In the first minutes and hours of a mass-casualty emergency such as earthquake, explosion, or terrorist attack, large numbers of people are injured at once, 911 Services will be overwhelmed and unable to respond to all the injured at once. Most will wait 24 hours to 3 days for help. DFA is essential information and skills that can save lives and limbs that otherwise would be lost by having to wait too long, often for simple care that is needed immediately.

Disaster First Aid is designed for citizens and volunteers. DFA Includes START Rapid Triage, First-24-hour Action Outline, and the same first-action protocols used by EMS Rescue, adapted to citizen level of ability and resources. Written by a Fire Training Officer, hospital and field EMS professional caregiver with 25 years experience in field & hospital Emergency care and disaster response.