ABSTRACT
The Advanced Medical Post (AMP) is an essential link in the chain of medical care in any disaster situation. The structure and organisation of the AMP in France has been ruled by ministerial decree since 1989. The physicians working with Medical Emergency Assistance Services (SAMU) are emergency physicians: most of them are working full time in the Emergency Medical Department and so they have a high level of practical skill in anaesthesiology and resuscitation. The ‘Mobile Medical Post’ should be defined and described by the Ministry in charge of managing the response to disaster incidents. Reconnaissance is an essential procedure that requires medical equipment, transmission and communication means. The Chief Medical Officer should have permanent contact with Command SAMU of the Command Hospital which is in charge of selecting the appropriate facility to which each victim should be transported.
