MCI Protocol

MCI, or mass casualty incident, refers to a situation that involves multiple victims. Examples of an MCI include car accidents, fires, terrorist attacks and natural disasters, such as a tornado. These situations require help from ambulance companies, fire and police departments.

Command Center

• First responders to an MCI create a command center. The command center must be located in a safe location near the incident scene. All communications and orders come from those in charge at the command center. First responders also alert their dispatch center as to the nature of the emergency, the approximate number of those on scene requiring treatment and the type of help necessary to assist them.

Triage

• Triage is a quick process of determining the medical condition of the victims involved in the MCI. Healthcare providers such as paramedics will often triage the patients. They look for life-threatening conditions and consider each person's prognosis during triage. Colored tags are used to identify the order in which patients are treated and transported. Patients whose conditions are severe with the possibility of positive outcomes are given priority.

Transport

• Patients are transported to the hospital in the order determined by the triage team. They may be transported by both ground and air. Ambulances or medical helicopters are needed for those patients who require treatment for their condition en route to the hospital. Those whose conditions are stable may be transported by other means, such as a bus or van. Patients should be taken to the nearest appropriate facility. Trauma patients are taken to trauma centers, burn patients are taken to burn centers and children are taken to pediatric centers.