Who classifies casualties by precedence on site?

Who classifies casualties by precedence on site?

• A. The Unit Commander
• B. The Evacuation Dispatcher
• C. The Combat Medic On Site
• D. The Transportation Officer

Answer: (C)

On-site casualty precedence is determined by the combat medic on site. In mass casualty situations, the medic conducts rapid triage, assessing each casualty to assign an evacuation priority (immediate, delayed, minor) so the most critically injured receive attention first. This on-scene classification is essential because it guides who gets moved first and who can wait, maximizing lives saved under limited resources. The unit commander provides overall direction and may authorize moves, but the actual triage decision is made by the medic who is closest to the casualties. The evacuation dispatcher handles organizing the flow of patients after triage, and the transportation officer focuses on coordinating the transport assets themselves.

On-site casualty precedence is determined by the combat medic on site. In mass casualty situations, the medic conducts rapid triage, assessing each casualty to assign an evacuation priority (immediate, delayed, minor) so the most critically injured receive attention first. This on-scene classification is essential because it guides who gets moved first and who can wait, maximizing lives saved under limited resources. The unit commander provides overall direction and may authorize moves, but the actual triage decision is made by the medic who is closest to the casualties. The evacuation dispatcher handles organizing the flow of patients after triage, and the transportation officer focuses on coordinating the transport assets themselves.