EMT Basic · Chapter 40 · Review · Chapter track
Incident Management
Referencing the content of EMT-Basic training and emergency patient care
Learning objectives (21)
Contrast a disaster with a mass-casualty incident — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1485); confirm wording in your course copy.
- FEMA NIMS · FEMA
- NHTSA mass casualty · NHTSA
Define hazardous material; include the classification system used by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1485); confirm wording in your course copy.
- FEMA NIMS · FEMA
- NHTSA mass casualty · NHTSA
Demonstrate how to perform triage based on a fictional scenario that involves a mass-casualty incident — Knowledge/skills objective (print textbook, Chapter 40); confirm wording in your course copy.
- FEMA NIMS · FEMA
- NHTSA mass casualty · NHTSA
Demonstrate the ability to use a variety of reference materials to identify a hazardous material — Knowledge/skills objective (print textbook, Chapter 40); confirm wording in your course copy.
- FEMA NIMS · FEMA
- NHTSA mass casualty · NHTSA
Describe how the ICS assists EMS in ensuring both personal safety and the safety of bystanders, health care professionals, and patients during an emergency — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1485); confirm wording in your course copy.
- FEMA NIMS · FEMA
- NHTSA mass casualty · NHTSA
Describe how the three control zones are established at a hazmat incident, the characteristics of each zone, and the responders who work within each one — Knowledge/skills objective (print textbook, Chapter 40); confirm wording in your course copy.
- FEMA NIMS · FEMA
- NHTSA mass casualty · NHTSA
Describe the four levels of personal protective equipment (PPE) required at a hazmat incident to protect responders from injury by or contamination from a particular substance — Knowledge/skills objective (print textbook, Chapter 40); confirm wording in your course copy.
- FEMA NIMS · FEMA
- NHTSA mass casualty · NHTSA
Describe the purpose of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and its major components — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1485); confirm wording in your course copy.
- FEMA NIMS · FEMA
- NHTSA mass casualty · NHTSA
Describe the purpose of the incident command system (ICS) and its organizational structure — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1485); confirm wording in your course copy.
- FEMA NIMS · FEMA
- NHTSA mass casualty · NHTSA
Describe the purpose of the medical branch of the ICS and its organizational structure — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1485); confirm wording in your course copy.
- FEMA NIMS · FEMA
- NHTSA mass casualty · NHTSA
Describe the role of EMTs during a disaster operation — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1485); confirm wording in your course copy.
- FEMA NIMS · FEMA
- NHTSA mass casualty · NHTSA
Describe the role of the EMT in establishing command under the ICS — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1485); confirm wording in your course copy.
- FEMA NIMS · FEMA
- NHTSA mass casualty · NHTSA
Describe the specific conditions that would define a situation as a mass-casualty incident (MCI); include examples — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1485); confirm wording in your course copy.
- FEMA NIMS · FEMA
- NHTSA mass casualty · NHTSA
Describe what occurs during primary and secondary triage, how the four triage categories are assigned to patients on the scene, and how destination decisions regarding triaged pati — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1485); confirm wording in your course copy.
- FEMA NIMS · FEMA
- NHTSA mass casualty · NHTSA
Discuss the specific reference materials that EMTs use to recognize a hazmat incident — Knowledge/skills objective (print textbook, Chapter 40); confirm wording in your course copy.
- FEMA NIMS · FEMA
- NHTSA mass casualty · NHTSA
Explain how to perform the START and JumpSTART triage methods — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1485); confirm wording in your course copy.
- FEMA NIMS · FEMA
- NHTSA mass casualty · NHTSA
Explain patient care at a hazmat incident; include the special requirements that are necessary for those patients who require immediate treatment and transport prior to full decont — Knowledge/skills objective (print textbook, Chapter 40); confirm wording in your course copy.
- FEMA NIMS · FEMA
- NHTSA mass casualty · NHTSA
Explain the role of EMS response within the ICS — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1485); confirm wording in your course copy.
- FEMA NIMS · FEMA
- NHTSA mass casualty · NHTSA
Explain the role of EMTs during a hazmat incident both before and after the hazmat team arrives; include the precautions required to ensure the safety of civilians and responders — Knowledge/skills objective (print textbook, Chapter 40); confirm wording in your course copy.
- FEMA NIMS · FEMA
- NHTSA mass casualty · NHTSA
Recognize the entry-level training or experience requirements identified by the HAZWOPER regulation for EMTs to respond to a hazmat incident — Knowledge/skills objective (printed page 1485); confirm wording in your course copy.
- FEMA NIMS · FEMA
- NHTSA mass casualty · NHTSA
Using a reference, correctly identify Department of Transportation (DOT) labels, placards, and markings that are used to designate hazardous materials — Knowledge/skills objective (print textbook, Chapter 40); confirm wording in your course copy.
- FEMA NIMS · FEMA
- NHTSA mass casualty · NHTSA
Chapter web resources
Optional reading from authoritative sites. Your textbook remains the primary source for this course.
- FEMA NIMS · FEMA
Incident management for EMS leaders
- NHTSA mass casualty · NHTSA
Multi-casualty incident context
When sources disagree (5 topics to verify before you teach from this chapter alone)
Showing Chapter track material. Switch tracks on the chapter page.
Vocabulary · 15
National Incident Management System (NIMS)
A nationwide framework for managing incidents of any size or complexity through standardized roles and processes.
SourceFEMA — National Incident Management System (NIMS)
Incident Command System (ICS)
A standardized on-scene management structure under NIMS that defines roles, communication, and resource flow.
SourceFEMA — Incident Command System (ICS)
Incident Commander (IC)
The individual responsible for overall management of an incident; has ultimate authority on scene.
SourceFEMA — ICS — Incident Commander
Span of control
The number of resources or personnel one supervisor can effectively manage — typically 3 to 7 in incident operations.
SourceFEMA — Span of control
Unified Command
A command structure that allows agencies with different legal, geographic, or functional responsibilities to coordinate effectively without giving up authority.
SourceFEMA — Unified Command
Mass Casualty Incident (MCI)
Any incident in which the number of patients overwhelms immediately available resources, requiring triage and additional support.
SourceNAEMT — MCI definitions
Triage
Sorting patients by severity and likelihood of benefit to allocate care when resources are limited.
SourceAmerican College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma — Triage
START triage
Simple Triage And Rapid Treatment — an adult triage algorithm based on respiration, perfusion, and mental status.
SourceCalifornia EMS Authority — START triage algorithm
JumpSTART triage
A pediatric adaptation of START triage that accounts for unique pediatric physiology, including a respiratory check before tagging as deceased.
SourceJumpSTART Pediatric Triage — JumpSTART pediatric MCI triage tool
Triage categories
Color-coded priorities — Red (immediate), Yellow (delayed), Green (minor), Black (deceased/expectant).
SourceFEMA / NIMS doctrine — MCI triage tags
Treatment sector
The area within an MCI where triaged patients receive prioritized care while awaiting transport.
SourceFEMA — Incident treatment branch
Transportation sector
The ICS function responsible for assigning patients to appropriate vehicles and destinations during an MCI.
SourceFEMA — Transportation group supervisor
Public Information Officer (PIO)
The Command Staff role responsible for public and media communication during an incident.
SourceFEMA — ICS — Public Information Officer
After Action Report (AAR)
A structured post-incident review that captures what happened, what worked, what didn't, and lessons learned.
SourceFEMA — After Action Reports
Danger
Poison: Highly toxic by all routes
SourcePrinted pages 1485–1526. Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, 12th ed., Jones & Bartlett Learning / American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
Sequences · 2
- START triage decision flow — Order the START triage decision checks for adult MCI patients.
- ICS top-level structure — Order the ICS top-level positions under Command.