Ten Second Triage (TST)
Policy Summary: Ten Second Triage (TST)
As of January 2026, PBEM has adopted the Ten Second Triage (TST) protocol, in alignment with Portland Fire & Rescue and the guidance of the Medical Director of Multnomah County Emergency Medical Services, Dr. Jonathan Jui.
The goals and result of all triage methods, including ABC and START are the same. This is the new, more efficient way of quickly assessing, tagging, and documenting survivors' conditions during the rapid medical triage stage of response.
| Effective date | January 08, 2026 |
| Last revised | February 25, 2026 |
| Policy owner | PBEM Community Preparedness Team |
| Author(s) | Glenn C. Devitt (PBEM) |
Reason for Policy
- Safety: Operating using a standard medical triage protocol ensures efficient operations for PBEM volunteers, and the most beneficial evaluation of survivors for next-level care.
- City liability and risk management: PBEM volunteers are required to operate within their training to maintain indemnification.
- Consistency and interoperability: Ten Second Triage (TST) is recommended for all agencies under the guidance of Multnomah County Emergency Medical Services, including Portland Fire & Rescue.
Policy Statement
PBEM volunteers learn and use the Ten Second Triage (TST) protocol to evaluate survivors during and after disasters, to sort them for appropriate higher-level care.
Scope
This policy applies to all PBEM volunteers (NET or ATV) and all Basic NET Trainees
Responsibilities
- Portland Bureau of Emergency Management (PBEM)
- Pays for any required criminal background check a volunteer or prospective volunteer is subject to, evaluates and makes decisions about policy exceptions, tracks currency of volunteers' criminal background check and ensures that they are renewed every three years from the date of a volunteer's activation.
- PBEM volunteers
- Become familiar with the TST protocol, and complete a severe bleeding control training (such as Stop the Bleed). Decide whether or not triage is a deployment task that you will accept. If it is, add the printed TST flowchart to your NET response pack, and the tagging tools selected by your team. Volunteers are not required to purchase formal TST bracelets or tags; duct tape and a permanent marker will suffice.
Definitions
N/A
Implementation Details for Volunteers
- Complete training in TST
- Complete Basic NET Training Unit 4, which includes instruction and practice in TST; or
- Watch the recording of the 2026.02.25 training session. [post of the recording is pending]
- Complete an advanced bleeding control class, such as Stop the Bleed
- As of January 2026 this session is included in Basic NET Training Final Field Exercise
- NETs who completed Basic NET Training prior to January 2026 may request that their Team Leader arrange a training for their group through PBEM.
- Optional: Complete a CPR/AED certification class offered by PBEM or another accredited provider.
Compliance
All volunteers who are willing to participate in medical triage during operations are responsible for following the Implementation steps above.
Related Information
- TST Protocol Flowchart & Patient Tally Sheet - print two sheets per page, duplex
- Ten Second Triage UK website
- UK National Health Service introductory video (6:34)