Chapter 3:

The ABCs of Medical Response to Disasters

1. Search and Rescue

The local population near any disaster site is the immediate search-and-rescue resource. Many countries have developed specialized search-and-rescue teams as an integral part of their national disaster plans. Members of these teams receive specialized training in "confined space environments.”

Search-and-rescue units generally include:

Field Tip

During the World Trade Center attack (2001), local construction companies were valuable search and rescue assets, providing equipment, tools, and even wooden planks that were used as stretchers.

2. Triage

Triage is arguably the most important mission of any medical response, whether in a disaster of limited scope or one of wide scale. The objective of triage in disaster is to do the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

On-Site Triage (Level 1)

Rapid categorization of victims with potentially severe injuries needing immediate medical care “where they are lying” or at a triage site Personnel are typically first responders from the local population or local emergency medical personnel Patients characterized as “acute” or “non-acute” Simplified color coding may be done if resources permit: acute = red, non-acute = green

Medical Triage (Level 2)

Rapid categorization of victims at a casualty site by the most experienced medical personnel available to identify the level of medical care needed “The greatest good for the greatest number of people” Knowledge of the medical consequences of various injuries (e. g., burn, blast, or crush injuries or exposure to chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons) is critical Color coding may be used:

Definitive Medical Care