Disaster Preparedness

Disaster preparedness provides a platform to design effective, realistic and coordinated planning, reduces duplication of efforts and increase the overall effectiveness of National Societies, household and community members disaster preparedness and response efforts.

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The four phases of disaster:

• 1) mitigation;
• 2) preparedness;
• 3) response; and
• 4) recovery

The model helps frame issues related to disaster preparedness as well as economic and business recovery after a disaster.

The most common disasters result from meteorological (weather-related) and geological events and can affect any area of the U.S. Their impact can be localized or widespread, predictable or unpredictable. Damage can range from minimal to major.

Depending on the severity of the incident, they can have a long-term impact on the infrastructure (roads, bridges, and utilities) of any location.

Threats involving natural forces include thunderstorm, flood, tornado, hurricane, winter storm, drought, wildfire, landslide, earthquake, tsunami (tidal wave), volcano, and dam failure.

Technological (man-made) hazards include hazardous material releases and spills, acts of terrorism, and nuclear accidents.

Natural hazards are usually, but not always, more predictable than any other type of hazard. Other threats include animal health emergencies, such as outbreaks of a Foreign Animal Disease.

Although we cannot know exactly when or where disasters will strike, or how severe they will be, we recognize from past experience which geographical areas are most vulnerable to certain types of natural hazards. This knowledge helps us better prepare for and respond to natural hazards.