Definition & Operational Usage of Triage
What Is Triage?
Triage is the rapid process of prioritizing patient treatment and transport during incidents where casualty numbers exceed immediate medical resources, utilizing standardized field protocols (START, JumpSTART, SALT) to categorize victims into Immediate, Delayed, Minor, or Expectant status.
Why Triage Matters on the Fireground
Without structured triage, initial responders spend time treating vocal minor injuries while quiet, critically bleeding patients die unrecognized. Triage ensures maximum survivability at mass casualty scenes.
Relevant NFPA Standards
- NREMT Standards: National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians Practice Standards
- NFPA 455: Standard for Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Field Procedures & Tactical Steps
- Announce arrival of Mass Casualty Incident and establish Triage Officer role.
- Call out for uninjured or minor casualty walking wounded to move to Green collection point.
- Evaluate remaining non-ambulatory victims using RPM (Respirations, Perfusion, Mental status).
- Apply color-coded triage tags or ribbon bands to patient limbs.
- Report category tallies (Red, Yellow, Green, Black) to Medical Command.
Common Context & Application
Initiated immediately upon arriving at multi-patient scenes, active shooter events, transit crashes, and natural disasters.
Frequently Asked Questions about Triage
What does RPM stand for in START triage?
What color tag is assigned to deceased or non-salvageable victims?
Other Names for Triage
Triage may also appear in training materials, NFPA standards, or department SOPs as: prioritization, patient sorting, emergency categorization.
Relevant Tools
Operational calculators related to Triage: