DISASTER

MANAGEMENT CYCLE
4 Phases of Disaster Management
Disaster Management Cycle
Think of Disasters as recurring events
that take place in 4 Key Phases
• 1. Mitigation

• 2. Preparedness

• 3. Response

• 4. Recovery
Disaster Management Cycle
• All organizations are in at least one phase at a given time

• Understanding these phases will empower the

organization to prepare for and respond to crises
Phase1 Mitigation
• To prevent future emergencies and take steps to minimize
their effects
• This phase occurs BEFORE a disaster takes place
• Steps taken by the organization to protect people and
property, while decreasing risks and consequences from a
given disaster situation
• Main Goal: reduce the vulnerability to disaster impacts
• Damage to property, injuries and loss of life
• Example:
• Conducting property inspection to discover ways to retrofit buildings
against damage
Phase 2: Preparedness
• Taking actions ahead of time to be ready for an
emergency
• Also occurs BEFORE a disaster takes place
• ‘how a disaster might affect overall productivity’
• Providing appropriate education while putting
preparedness measures into place
• Example
• Hosting training, education, drills
• Knowing what to do “in the event” of an emergency
Phase 3: Response
• Protecting people and property in the wake of an
emergency, disaster or crisis
• Occurs in the IMMEDIATE AFTERMATH of a disaster
• Focuses attention on IMMEDIATE THREATS to people,
property and business
• Occupants safety and wellbeing depends largely on its
preparedness levels before disaster strikes
• Example
• Ensure that people is out of harm’s way
• Assess damage, implement disaster response plans, triage
cleanup efforts and start resource distribution
Phase 4: Recovery
• To rebuild after a disaster, with the effort to return
operations back to Normal
• Takes place AFTER a disaster
• By this time, organization has achieved some degree of
physical, environmental, economic and social stability
• Duration is dependent on the severity of the incident
• Example
• Creating strategic protocols and action plans to address the most
serious impacts of a disaster
• Obtaining new resources, rebuild or create partnerships, and
implement effective recovery strategies
• Reducing financial burdens, rebuild damaged structures and
reduce vulnerability to future disasters
• Meghan Kelly (copywriter of Akitabox); April2020
• 4 Phases of Disaster Management Explained (The Easy Way)