What is the role of a paramedic during a mass casualty incident?

The role of a paramedic during a mass casualty incident is primarily to triage and treat multiple patients effectively. In such critical situations, the focus is on quickly assessing the severity of injuries among numerous individuals to prioritize care based on the urgency of their medical needs. This process ensures that those who are most critically injured receive immediate attention while less injured patients are managed appropriately.

Paramedics are trained to use triage systems, such as the START (Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment) method, allowing them to categorize patients based on their condition swiftly. This role is crucial because it helps manage limited resources and personnel effectively while ensuring that the greatest number of victims receive the necessary care.

While other responsibilities such as transporting patients and performing interventions may be part of a paramedic's duties in a standard setting, during a mass casualty incident, the immediate need is to manage multiple patients at once to mitigate the crisis effectively.