EMS usually falls under the EMS Branch in the operations section. The EMS branch is run by a director who coordinates operations from within the operational area as opposed to the incident commander who remains at the Command Post. The EMS Branch Director works closely with the logistics section in order to maintain adequate resources to support EMS operations. A good EMS Branch Director must focus on the ability to manage and not become preoccupied with treating patients. If the director begins treating patients there will be no one to manage the EMS operation.
The EMS Branch typically consists of three groups:
- Triage
- Treatment
- Transport