Which term defines the continuous process of preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation?

The term that defines the continuous process of preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation is the emergency management cycle. This concept encompasses all phases of emergency management, illustrating how each phase is interconnected and works together to enhance community resilience.

Preparedness involves planning and training to ensure that individuals and organizations are ready to respond to emergencies. The response phase focuses on the immediate action taken to save lives and protect property when a disaster occurs. Recovery involves restoring the community to normal or near-normal conditions after an incident, while mitigation aims to reduce the impact of future disasters through strategies such as risk assessments, building codes, and public education.

This cycle emphasizes that emergency management is not a one-time or isolated effort but rather a continuous loop that keeps communities better prepared for future incidents. The cohesive nature of these phases underscores the importance of integrating lessons learned from past events into future planning and response efforts.