LEVERAGING BYSTANDER EMERGENCE IN MASS CASUALTY INCIDENTS

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Authors
Hodgson, Luke J.
Subjects
mass casualty incident
bystander
civilian
emergency
immediate responder
public
first responder
MCI
mass casualty
mass violence
intentional
antagonistic
violent
good samaritan
disaster sociology
disaster psychology
bystander effect
disaster shock
disaster syndrome
cynefin
incident command
incident commander
ICS
NIMS
emergence
community
victim
victims
emergency medical services
EMS
command
incident management
incident command system
Advisors
Woodbury, Glen L.
Fernandez, Lauren S.
Date of Issue
2020-09
Date
Sep-20
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
Following many recent intentional mass casualty incidents (MCIs), bystanders have come to the rescue, helping those around them. These active bystanders, known as immediate responders, have saved lives by providing immediate care for life-threatening injuries, evacuating victims, and transporting the injured to hospitals. However, immediate responders also tend to overwhelm the closest hospital and inaccurately prioritize victims for treatment. Emergency responders must manage this emergent response to leverage the benefits of the extra help but to avoid unintended consequences. A literature review and analysis of recent MCIs reveals that existing planning assumptions do not account for bystander help; this thesis recommends a new paradigm for MCI management that takes into account the complexity of MCIs, including immediate responder emergence, and includes suggestions for training incident commanders to operate in these novel and complex environments. The thesis also provides recommendations for encouraging bystanders to become immediate responders by creating a helping culture, which can include providing community training and bolstering laws to protect Good Samaritans.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
National Security Affairs (CHDS)
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
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Distribution Statement
Approved for public release. distribution is unlimited
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Copyright is reserved by the copyright owner.
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