Which first responders can perform triage during mass casualty incidents?

Paramedics are trained professionals who possess the skills and knowledge necessary to assess and prioritize patients in urgent situations, making them integral to triage during mass casualty incidents. Their training equips them to rapidly evaluate the severity of injuries and determine the necessary level of care for each patient. This capacity to make quick, informed decisions is critical in chaotic environments where resources may be limited, and immediate intervention may save lives.

While unlicensed assistive personnel may assist in various capacities during incidents, their scope of practice does not typically include triage responsibilities, which require clinical judgment and assessment skills. Nurses appointed to a field team certainly have experience in triaging, but the question pertains specifically to first responders at the scene. Similarly, physicians who may survive an incident can provide assistance but typically do not fulfill the frontline triage role as first responders would. Thus, paramedics stand out as the primary first responders specifically trained for triage, highlighting their crucial role in optimizing emergency care in mass casualty situations.