What is the primary role of the first officer on the scene of an MCI?

The primary role of the first officer on the scene of a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) is to establish command of the scene. This is crucial because an MCI involves multiple victims and can quickly become chaotic without proper leadership and organization. By establishing command, the first officer can coordinate the response of various emergency services, including medical personnel, other law enforcement, and fire services.

This role also involves assessing the scene, determining the number of casualties, and setting priorities for patient care and resource allocation. Establishing command helps to streamline communication and ensure that all responders are operating under a unified incident command system, which is essential for an efficient and effective response to a large-scale emergency situation.

While providing immediate medical treatment and conducting investigations are important, they usually fall under the responsibilities of other trained personnel who arrive after the initial command has been established. The evacuation of patients is also a critical aspect of managing an MCI, but it must occur within the context of a coordinated response that begins with command establishment.