The initial MCI level will be based on the estimated numbers prior to what?

• A. Triage
• B. Transportation
• C. Notification
• D. Reinforcements

Answer: (A)

In a mass casualty incident, the first action is to estimate how many patients are likely involved. That initial estimate sets the MCI level and drives early decisions about how many responders, what equipment, and how to structure the response. This estimate is based on information available at the moment of the incident report—scene conditions, reports from witnesses or responders, and the nature of the event—before you begin triage. Triage will later sort patients by priority and influence transport decisions, but using triage results to set the initial level could delay the mobilization of needed resources. So the initial MCI level is grounded in numbers projected before triage, with adjustments possible as more information becomes available.