1. Module 5: Medical Group Supervisor Medical Supply Coordinator
Module 5 Covers the Medical Group Supervisor and the Medical Supply Coordinator.
Module 5:
Medical Group Supervisor
Medical Supply Coordinator

2. Filled by 1st arriving EMS Supervisor
The Medical Group Supervisor position is filled by the first arriving EMS Supervisor on an incident. Depending on the location of the incident, this individual may be from a neighboring jurisdiction, or already onscene.

3. Functions as command component of Medical Group within EMS Branch on significant incident
Once established, the Medical Group Supervisor functions as the command component of a specific medical group. Reporting the the EMS Branch Director and coordinating the Triage, Treatment and Medical Supply positions below them, ensuring adequate personnel and equipment are available to meet the needs of the incident. It is important to remember that in a large incident, there may be multiple Medical Groups operating on scene.

4. Objectives Participate in EMS Branch/ Ops Planning
Establish and manage Medical Group
Ensure Treatment and Triage positions filled
Isolate Morgue and Minor Treatment Areas away from incident
Determine medical resources
Many of the Objectives of the Medical Group Supervisor are filled by other positions within the organizational chart. This person is however responsible for insuring that the tasks of each unit leader are completed as necessary. The MGS must participate in incident planning activities and ensure the positions filled within the Medical Group are able to support that plan. Much of the work of the MGS will be alleviated once the treatment areas are established. If the MGS notices that there are personnel or equipment shortages within any position under them, they are responsible for initially securing those resources.

5. Objectives Communicate with Transportation Group Supervisor
Activate Regional Hospital Coordinating Center - RHCC
Direct and organize outside assistance to Medical Group
Ensure security and access/ egress to Medical Group
Distribute personnel as necessary
Coordinating with the Transportation Group Supervisor and ensuring rapid activation of the Regional Hospital Coordinating Center (RHCC/MedComm) will speed the process of the incident and prevent backlogs in patient movement. The Medical Group Supervisor is responsible for the safety of the Medical Group personnel and patients and should utilize interagency assistance as necessary. This could be difficult when it comes to separating the treatment areas. As patients see other patients being treated faster, they will likely question what they have to do to get seen. As a result patients may attempt to relocate themselves to a position where they think they will get faster treatment. It may be necessary to solicit help from law enforcement during this process as it will allow FRD resources to stay focused on patient care.

6. Establish position and don appropriate vest
Establish communication and receive situation reports from Triage and Treatment Unit Leaders
Establish position and don appropriate vest
Obtain and utilize Command Board #3
Ensure all positions are filled as dictated by incident
Communicate progress to EMS Branch Director
The necessary Procedures for the Medical Group Supervisor fall into their personnel responsibilities. The person taking this position is to ensure that they have established clear communication with the Triage and Treatment Units and are responsible for the flow of information to the EMS Branch Director. With the flow of information from the Medical Group passing through one individual, it is possible to reduce the amount of information that is given over the air, freeing up radio time, as well as allowing for the consolidation of information. By donning the appropriate vest and utilizing command board number 3, the MGS will be able to manage their personnel in an orderly fashion

7. Summary Coordinate all activities within Medical Group
Communicate progress through chain-of-command
Ensure all tasks are completed adequately and safely
This position will oversee many medical operations on an incident. The Medical Group is designed to be able to function as an individual unit throughout the triage and treatment process. Once these tasks are completed, outside coordination and communication will be necessary. The MGS is responsible for all the medical care and needs taking place within the Group and needs to make sure resources are utilized appropriately throughout.

9. Assigned to Medical Group Reports to Medical Group Supervisor
Ensures adequate medical equipment available for all components of Medical Group
Unit OIC responsible for delivering MCSU
The Medical Supply Coordinator usually will be the Unit Officer assigned to the first arriving Medical Care Support Unit. This individual upon arriving at the scene will don the appropriate vest and communicate with the Medical Group Supervisor to determine the initial equipment needs of the incident.

10. Acquire, distribute and maintain status of medical equipment and supplies in Medical Group
Upon arrival initially distribute supplies to Treatment and Triage Units
Maintain log of unit activity to include continuous inventory of available supplies
Utilizing the personnel assigned to the MCSU and its accompanying apparatus, the MSC will work to distribute equipment to its appropriate treatment area. This will help to provide the Treatment Unit Leaders with an initial supply of equipment until the full medical needs of the incident can be determined. Responding personnel will be assigned to Medical Supply throughout the duration of the incident. Keeping this crew together helps in ensure that there are enough resources available to distribute additional supplies as needed and helps to provide security and accountability to the MCSU and its equipment. Logging the unit activity will help the MSC to know how much equipment is still available, where equipment has been distributed and who has distributed the equipment. After the incident, an accurate log of activity will aid in the restocking of medical equipment on the unit, as well as allow for ongoing evaluation of the equipment needs of a major incident.

11. Report to area designated by Medical Group Supervisor
Establish ICS position visually by donning vest and verbally over radio
Determine best location for MCSU
Distribute supplies as needed
Since this position is not filled until the arrival of an MCSU, establishing the ICS position both verbally and visually helps the Incident Commander as well as personnel operating around the Medical Group know there is a cache of medical equipment on scene and that it will be distributed soon. After coordinating with the Medical Group Supervisor, the MSC will determine the best location for the MCSU. Positioning of this unit is critical, the unit must be in close enough proximity to provide equipment to treatment areas in a timely manner, yet far enough way to keep treatment personnel or patients from coming to it for supplies. It is important that the MSC and all personnel assigned to work on the MCSU understand that equipment must be requested through the chain of command and that no one may come to the unit to pick up equipment.

12. Coordinate with Supply Unit Leader if Logistics Section is established
Request additional supplies
If the event escalates to a significant size, the formation of a Logistics Section will take place. When this section is created, the MSC will work with Logistics to make sure there are adequate medical equipment resources coming into the incident, and if need be make special requests. Logistics requests will most likely be on larger items such as oxygen cylinders, as additional medical equipment can be obtained through additional MCSUs.

13. Summary
Reports to Medical Group Supervisor to position and distribute equipment as necessary
Coordinates with Logistics to acquire additional equipment as necessary
Maintains security and stock of medical equipment necessary for incident
The MSC is responsible for all medical equipment within their given Medical Group. This person needs to know how much equipment is being used, how much is on-hand and forecast the needs for the duration of the incident. The individual must know the type of unit that has initially responded (Level II/Level III) since the amount of equipment on each is different. It is the MSC’s responsibility to request additional equipment and make sure they never run out.