Which incidents are included under Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) response protocols?

Mass Casualty Incidents (MCIs) refer to situations where the number of casualties exceeds the immediate resources available to manage them effectively, thus requiring a coordinated response from multiple agencies. These incidents typically involve large-scale emergencies that result in significant numbers of people being injured or needing medical assistance simultaneously.

Natural disasters and terrorist attacks are prime examples of situations that trigger MCI response protocols. These events can lead to numerous patients suffering from injuries that range from minor to critical, overwhelming local emergency services. In these circumstances, the EMS system must employ systematic procedures, such as triage, to prioritize patients based on the severity of their conditions. Such protocols are crucial for ensuring that limited medical resources are allocated efficiently to save as many lives as possible.

In contrast, single-vehicle accidents, medical emergency calls, and routine hospital admissions typically do not result in a surge of casualties that would require an MCI response. These incidents generally fall within the capability of standard emergency services and do not necessitate the large-scale coordination required for MCIs.