1-17 DISASTER SITUATIONS

Duties of First Responding EMS Unit

A disaster situation is defined as multi-casualty incident that will likely tax the normal workings of the EMS system.  A disaster may be called for fewer patients depending on patient acuity at the discretion of the EMS Unit in charge of the scene. In the event that an EMT-Basic unit is the first on the scene, it has EMS jurisdiction until relieved by an ALS unit.  Any multi-casualty incident should require an ALS response.

Critical patients requiring immediate transfer to a receiving hospital should not be held at the scene until ALS arrival.  Efforts should be made to triage all patients first and wait for timely ALS arrival to assist in delegation of available EMS personnel.  

The following method shall be followed regardless of the level of the first responding EMS unit:

1. Survey incident area; make quick survey of all injured, stopping only to treat airway problems and severe copious, uncontrolled bleeding.
2. Decide who will be EMS officer.
3. Notify 911 Emergency Center as to:
   1. Nature of the problem
   2. Exact location of the incident
   3. Approximate number of injured
   4. Additional equipment needed
   5. Unit to act as command post; activation of disaster plan.
4. Begin tagging of patients when possible by first or second arriving crews
5. Refer to Brown County Disaster Plan for further information.

*State standard of 2 paramedics per squad may be waived in any multi-casualty incident or disaster.