How are incidents categorized in emergency management?

Incidents in emergency management are categorized by the nature of the response required, which includes distinguishing between natural and man-made incidents. This classification is crucial because the types of responses, resources needed, and expertise required can vary significantly based on the nature of the incident.

Natural incidents, such as hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes, typically require a different set of resources and response strategies than man-made incidents, such as terrorist attacks or industrial accidents. Understanding the nature of an incident helps emergency managers plan effectively, allocate resources appropriately, and design interventions that are specific to the type of emergency being faced.

Other methods of categorization, such as potential financial impact, number of personnel involved, or geographical area affected, do not directly address the unique characteristics of different types of incidents or the specific response tactics needed, making them less effective as primary categorizations in emergency management.