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Preparing for a Mass Casualty Event: Information for the Public (see also Information for Clinicians)


What can I do now?
CDC and the American Red Cross encourage every organization, family and individual to take time to prepare for an emergency or disaster. These steps can help you get started: 


What should I do in a mass casualty event?

At Home At Work At School In Public
Leave the area immediately. Follow existing evacuation guidelines. Follow existing evacuation guidelines. Leave the area immediately.
Call 9-1-1. Tell the operator what you saw or know (suspicious persons, packages, or vehicles). blue arrows pointing down

 blue arrows pointing down Call 9-1-1. Tell the operator what you saw or know (suspicious persons, packages, or vehicles).
Follow directions from people in authority (police, fire, EMS, or military personnel, or from neighborhood leaders). Follow directions from people in authority (police, fire, EMS, or military personnel, or from workplace supervisors). Follow directions from people in authority (police, fire, EMS, or military personnel, or from school administrators). Follow directions from people in authority (police, fire, EMS, or military personnel, or from community leaders).


What should I do during a mass casualty event?
If you are in a mass casualty event:

What should I do after the event?
 When the event is over:

    • Follow your family, job, or school emergency disaster plan for leaving and staying away from the scene of the event. Returning to the scene might increase the risk of danger for rescue workers and you.
    • Follow directions from people in authority (police, fire, EMS, or military personnel, or from school or workplace supervisors).
    • Call 9-1-1 once you are in a safe area, but only if police, fire, or EMS has not arrived to help injured people.
    • Help others who are hurt or need assistance to leave the area if you are able.
    • Seek help if you see someone who is seriously injured. Do not try to manage the situation alone.


What if rescue workers are not available to transport me or other injured persons?
 9-1-1 services (police, fire, EMS and ambulance) might be delayed indefinitely following a terrorist event, therefore:

    • Always have a back-up plan for transportation.
    • Follow advice from your local public safety offices (local health department, local emergency management offices, fire and police departments and reliable news sources).
    • Help others who are hurt or need assistance to leave the area, if you are able. If you see someone who is seriously injured, seek help. Do not try to manage the situation alone.


Where should I go for care?
 Go to a hospital or clinic away from the event if you can. Most victims will go to the nearest hospital, which will be more crowded. Hospitals away from the event will be less busy.

What can I expect at the hospital?

    • Long waits. To avoid long waits, choose a hospital farther away from the event. While this might increase your travel time, you might receive care sooner.
    • Triage. Following a mass casualty event, injuries are generally treated on a “worst first” basis, called “triage.” Triage is not “first come, first served”. If your injuries are not immediately life threatening, others might be treated before you. The goal of triage is to save as many lives as possible.
    • Limited information. In a large-scale emergency, police, fire, EMS, and even hospitals and clinics cannot track every individual by name. Keep in mind that it may be difficult for hospitals to provide information about loved ones following a mass casualty event. Be patient as you seek information.

For more information about how to prepare for a mass casualty event and other disasters, click on the related links: