Collaboration Among Paramedics, Health Assistants, and Pharmacy Technicians During Mass Casualty Incidents

Abstract

Coordinated collaboration among paramedics, health assistants, and pharmacy technicians is essential for providing efficient, life-saving care during a mass casualty incident (MCI). Under this framework, each provider plays a distinct role in emergency response: paramedics assess patient needs and offer rapid, initial care; health assistants prepare equipment, document information, and ensure support functions meet frontline requirements; and pharmacy technicians anticipate demand, manage medication distribution, and prevent inventory bottlenecks. By clearly distinguishing responsibilities that complement one another, the combined team can deliver timely, effective assistance during an MCI.

Mass casualty incidents disrupt everyday social patterns and overwhelm communities’ medical resources (Aruru et al., 2020). Well-managed cooperation among healthcare providers—across professions, organizations, and geographical settings—is therefore critical in minimising fatality rates and restoring order (Al-Salloum et al., 2020). The role of paramedics encompasses direct patient assessment and care, enabling rapid prioritisation and treatment; health assistants arrange equipment, monitor supplies, and manage communication channels, reducing potential logistical delays; and pharmacy technicians oversee the allocation and replenishment of vital medications, contributing to seamless resource availability. Through attentive, collective action in their respective domains, the three professions uphold an effective emergency-response infrastructure during MCI scenarios.