EMS response to mass casualties.

Of the three phases of disaster response, the primary phase (immediate postincident to six hours thereafter) represents the core of the EMS-augmented response to save lives. Activities during this phase include triage, victim control and stabilization, communications, and transportation. To cope successfully with the mass casualties of an actual disaster, special emergency forces must be trained (and rehearsed) to act together as a team to treat the critically ill and injured.