What type of incident is characterized by the need for sorting patients based on severity of condition?

The scenario described in the question refers to a mass casualty incident (MCI), where there are numerous victims, and resources are overwhelmed. In such situations, the need for sorting patients based on the severity of their condition is critical. This process is known as triage, and it helps responders prioritize care based on urgency and the likelihood of survival.

In a mass casualty incident, medical personnel must quickly assess each patient to allocate limited resources effectively. Patients with life-threatening injuries that can be treated quickly will be prioritized over those with less severe injuries to ensure the maximum number of survivors. This system is essential in emergency management, especially when time is of the essence.

In contrast, the other options do not involve the same level of patient sorting based on severity. An emergency medical response generally deals with individual cases or smaller incidents where immediate care can be provided without the need for extensive triage. Routine medical evaluations focus on ongoing health assessments, not emergency situations. Lastly, a public health crisis typically involves broader population impacts rather than immediate individual patient care, and it may not always require an acute triage process like that seen in mass casualty incidents.