[Role of a surgical emergency department in the management of a disaster bringing a great number of patients with burns].

Definition of a disaster would follow prescriptions from the "International Trauma Foundation" (Brighton 1981, document A). This disaster may be: simple (where the structure of community remains intact), compound (where the structure of community and function of the community are disrupted). The classification of disasters is realized: by cause, by number of casualties, by nature of pathology, by time while cause operating, by time of rescue procedures at site, by affected area, by rural or urban location. Belgian legislation about disaster is described. Disaster related to major technological risks will be characterized by high probability of traumatic and burns injuries. The authors prepare medical responses to this eventually, defining the role of a "base hospital", the role of a medical team at site and the management of different groups of burned patients. Propositions are made to bring together actors of "disaster plan".