In a mass casualty incident, what is the first action?

In a mass casualty incident, what is the first action?

• A. Call a staff meeting
• B. Activate incident command
• C. Notify only HR
• D. Lock all doors

Answer: (B)

When a mass casualty incident occurs, establishing organized leadership and a clear plan is essential for a rapid, coordinated response. The first action is to activate the incident command system, which sets up a defined chain of command, designates an Incident Commander, and creates an incident action plan. This structure ensures proper management of personnel, resources, and communications, and it prioritizes life safety. Activating incident command kick-starts the response, so responders know who is in charge, what the priorities are, and how to request additional resources. It prevents delays that could come from informal or scattered decision-making. Choosing to call a staff meeting, notify only HR, or lock all doors would delay essential actions and hinder an effective response. The incident command activation is the first, guiding step that enables subsequent triage, patient care, and resource deployment to occur smoothly and safely.

When a mass casualty incident occurs, establishing organized leadership and a clear plan is essential for a rapid, coordinated response. The first action is to activate the incident command system, which sets up a defined chain of command, designates an Incident Commander, and creates an incident action plan. This structure ensures proper management of personnel, resources, and communications, and it prioritizes life safety.

Activating incident command kick-starts the response, so responders know who is in charge, what the priorities are, and how to request additional resources. It prevents delays that could come from informal or scattered decision-making.

Choosing to call a staff meeting, notify only HR, or lock all doors would delay essential actions and hinder an effective response. The incident command activation is the first, guiding step that enables subsequent triage, patient care, and resource deployment to occur smoothly and safely.