Disaster Preparedness
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Learn about the four phases of emergency management.
The Four Phases of Emergency Management
Mitigation![Firefighter looking at a blazing fire](https://www.woodburycountyiowa.gov/images/general/disaster_preparedness_fire_75654.jpg)
Preventing future emergencies or minimizing their effects
- Includes any activities that prevent an emergency, reduce the chance of an emergency happening, or reduce the damaging effects of unavoidable emergencies.
- Buying flood and fire insurance for your home is a mitigation activity.
- Mitigation activities take place before and after emergencies.
Response![Image of a flooded urban area after a natural disaster.](https://www.woodburycountyiowa.gov/images/general/disaster_response_43779.jpg)
Responding safely to an emergency
- Includes actions taken to save lives and prevent further property damage in an emergency situation. 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.
- Response activities take place during an emergency.
Preparedness![Image of a flooded neighborhood after an emergency or natural disaster.](https://www.woodburycountyiowa.gov/images/general/disaster_preparedness_64195.jpg)
Preparing to handle an emergency
- Includes plans or preparations made to save lives and to help response and rescue operations.
- Evacuation plans and stocking food and water are both examples of preparedness.
- Preparedness activities take place before an emergency occurs.
Recovery![Image of firefighters pointing at a building on a fire after an emergency or natural disaster.](https://www.woodburycountyiowa.gov/images/general/disaster_recovery_41438.jpg)
Recovering from an emergency
- Includes actions taken to return to a normal or an even safer situation following an emergency.
- Recovery includes getting financial assistance to help pay for the repairs.
- Recovery activities take place after an emergency.
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