What should EMS personnel prioritize during a multi-casualty incident?

During a multi-casualty incident, EMS personnel must focus on utilizing triage to prioritize care based on the urgency of each patient's condition. This practice is critical because it allows responders to allocate limited resources effectively in situations where the number of injured exceeds the availability of medical attention. Triage categorizes patients into different levels of severity, enabling EMS personnel to identify and treat those with life-threatening injuries first, thereby maximizing the chances of survival for the greatest number of victims.

Engaging in triage helps distinguish between patients who require immediate intervention and those whose treatment can be delayed without jeopardizing their health. This structured approach ensures that the most critical patients receive timely care, which is essential for improving outcomes in a chaotic and high-pressure environment like a multi-casualty incident.