EMS Operations and Safety Flashcards

During a mass casualty incident, which triage tag color indicates a patient who is deceased or has injuries incompatible with survival?

Answer: Black

Black tags are assigned to patients who are deceased or have injuries so severe that survival is not expected even with medical intervention.

When approaching the scene of a motor vehicle collision at night, what is the most critical immediate action for EMT safety?

Answer: Position the ambulance at least 50 feet past the scene with warning lights activated

Parking at least 50 feet past the scene (or 100 feet on highways) with warning lights on helps protect responders from oncoming traffic.

A patient involved in a chemical spill is ambulatory and conscious. What is the FIRST step in managing this patient?

Answer: Decontaminate the patient before providing advanced care

Decontamination must occur before the patient enters the ambulance to prevent secondary contamination of crew and equipment.

Which ICS position is responsible for the overall management of an incident and all incident objectives?

Answer: Incident Commander

The Incident Commander holds overall responsibility for managing the incident and setting all strategic objectives.

An EMT is lifting a stretcher and feels a sudden sharp pain in the lower back. What should the EMT do FIRST?

Answer: Stop the lift and signal to the partner to set the stretcher down safely

Stopping the lift immediately and safely lowering the stretcher prevents further injury to the EMT.

In the ICS structure, what is the recommended span of control for a supervisor?

Answer: 3 to 7 subordinates

The optimal ICS span of control is 3 to 7 subordinates per supervisor, with 5 being ideal, to maintain effective command.

When responding to a scene with a potential active shooter, EMS providers should:

Answer: Stage in a warm zone and wait for law enforcement to secure the scene

EMS should stage in the warm zone and only enter once law enforcement has rendered the area safe.