MCI 101: Triage in BarbieLand

Mass casualty incidents are low-frequency, high-acuity events that challenge responders and systems alike. Though uncommon, the potential exists in every village, town, and city in America. Effective triage is the foundation of a successful response, beginning with every provider on scene. This presentation reviews initial triage algorithms, continuous secondary triage, treatment and transport priorities, and the structure and function of the Incident Command System. To reinforce these concepts, this pre-conference session includes a hands-on (1/6 scale) tabletop scenario using Barbie dolls as simulated patients. Each doll is carefully moulaged to represent realistic injuries and triage challenges. Participants will apply triage tags, assign priorities, and discuss decision-making in real time—bridging classroom concepts with practical application in a fun, visual, and memorable way.