Role of Emergency Physicians in Disaster Preparedness and Response

Revised September 2025 titled "Role of Emergency Physicians in Disaster Preparedness and Response"
Originally approved October 2021 titled "Role of Emergency Physicians in Disaster Preparedness and Response (Impact of COVID Pandemic)"


Medical disasters and mass casualty incidents continue to expose many shortcomings in hospital and healthcare disaster planning and response for both short- and long-term events. Greater focus is needed on disasters that evolve over long periods of time and disrupt multiple facets of society. Many existing plans are based on faulty assumptions and unrealistic expectations. The utility of having an emergency medicine presence at regional and state emergency operation centers is well established. Emergency physicians possess the clinical and operational knowledge and skills necessary to prepare for and respond to disasters.   

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) encourages emergency physicians to:

1. Assist their institutions and community to prepare for and respond to disasters at the local, regional, state, and federal level.
2. Serve as subject matter experts on the allocation of scarce health care resources. Emergency physicians must be actively involved in decision-making processes, not merely expected to respond to disasters.
3. Work with institutions and local health agencies to educate health care providers about disaster plans and promote realistic exercises that test those plans, to ensure effective and timely responses.
4. Advocate for sustainable disaster preparedness, including surge capacity, planning, training, research, equipment, supplies, oversight, and process improvement. This involves identifying and securing funding streams to develop, expand and enhance disaster preparedness at all levels.
5. Collaborate with institutional and public health leaders to effectively communicate public health and safety information.
6. Partner with hospitals and health systems to protect healthcare workers, their families, and their patients from unnecessary risks. Perceived and real risks can undermine the effectiveness of disaster response by health care workers.

By taking these steps, emergency physicians can play a vital role in ensuring the resilience and effectiveness of health care systems during medical disasters and mass casualty incidents.