What does mitigation refer to in the context of emergency management?

Mitigation in emergency management is focused on reducing the severity and impact of disasters before they occur. This includes proactive measures taken to lessen the potential risks associated with hazards. Examples of mitigation strategies include implementing building codes designed to withstand earthquakes, establishing floodplain zoning regulations, and investing in infrastructure improvements that lessen the risk of damage from natural disasters.

The option related to recovery after a disaster addresses the processes and actions taken to restore affected communities, which is an essential phase of emergency management but does not pertain to mitigation itself. The planning phase before an exercise is critical for preparedness, ensuring that existing resources are mobilized effectively; however, this phase does not directly involve risk reduction strategies. Lastly, immediate response actions are focused on attending to emergencies as they happen, which is a vital component of emergency management but is distinctly different from the long-term strategies that fall under mitigation efforts. Hence, mitigation specifically focuses on capabilities and actions that proactively decrease the impacts of potential disasters.