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 and provide urgent care to patients. This involves quickly assessing the medical needs of numerous victims to prioritize treatment based on the severity of their conditions. Triage is crucial in these situations because it allows responders to allocate limited resources effectively, ensuring that those who are most critically injured receive care as soon as possible.

In such chaotic environments, paramedics must quickly determine which patients require immediate intervention and which can wait. This process not only maximizes survival rates but also helps manage the flow of patients to medical facilities efficiently. By focusing on urgent care, paramedics can stabilize patients in need and facilitate their transport to hospitals, ultimately improving outcomes amidst the overwhelming number of casualties.