Return to normal view

Prevention, Response and Recovery

Prevention, response and recovery are the three components of managing emergencies.

Prevention

Prevention is the action of planning and preparing before an emergency takes place with the intention of reducing the risk of an emergency occurring, or the impact should one occur. For example, the fire agencies may conduct bushfire awareness training with community members who live in fire risk areas to educate them about how to protect themselves and their property should a fire cross their path, they also undertake fuel reduction burning to lessen the amount of fuel for a fire.

Response

Responding to an emergency is when action is taken to minimise the effects of an emergency that is taking place. Emergency services are activated and respond to the emergency by carrying out a number of duties that help save lives, reduce injury, property loss and the impact on the environment, preventing the emergency from getting bigger.

Recovery

Recovery processes support those who have been affected by the emergency and help them return to normal level of functioning. Recovery can occur at a community level, economic level and environmental level. An example of this may be that the Government provides financial assistance to people who have had their homes destroyed.