What are the five mission areas defined in the National Preparedness Goal?

The five mission areas defined in the National Preparedness Goal are Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response, and Recovery. This framework outlines a comprehensive approach to emergency management and aims to enhance community resilience in the face of disasters.

Prevention focuses on avoiding or stopping an incident from occurring. Protection emphasizes safeguarding communities against threats and hazards. Mitigation involves efforts to reduce the loss of life and property by minimizing the impact of disasters. Response is the immediate action taken to address the effects of an incident. Lastly, Recovery is about restoring the affected area back to normal or improved levels of functioning after a disaster.

These five mission areas are essential as they represent a holistic view of the preparedness cycle, ensuring that all aspects of emergency management are accounted for, from planning and readiness to recovery and resilience-building. Understanding these elements is crucial for effective emergency management practice and aids in aligning efforts across different levels of government and organizations.