What are the four phases of emergency management that ICS supports?

The four phases of emergency management supported by the Incident Command System (ICS) are known as mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. Each phase plays a critical role in managing emergencies effectively.

Mitigation refers to actions taken to reduce or eliminate the impact of disasters before they occur. This can include initiatives like community planning, strengthening infrastructure, or educating the public about risks. Preparedness involves planning and training to ensure that individuals and organizations are ready to respond appropriately when an emergency arises. This phase includes developing response plans, conducting drills, and establishing communication strategies.

Response encompasses the immediate actions taken during an emergency to protect lives, property, and the environment. This phase involves coordination among various agencies and resources to manage the situation effectively. Finally, recovery refers to the processes and actions taken to restore the community to its normal state after an emergency. This includes rebuilding infrastructure, providing support to those affected, and improving systems to better handle future incidents.

These four phases form a comprehensive approach to emergency management, allowing for effective planning and execution from the onset of a disaster through recovery efforts.