The Omagh Bombing Inquiry is examining whether the single worst atrocity of the Troubles could have been prevented
Twenty-nine people, including a woman expecting twins, were murdered in the Real IRA attack on 15 August 1998
This is the fourth week of hearings
Edited by Conor Neeson. Warning: This page contains distressing details
Of those assessed, 23 were transferred to the Royal Victoria hospital, two were taken to the Ulster hospital, one to Belfast City hospital and 25 to Altnagelvin hospital in Derry/Londonderry.
Community service emergency arrangements were also activated.
Many social workers went to the incident room at the Omagh Leisure Centre where they faced the "heartbreaking task" of supporting the bereaved.
A senior surgeon led the assessment of the injured.
He said there was a need to determine how injured people were and to decide whether they needed further specialised treatment which "our own hospitals were not able to provide."
Staff converged for assistance, to offer any support they could.
"We are deeply indebted to all of those, undoubtedly they saved lives."
The report says it was a "huge emergency" with five hospitals required to activate their emergency plans.
The report states that the Tyrone County Hospital dealt with 209 casualties, while the Erne Hospital dealt with 71.
In says further patients were seen the Altnagelvin and South Tyrone Hospitals.
Scores of people began arriving into Tyrone County Hospital.
On a busy night it may treat 15 casualties but staff were faced with two bus loads of men, women and children.
The chairman made some personal comments.
"Imagine a scene on a quiet Saturday afternoon in the hospital in our small market town, the A&E department were dealing with routine Saturday injuries... suddenly all of that was thrown into turmoil."
He said staff heard the bomb which was within three quarters of a mile from the hospital.
An emergency plan was immediately enacted.
The report states that those not present "can barely imagine" how horrific the scene must have been.
The report says the the bomb put out telecommunication lines which it says presented additional difficulties to emergency services.
The chairman said a programme of support mechanisms were set out to support staff.
He said the scene of the bomb was not "part of a civilised society".
He said staff had to witness "such devastation in their own community".
The report highlights the "enormity of the event" in terms of seriousness and volume of casualties.
The report states that the primary focus of the Trust has been to care for the injured, and to begin the process of support for the bereaved.
The chairman of the trust made the opening remarks.
He asked members to stand in silence and for a moment of reflection.
The inquiry has now resumed sitting.
Paul Greaney, the counsel to the inquiry is now reading from an interim report by the health trust responsible for the hospitals to which many of those injured in the bombing were taken.
The inquiry has taken a short break for lunch.
We'll be back at 14:00 GMT when the hearings resume.
Rt Hon Lord Turnbull, chairman of the inquiry, thanks the NIFRS for its statement which he says has made "a very welcome contribution" to the inquiry.
Mr Doherty says he has spoken to everyone personally affected over the past few days.
He says some are here today, some will follow in the news, and others don't feel able to follow "because of the way they were affected".
The emergency services did "everything in their power to save life and prevent injury", Mr Doherty says.
The bomb was a "catastrophic event", Mr Doherty says, leaving "devastation and trauma in its wake".
"Our crews and the wider emergency services reacted swiftly and bravely," he adds.
They worked in "horrific conditions" to save lives and protect the town.