Dubai EMS Protocols & Mass Casualty Management Flashcards

The METHANE major incident declaration report stands for:

Answer: Major incident (declared?), Exact location, Type of incident, Hazards, Access/egress, Number of casualties, Emergency services present

METHANE is the international standard major incident information format: Major incident declared, Exact location, Type of incident, Hazards, Access routes, Number and severity of casualties, Emergency services on scene — enabling effective resource dispatch.

In Dubai's ICS (Incident Command System) for major incidents, the 'Operations Section Chief' is responsible for:

Answer: Directing all tactical operations at the scene, including rescue, medical, and hazmat sectors

The Operations Section Chief manages all tactical activities — directly supervising section supervisors (rescue, medical, hazmat) and ensuring the incident action plan is executed at the operational level.

The capacity surge response for Dubai hospitals during a major incident involves:

Answer: Activating hospital major incident plans (MAJAX), discharging non-critical patients, cancelling elective procedures, and calling in additional staff

Hospital MAJAX plans systematically increase capacity through multiple measures: early discharge of stable patients, cancellation of elective lists freeing theatres and staff, activation of off-duty personnel, and creation of additional treatment spaces.

The 'Body Holding Area' in MCI management is located in the:

Answer: Cold zone, away from treatment areas and transport, managed by relevant authorities

The body holding area is established in the cold zone to receive deceased and expectant casualties, managed respectfully and separately from living patients, coordinated with police, medical examiner, and mortuary services.

Dubai's 'One Referral System' for major incident patient distribution aims to:

Answer: Distribute MCI casualties equitably across Dubai's hospitals to prevent any single facility being overwhelmed

The One Referral System coordinates distribution of MCI casualties across Dubai's hospital network based on capacity and capability, preventing overload at any single facility while matching patient needs with hospital resources.

Decontamination of casualties in a mass chemical incident uses:

Answer: Copious water irrigation (wet decontamination) as the primary method — removing the agent from the skin

Wet decontamination using copious water (and mild detergent for oily agents) is the most effective method for most chemical agents; removing clothing (dry decon) removes 80% of contamination and precedes wet decontamination.