Crans-Montana Fire: Commentary by ABA President-Elect Dr. Leopoldo Cancio [San Antonio, TX, Director, USAISR Burn Center]

Mass-casualty burn events challenge even the most advanced healthcare systems. The recent tragedy in Crans-Montana is a stark reminder that large-scale burn incidents can quickly overwhelm regional capacity and require rapid coordination across hospitals, disciplines, and jurisdictions.

Recognizing this reality during its November 2025 meeting, the American Burn Association (ABA) Board of Trustees prioritized a comprehensive review of disaster preparedness, training, communication, and coordination across burn and trauma systems. This work is focused on identifying gaps, strengthening partnerships, and clarifying roles before—not during—the next crisis.

The Board is clear: ABA cannot address these challenges alone. Effective readiness requires collaboration across trauma systems, emergency preparedness leaders, public health agencies, government partners, and international colleagues. Our role is to help convene expertise, surface gaps, and advance coordinated solutions that improve readiness and response.

While this is an unfortunate wake-up call, events like this reaffirm the importance of proactive leadership, shared responsibility, and sustained investment in disaster preparedness, so that when the unthinkable occurs, systems are as ready as possible to respond.

Lee Cancio, MD, FABA
ABA, President-Elect
Director of the U.S. Army Burn Center at the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas