation with PIOs from other agencies Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of preparedness in the incident command system?

Decisions made and basic planning done before an incident occurs Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the size-up process in the incident command system?

To assess the incident and make preliminary decisions Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of establishing command in the incident command system?

To coordinate resources effectively and efficiently Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended method of communication in the incident command system?

Using face-to-face communication to limit radio traffic Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Medical Branch of Incident Command?

To coordinate medical resources during an incident Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for assessing the neurologic status of a patient?

To prioritize patients who are unconscious or unresponsive Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common cause of cardiac arrest in children?

Respiratory arrest Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the JumpSTART triage system?

To triage pediatric patients younger than 8 years or weighing less than 100 lb Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if a pediatric patient is not breathing?

Check the pulse and label the patient as expectant Signup and view all the answers

What is the priority for patients who are hysterical and disruptive to rescue efforts?

Immediate priority Signup and view all the answers

How should immediate-priority patients be transported?

Two at a time until all are transported Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of declaring a disaster?

Only an elected official can declare a disaster Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a responder in a disaster?

To respond when requested and report to the Incident Commander (IC) for assigned tasks Signup and view all the answers

What happens if hospitals decide they cannot treat all patients in their facility during a disaster?

They mobilize medical and nursing teams with equipment Signup and view all the answers

How long may emergency responders be on the scene of a disaster?

Days to weeks Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the medical branch director in the ICS?

To supervise the triage, treatment, and transport of injured people Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary responsibility of the triage supervisor?

To count and prioritize patients Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the staging area in an MCI?

To stage emergency vehicles prior to deployment Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the physician on scene in an MCI?

To make difficult triage decisions and provide on-scene medical direction Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of the rehabilitation supervisor?

To provide rest, fluids, food, and protection to responders Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the morgue supervisor in an MCI?

To work with area medical examiners and coroners to coordinate removal of bodies Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary consideration for declaring an MCI?

The number of patients exceeding the number of available ambulances Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary responsibility of the treatment supervisor?

To set up the treatment area and provide secondary triage Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the transportation supervisor in an MCI?

To coordinate the transportation of patients to hospitals Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary consideration for the location of the rehabilitation area?

Away from exhaust fumes and crowds Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a casualty collection area?

To perform triage and prioritize patients for transportation Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of the HAZWOPER standard?

To provide training for first responders at a hazmat incident Signup and view all the answers

What should a first responder at the awareness level be able to do?

Recognize the presence of hazardous substances and respond accordingly Signup and view all the answers

What should you do when approaching the scene of a potential hazmat incident?

Approach the scene from a safe location and direction Signup and view all the answers

What is a hazardous material?

Any material that poses a risk to people or the environment Signup and view all the answers

What can be a good indicator of the possible presence of a hazardous material?

The location and type of building Signup and view all the answers

What should you avoid doing when approaching the scene of a potential hazmat incident?

Relying solely on the type of container to determine the hazardous material Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of dividing containers into bulk and nonbulk storage containers?

To determine the volume of the container Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical visual indicator of a hazardous material incident?

The presence of a hazardous material placard Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if you are overcome by a hazardous material?

Try to escape the area and get fresh air Signup and view all the answers

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

To prioritize patients based on the severity of their injuries Signup and view all the answers

What is the term 'sorting' in the context of disaster response?

Triage Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of tagging patients during primary triage?

To categorize patients based on their condition Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'ST' in the START triage method?

Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment Signup and view all the answers

What is the criteria used to categorize a patient as immediate priority in the START triage method?

Respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute or less Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of assessing the hemodynamic status of a patient during triage?

To assess the patient's hemodynamic status Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of retriage during a mass-casualty incident?

To reassess patients and upgrade their triage category as necessary Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of labeling patients with triage tags?

To categorize patients based on their condition Signup and view all the answers

Who should communicate the number of patients in each triage category to the medical branch director?

The triage supervisor Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of START triage?

To triage patients quickly and accurately Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of secondary containment systems in bulk storage containers?

To control spilled or released product if the main containment vessel fails Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical capacity range of totes?

119 gallons to 703 gallons Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Department of Transportation (DOT) marking system?

To indicate the presence of a hazardous material from a safe distance and provide clues about the substance Signup and view all the answers

What type of containers are used to transport and store corrosives and other types of chemicals?

Carboys Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Emergency Response Guidebook?

To offer guidance for responders operating at a hazmat incident Signup and view all the answers

What type of information is provided in material safety data sheets (MSDS)?

Basic information about the chemical makeup of a substance, potential hazards it presents, and appropriate first aid in the event of an exposure Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of shipping papers?

To include the names and addresses of the shipper and the receiver, identify the material being shipped, and specify the quantity and weight of each part of the shipment Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum amount of hazardous material that requires a placard on the transportation vehicle?

A certain amount of hazardous material, which varies depending on the type of material Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Chemical Transportation Emergency Center (CHEMTREC)?

To provide emergency response assistance for transportation-related incidents involving hazardous materials Signup and view all the answers

What type of containers are used to store substances such as nitrogen, argon, helium, and oxygen?

Uninsulated compressed gas cylinders Signup and view all the answers

Mass Casualty Incidents (MCIs) in EMS

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Questions and Answers

What is the minimum number of patients required to classify a situation as a mass-casualty incident?

What is the primary purpose of the incident command system (ICS) in disaster response?

What is the National Incident Management System (NIMS) primarily designed to promote?

In which year was the National Incident Management System (NIMS) implemented?

What is one of the key components of the National Incident Management System (NIMS)?

Who implemented the National Incident Management System (NIMS) in 2004?

What is the primary goal of the Incident Command System (ICS)?

What is the primary responsibility of the Logistics Section in the ICS?

Which ICS component focuses on solving problems as they arise during an incident?

What is the primary role of the Safety Officer in the ICS?

Which of the following is a key principle of the ICS?

What is the primary function of the Command Staff in the ICS?

What is the purpose of the incident action plan in the ICS?

What is the primary responsibility of the Operations Section in the ICS?

What is a key aspect of the ICS's communication strategy?

What is the primary role of the Incident Commander in the ICS?

What is the primary responsibility of the Public Information Officer (PIO)?

What is the purpose of checking in with the incident commander upon arrival at an incident?

What is the main purpose of incident record keeping?

What is the primary goal of accountability in the incident command system?

What is the purpose of a joint information center (JIC)?

What is the primary focus of preparedness in the incident command system?

What is the main purpose of the size-up process in the incident command system?

What is the primary goal of establishing command in the incident command system?

What is the recommended method of communication in the incident command system?

What is the purpose of the Medical Branch of Incident Command?

What is the primary reason for assessing the neurologic status of a patient?

What is the most common cause of cardiac arrest in children?

What is the purpose of the JumpSTART triage system?

What should be done if a pediatric patient is not breathing?

What is the priority for patients who are hysterical and disruptive to rescue efforts?

How should immediate-priority patients be transported?

What is the purpose of declaring a disaster?

What is the role of a responder in a disaster?

What happens if hospitals decide they cannot treat all patients in their facility during a disaster?

How long may emergency responders be on the scene of a disaster?

What is the primary role of the medical branch director in the ICS?

What is the primary responsibility of the triage supervisor?

What is the purpose of the staging area in an MCI?

What is the role of the physician on scene in an MCI?

What is the primary goal of the rehabilitation supervisor?

What is the role of the morgue supervisor in an MCI?

What is the primary consideration for declaring an MCI?

What is the primary responsibility of the treatment supervisor?

What is the role of the transportation supervisor in an MCI?

What is the primary consideration for the location of the rehabilitation area?

What is the primary purpose of a casualty collection area?

What is the primary goal of the HAZWOPER standard?

What should a first responder at the awareness level be able to do?

What should you do when approaching the scene of a potential hazmat incident?

What is a hazardous material?

What can be a good indicator of the possible presence of a hazardous material?

What should you avoid doing when approaching the scene of a potential hazmat incident?

What is the primary purpose of dividing containers into bulk and nonbulk storage containers?

What is a critical visual indicator of a hazardous material incident?

What should you do if you are overcome by a hazardous material?

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

What is the term 'sorting' in the context of disaster response?

What is the purpose of tagging patients during primary triage?

What is the 'ST' in the START triage method?

What is the criteria used to categorize a patient as immediate priority in the START triage method?

What is the purpose of assessing the hemodynamic status of a patient during triage?

What is the purpose of retriage during a mass-casualty incident?

What is the purpose of labeling patients with triage tags?

Who should communicate the number of patients in each triage category to the medical branch director?

What is the purpose of START triage?

What is the primary purpose of secondary containment systems in bulk storage containers?

What is the typical capacity range of totes?

What is the purpose of the Department of Transportation (DOT) marking system?

What type of containers are used to transport and store corrosives and other types of chemicals?

What is the purpose of the Emergency Response Guidebook?

What type of information is provided in material safety data sheets (MSDS)?

What is the purpose of shipping papers?

What is the minimum amount of hazardous material that requires a placard on the transportation vehicle?

What is the purpose of the Chemical Transportation Emergency Center (CHEMTREC)?

What type of containers are used to store substances such as nitrogen, argon, helium, and oxygen?