When the unthinkable occurs, it is crucial to have plans in place to minimize the effects of both mass casualty and mass fatality events. While these events may take place simultaneously, there are different considerations when addressing both situations. In short, the priority for mass casualty events includes tending to the wounded survivors, whereas the priority for mass fatality events focuses on respectfully handling decedents. However, the differences do not stop there in emergency preparedness. It’s imperative that those planning and handling standard operating procedures for emergency response know the difference in services needed.
In a mass casualty event, the first priority is to tend to the injured. The focus is on finding all survivors and aiding them in addressing their wounds or any health services needed. Mass casualty incidents need to have emergency medical services readily available to tend to victims. First responders will want to locate any surviving victims and guide them to the EMS workers. Triage must be performed to determine the severity of injuries that the casualties have suffered. And treatment plans can be started after initial response and triage is complete. After survivors are located, then you can transition to mass fatality management, if it applies.
A mass fatality event occurs when the number of fatalities overwhelms all local resources that are needed to find, identify, and process final disposition of all victims. In a mass fatality incident, it is important to identify the exact number of fatalities and determine what other resources are needed.
Analysis
This article discusses the differences between mass casualty and mass fatality incidents. I thought it was interesting that there is no one set definition. How does the response in transporting bodies differ between fatalities and casualties? Evidently people who are injured need to be transported to receive further care. First responders would need to transport fatalities to a different location because they no longer need care or attention. Additionally, how does respect for the dead play a role in the disposal of bodies in mass fatalities?
Since a mass casualty overwhelms resources, resources always have to be brought into the mass casualty incidents. It is essential that the resources reach the incident area safely so that first responders can treat and transport casualties. Do they prepare first for a mass casualty event? If there are greater fatalities than casualties, how do the resources change? Equipment needs to be portable and manageable in order to help the greatest amount of people. Additionally, if you don’t know the severity of the mass casualty, how do you allocate resources?
Source
Corinthian Dieter, “Disaster Response: Mass Casualty vs. Mass Fatality Incidents,” Penncare, August 21,2021 https://www.penncare.net/2021/08/disaster-response-mass-casualty-vs-mass-fatality-incidents/
