Burn Disaster Response in 2025: Are We Still Failing at Patient Triage and Management?

Abstract

Burn mass casualty incidents (BMCIs) continue to pose significant challenges to global healthcare systems, particularly in countries lacking structured disaster preparedness and referral protocols. Despite advances in burn care, recent international disasters have highlighted persistent gaps in early triage, trauma recognition, and airway management. This editorial draws upon case-based observations from multiple real-life incidents, including the Lebanon tanker explosion and Macedonia nightclub fire, to critically examine the consequences of overtriage, unnecessary intubations, and misprioritized referrals. The findings emphasize the need for unified, country-adapted burn management algorithms, especially in regions where specialist burn societies or dedicated task forces are absent. The Turkish national guideline model, established in 2015, is presented as a successful example of improved coordination and survival in BMCIs. Furthermore, this article advocates for international collaboration between burn societies and global health organizations such as the WHO to develop context-specific disaster plans, educational initiatives, and financial support mechanisms. Ultimately, preparedness-through proper training, systematized triage, and evidence-based referral practices-remains the key to reducing morbidity and mortality in future burn disasters.