Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Furthermore, an integrated and comprehensive emergency management program
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Examines potential emergencies and disasters based on the risks posed by
likely hazards
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Develops and implements programs aimed at reducing the impact of these
events on the community
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Prepares for hazards that cannot be eliminated
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Prescribes actions required to deal with the consequences of actual events
As discussed previously, comprehensive emergency management activities are
divided into four phases:
Mitigation—Taking sustained actions to reduce or eliminate long-term risk
to people and property from hazards
Preparedness—Building the emergency management function to respond
effectively to, and recover from, any hazard
Response—Conducting emergency operations to save lives and property by
taking actions to reduce hazards; evacuating potential victims; providing
food, water, and medical care to those in need; and completing emergency
repairs to restore critical public services
Recovery—Rebuilding communities so that individuals, businesses, and gov-
ernments can function on their own, return to normal life, and protect
against future hazards
Following an emergency, lessons learned are used to mitigate, prepare, and respond
better. As the plan is revised based on lessons learned, the cycle repeats. Each of
these phases is described next.
Mitigation
As the costs of disasters continue to rise, it is necessary to take sustained action to
reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to people and property from hazards and
their effects. These sustained actions are known as mitigation.
Mitigation should be a continued activity that is integrated with each of the
other phases of emergency management to use a long-range, community-based
approach to disasters. The goals of mitigation activities are to protect people and
structures, and reduce the cost of response and recovery.
Mitigation is accomplished in conjunction with a hazard analysis, which helps
to identify what events can occur in and around the community; the likelihood
that an event will occur; and the consequences of the event in terms of casualties,
destruction, disruption to critical services, and costs of recovery. To be successful,
mitigation measures must be developed into an overall mitigation strategy that
