Phases of Emergency Management

Mitigation

Mitigation is about preventing future emergencies or minimizing their effects.

• Buying flood and fire insurance for your home is a mitigation activity
• Includes any activities that prevent an emergency, reduce the chance of an emergency happening, or reduce the damaging effects of unavoidable emergencies
• Mitigation activities take place before and after emergencies

Preparedness

Preparedness includes activities designed to prepare to handle an emergency.

• Evacuation plans and stocking food and water are both examples of preparedness
• Includes plans or preparations made to save lives and to help response and rescue operations
• Preparedness activities take place before an emergency occurs

Response

Response involves handling an emergency.

• Includes actions taken to save lives and prevent further property damage in an emergency situation
• Response activities take place during an emergency
• Response is putting your preparedness plans into action
• Seeking shelter from a tornado or turning off gas valves in an earthquake are both response activities

Recovery

Recovery covers restoration activities.

• Includes actions taken to return to a normal or an even safer situation following an emergency
• Recovery activities take place after an emergency
• Recovery includes getting financial assistance to help pay for the repairs