An emergency management program examines potential emergencies and disasters based on the risks posed by likely hazards; develops and implements programs aimed toward reducing the impact of these events on the community, prepares for those risks that cannot be eliminated; and prescribes the actions required to deal with the consequences of actual events and to recover from those events.

Emergency activities are divided into four phases that form a cycle. The phases of the cycle are:

1.  Mitigation—Taking sustained actions to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from hazards and their effects.  (Click here for more on Mitigation)

2. Preparedness—Building the emergency management function to respond effectively to, and recover from, any hazard.  (Click here for more on Preparedness)

3. Response—Conducting emergency operations to save lives and property by taking action to reduce the hazard to acceptable levels (or eliminate it entirely); evacuating potential victims; providing food, water, shelter, and medical care to those in need; and restoring critical public services.  (Click here for more on Response)

4. Recovery—Rebuilding communities so that individuals, businesses, and governments can function on their own, return to normal life, and protect against future hazards.  (Click here for more on Recovery)

Following the emergency, we learn how to mitigate, prepare, and respond better. As we revise our efforts, the cycle repeats.