Active Shooter Medical Emergencies Flashcards

An active shooter event has been neutralized by law enforcement. The FLSD is directed to help establish a Casualty Collection Point (CCP) within the building. What is the PRIMARY characteristic of a suitable location for a CCP?

Answer: It must be a large, easily secured area that has been declared safe by law enforcement.

The most critical factors for a Casualty Collection Point (CCP) are safety and space. It must be an area that law enforcement has swept and declared free of threats ('cleared' or 'cold zone'), large enough to accommodate multiple victims and medical personnel, and able to be secured.

What is the main principle of the "Stop the Bleed" initiative, which is a key component of medical emergency preparedness for active shooter events?

Answer: To empower bystanders to control life-threatening hemorrhage before professional help arrives.

The "Stop the Bleed" campaign was created to train and empower civilian bystanders to provide vital initial aid to stop uncontrolled bleeding in an emergency. Uncontrolled bleeding is a leading cause of preventable death after a traumatic injury, and immediate intervention by a bystander can save a life in the minutes before EMS can arrive.

During an active shooter event, law enforcement is the lead agency. What is the FLSD's most important role regarding medical emergencies while the situation is ongoing?

Answer: To act as a central communication hub, relaying information from occupants about injuries to the 911 operator and incident command.

The FLSD's position at the Fire Command Center makes them the critical nexus for information. Their primary role is to coordinate communication, relaying details about the incident, including the location and number of potential victims, to first responders. This information is vital for the police and for staging the subsequent EMS response.

According to Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) guidelines for civilians, if you are sheltering in place with an injured person during an active shooter event, what is the first and most critical step before providing aid?

Answer: Ensure your own safety and confirm there is no immediate threat.

The absolute first priority in any high-threat situation is scene safety. Before attempting to render aid, a rescuer must ensure their own safety to avoid becoming another casualty. In TECC, this is part of Direct Threat Care, where mitigating the threat and ensuring personal safety precedes all other medical actions except for self-aid.

Which of the following is the most critical piece of information for an FLSD to relay to responding EMS personnel once law enforcement has secured the scene?

Answer: Known locations and approximate number of injured individuals.

For EMS to conduct an effective and rapid response, the most crucial information is where the victims are and how many there are. This allows the EMS incident commander to allocate resources, plan entry routes with law enforcement, and begin the process of triage and treatment efficiently.

Police are clearing the building after an active shooter incident. An employee calls from a secured office, stating a colleague has severe, life-threatening bleeding from an arm wound. What is the BEST instruction the FLSD can provide?

Answer: Instruct them to apply firm, direct pressure to the wound and wait for law enforcement to clear their area.

While remaining in a secure location is paramount, controlling hemorrhage is the most critical immediate medical intervention. Instructing the caller to apply direct pressure is a key principle of bleeding control that can be done while safely sheltered in place. Moving the victim would be dangerous until law enforcement has declared the area safe.