What is Emergency Management?

Emergency Management is the occupation and coordinated effort that involves local, state, and federal government agencies, as well as, volunteer organizations, businesses, schools, and others, assist communities impacted by a disaster. Following an integrated emergency management framework, these entities help citizens and their communities prepare for, respond to, recover from, and implement measures to eliminate or reduce the effects of natural or man-made emergencies and disasters.

The emergency management structure that exists today in the United States has its origins in the civil defense efforts that arose after World War II in response to the possibility of a nuclear attack. In the 1960's, the field of emergency management began expanding and, by the 1980's, the focus had widened to the multi-hazard approach that prevails today. The primary mission of emergency management is to prevent injuries, save lives and reduce property damage through the four sections of Emergency Management: Preparedness, Response, Recover, and Mitigation.

While local, state, and federal government agencies, in coordination with their public and private partners, work to provide disaster assistance, it is important to remember that they are not capable, or equipped to meet all the needs of citizens in a disaster. Therefore, it is essential that individuals and families learn about the risks and hazards they might face and take steps to minimize their exposure to them, by following many of the tips and steps contained on this site and others.

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