What is the role of a paramedic during a mass casualty incident?

During a mass casualty incident, the primary role of a paramedic is to triage patients based on the severity of their injuries. This process is critical as it allows emergency medical responders to prioritize care and allocate resources effectively when faced with an overwhelming number of patients.

Triage involves assessing each victim's condition rapidly to determine who needs immediate medical attention, versus those who can wait for treatment. This is vital in a chaotic situation where time is limited, and multiple patients may have serious or life-threatening conditions. The objective is to maximize the number of survivors by providing the right care to the right person at the right time.

While providing emotional support and establishing communication lines with hospitals are important aspects of patient care and incident management, the immediate need during a mass casualty situation centers on prioritizing treatment based on clinical criteria. Documentation of patient interactions, although necessary for record-keeping and later follow-up, does not take precedence during the initial chaotic response phase where rapid assessment and action are crucial.