Emergency Planning is the development and preparation of emergency plans and procedures and the identification of necessary personnel and resources to provide an effective response. Emergency Preparedness is the training of personnel, acquisition and maintenance of resources, and exercising of the plans, procedures, personnel, and resources essential for emergency response. Emergency Response is the implementation of planning and preparedness during an emergency. Implementation includes the decisions, actions, and application of resources used to mitigate the impact of the emergency. Emergency response also includes recovery from the emergency.
Recovery includes all post-event activities and considerations.
Recovery activities can continue for some time after an emergency. Mitigation includes proactive activities or projects that eliminate or lessen the impact that disasters have on people or property. When a major disaster threatens an area, FEMA works with state and local authorities to establish communications, position emergency equipment and supplies and track the event. When the disaster occurs, FEMA coordinates the delivery of federal resources under the Federal Response Plan.