What is typically the role of the Incident Commander in a mass medical emergency?

The Incident Commander plays a crucial role in overseeing the entire incident response during a mass medical emergency. Their primary responsibilities include managing the incident scene, allocating resources effectively, and ensuring that all responders work cohesively to address the situation at hand. One of the key tasks of the Incident Commander is to make strategic decisions about patient transport, including which hospitals to send patients to based on the severity of their injuries and the capacity of receiving medical facilities.

This involves assessing the available resources, such as the number of ambulances, hospital readiness, and the specific needs of the patients. By directing where patients go, the Incident Commander helps prevent overcrowding at certain facilities and ensures that patients receive the appropriate level of care in a timely manner. In this context, the role is pivotal in coordinating an effective response and optimizing patient outcomes during mass casualty incidents.