THE DOMAIN OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT INFORMATION 5
Preparedness refers to the actions taken prior to a possible disaster that enable the emergency
managers and the public to be able to respond adequately when a disaster actually occurs. For
example, personnel can be trained using computer-generated or -supported simulations or exercises.
Web sites can be created to direct citizens about what to do in different disaster circumstances
and how to prepare their families, for example, by having a two-week supply of water,
food, medicines, and other necessary materials stored in their homes, or map-based indications of
evacuation routes for events such as floods or fires. Preparedness also includes having adequate
information systems up and running and practicing with them so that they can be used for command
and control to coordinate emergency personnel and locate resources and keep track of the
location of evacuees, for instance.
The response phase includes actions taken immediately prior to a foretold event, as well as
during and after the disaster event, that help to reduce human and property losses. Examples of
such actions include placing emergency supplies and personnel; searching for, rescuing, and
treating victims, and housing them in a temporary, relatively safe place. Information systems are
crucial for coordinating the efforts to distribute rescue workers and supplies and materials (e.g.,
water, food, medical supplies, and ambulances) to the locations where they are most needed.
Increasingly, citizens are supplying information to online systems that are helpful in this phase,
such as by uploading photos of the unfolding disaster or supplying information about missing or
injured people.
The recovery phase is sometimes never completed; its objective is to enable the population
Awareness and Prevention
• Hazard prediction and modeling
• Risk assessment and mapping
• Systemic risks
• Regional/city planning
• E-learning
Recovery
• Lessons learned
• Scenario update
Socio-economic and
environmental impact
assessment
Spatial re-planning
Sustained Response
Interventions that restore
functionality of critical systems
and meet social needs
Preparation
• Monitoring and early
warning
• Scenarios development
• Emergency planning maps
• Training
Alert
• DSS
• Scenario identification
• All media alarm
• Secure and dependable
telecommunications