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What is Emergency Management?

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Emergency management is a process that protects communities from hazards, or threats to life or property. This process involves four, often overlapping phases:

  1. Prevention/Mitigation is the process of preventing a disaster, or minimizing the negative effects of unavoidable disasters. (Enforcing building codes, building levees to protect potential flood zones, etc.)   

  2. Preparedness involves actions taken prior to a disaster that facilitate a better response. (Training, conducting drills, developing plans, and acquiring resources to aid in response)  

  3. Response is the actual action taken during or immediately following a disaster to protect life and property. (Fire fighters responding to a wildfire)  

  4. Recovery is the long term process of restoring a community to the same conditions that existed prior to an emergency or better. (Providing physical and psychological support, and rebuilding damaged structures) 

 
Office of Emergency Management General Number:   (949) 724-7235
Irvine Police Department General Number:                 (949) 724-7000