Disaster Summit Highlights: Strengthening Readiness Through Collaboration

This month, the American Burn Association (ABA) convened a Disaster Summit to take a closer look at how burn care and trauma systems prepare for and respond to large-scale emergencies. The goal was simple but important: step back, assess current readiness, and identify where stronger coordination could make a difference when it matters most. 

The timing of this conversation is significant. Increasing global tensions, ongoing regional conflicts, and a healthcare system still recovering from pandemic-related strain have underscored the need for deliberate, sustained preparedness. Large-scale burn disasters, whether industrial, natural, or conflict-related, place extraordinary demands on clinical teams and healthcare infrastructure. In this environment, resilience cannot be assumed; it must be built through partnership and planning. 

Conversations focused on the big picture. While burn centers and trauma systems across the country provide exceptional care every day, large-scale events place unique demands on people, facilities, and resources. Summit discussions explored how communication, coordination, and planning can be strengthened across regions and systems to ensure patients receive timely, appropriate care during complex incidents. 

A central theme was the importance of deepening partnerships, not only within the burn community but also with trauma colleagues and key federal agencies. Effective disaster response depends on seamless coordination between prehospital providers, trauma systems, burn centers, and national response partners. Strengthening those relationships before a crisis occurs is essential to delivering integrated care when seconds matter. 

The summit brought together professional society leadership, representatives from the Department of War, the Agency for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), the Joint Trauma System, and trauma leaders from across the country. For many in attendance, this marked the first time these groups convened specifically to address large-scale burn disasters in such a candid and collaborative setting. The discussion was not theoretical; it focused on identifying gaps, sharing frontline experience, and developing actionable solutions that work across civilian and military systems. 

The summit also reinforced the importance of preparation before an event occurs. Readiness is not just about responding in the moment, but about shared planning, consistent training, and clear pathways that support care teams under pressure. These themes closely align with ABA’s strategic priorities around quality, education, advocacy, and system leadership. 

“Our role as an Association is to bring people together, ask the hard questions, and help move the field forward,” said ABA President, Jeffrey Carter, MD, FABA. “This summit was an important step in understanding where we are and where focused collaboration can improve readiness nationwide.” 

Looking ahead, insights from the summit will help inform future discussions, guidance, and educational efforts. Continued engagement with members, trauma partners, and federal stakeholders will help ensure that disaster preparedness remains grounded in real-world experience and responsive to evolving challenges. 

“The conversations underscored both the progress we’ve made and the opportunities ahead,” said ABA President-Elect Lee Cancio, MD, FABA, COL (ret.), MC, US Army. “By continuing to learn from one another, across military, civilian, and federal partners, we can strengthen coordination and preparedness across the entire burn and trauma care continuum.” 

ABA will continue this work through ongoing dialogue, data-informed planning, and member engagement at upcoming meetings and events. 

“Our members are at the heart of this work,” said ABA CEO Ed Dellert, RN, MBA, CAE. “By bringing leaders together and aligning our efforts, ABA is helping position the burn and trauma communities to be more prepared, more connected, and ready to respond when it matters most.” 

ABA extends sincere thanks to LifeScience Plus for their generous support of the Disaster Summit, and to MedStar Washington Hospital Center for hosting the meeting. Their partnership made these important conversations possible and reflects the collaborative spirit needed to advance preparedness across burn care. 

View ABA’s Burn Disaster Preparedness and Response resource page.