Emergency Management Preparedness Cycle

Mitigation: 

The sustained capabilities necessary to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters.

The goal of mitigation is to save lives and reduce property damage. Mitigation can accomplish this, and mitigation actions should be cost-effective and environmentally sound. Mitigation can reduce the cost of disasters to property owners and all levels of government. Mitigation can protect critical community facilities, reduce exposure to liability, and minimize disruption of community services. Examples of mitigation actions include land use planning, adoption of current disaster building codes, elevation of homes, acquisition and demolition of structures in hazard-prone areas, or relocation of homes away from hazard-prone areas.

Preparedness: 

The capabilities necessary to avoid, prevent, or stop a threatened or actual act of terrorism. For the purposes of the prevention framework called for in PPD-8, the term "prevention" refers to preventing imminent threats. 

Response: 

The capabilities necessary to save lives, protect property and the environment, and meet basic human needs after an incident has occurred. 

Recovery: 

The capabilities necessary to assist communities affected by an incident to recover effectively.