Trauma at the Tunnel

Los Angeles Metrolink train crash presents crews with unprecedented triage, treatment and transport challenges

On Sept. 12, 2008, at 4:23 pm, a commuter train headed north from downtown L.A. collided head on with a southbound freight train, instantly killing 25 and injuring 107. It would become the worst railroad accident in California’s history. 

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The Role of Staging at MCIs

This webcast focuses on the staging of vehicles, equipment and people, a critical but often neglected area of mass casualty incidents (MCI). Although caregivers do an exceptional job of treating and triaging victims, the essential function of rapid transportation often gets delayed because of inefficient or ineffective staging and deployment of resources. Heightman offers important tips to make these functions easy, inexpensive and effective.

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MCI Preparedness

Featured Articles

Trauma at the Tunnel

On Sept. 12, 2008, at 4:23 pm, a commuter train headed north from downtown L.A. collided head on with a southbound freight train, instantly killing 25 and injuring 107. It would become the worst railroad accident in California’s history.

Need for Speed

When Mattel brought 10,000 people to the small town of Speed, Kan. -- population 47 -- for a Hot Wheels event, Phillips County EMS was ready.

From the Editor: MCI Efficiency

You can get by at an MCI using the basic principles of MCI management, but if you want to refine your processes and run a highly efficient MCI, there are a few additional aspects to consider in your planning.

Managing Everyday Disasters

Incidents that are not large enough to be declared MCIs can overwhelm the first units on scene. The keys to success in these situations, just as in large disasters, are good organization and communications.

Medical Triage for WMD Incidents

The START (simple triage and rapid transport). method of sorting medical casualties has been taught to emergency responders in the U.S. for more than 20 years. It's a simple, basic method of identifying life-threatening injuries and determining the order in which multiple patients will receive treatment. This method has been the key to the survival of countless trauma victims, particularly in cases of rapid triage at large mass casualty incidents (MCIs).

Ready for U.S. Open

The City of San Diego's EMS and fire resources are ready for peak performance during the U.S. Open this week.

West Nickel Mines School Shooting

Read how EMS units handled an MCI with multiple critically wounded children in a peaceful Amish community.

Lessons Learned From 9/11

More than a thousand first responders, including nearly 200 members of the New York...

Pending Diagnostic Device

In the future, measurement trends and pertinent data could be stored in a handheld NcIQ Data Management System device, giving you data for as many as 20 patients simultaneously.

Disaster Management

Spotlight on Carbon Monoxide

Successful Water MCI Management

N.J. EMS Was Prepared

Lessons Learned from Water Aircraft Crashes

N.J. EMS Was Prepared

Airplane Crash Showcases Emergency Readiness

NY Landing Heroics

NY Landing Heroics

Miracle On the Hudson

JEMS Poll

How has your organization pre-planned for interoperability during a large-scale MCI?

MCI Featured Supplement

Medical Force Multiplier

This JEMS supplement will introduce you to the innovative Charlie's Horse® Deployment System and the MERF™ (Medical Emergency Response Facility), which uses a minimal workforce to deliver crucial resources to areas where they're critically needed and deploys those resources rapidly in any location. This supplement is sponsored byCharlie’s Horse.

MCI Product Reviews

Lifesaving Respi-Check Oxygen Mask

Fran Hildwine, BS, NREMT-P, CCEMT-P

The Respi-Check Oxygen Mask from Lifesaving Systems Inc. has a small, clear tube that contains a red ball attached to a traditional non-rebreather mask.
North American Rescue Products Combat Application Tourniquet

Fran Hildwine, BS, NREMT-P, CCEMT-P

As the use of tourniquets increases in the battle zone, rest assured they'll be back in use in civilian medicine in due time.
Informed Home Emergency Pocket Guide

Fran Hildwine, BS, NREMT-P, CCEMT-P

The new Informed Home Emergency Pocket Guide by Informed Publishing is a valuable resource that gives you easy-to-use checklists for lots of disaster situations.
Get Patients Sorted & Protected

Fran Hildwine, BS, NREMT-P, CCEMT-P

MCIs during cold and other inclement weather add another critical concern for the medical sector commander. Although triaging, treating and transporting duties will keep you busy enough, you don’t want bad weather conditions to add would-be survivors to the casualty count.
‘Brilliant’ Clipboard

Fran Hildwine, BS, NREMT-P

Whether you’re keeping notes at a nighttime MCI or just obtaining the signature on a 3 a.m. refusal form, lighting your clipboard can be an irritating challenge.