Disaster preparedness.

The only rational approach to the potential chaos of a mass disaster is thoughtful predisaster preparation and realistic but optimistic confrontation of the situation. An appropriate response implies accurate assessment of the magnitude of the disaster, the establishment of a reliable and effective communication system, a realistic inventory of and provision for sustained personnel and logistical support, and proper triage of individual casualties. It is incumbent upon the medical community to provide imaginative and creative responses to the concept of mass casualty management, and for all physicians involved to function in the generic sense as trauma surgeons.