Which phase of emergency management focuses on preventing disasters before they occur?

The focus of the mitigation phase in emergency management is on preventing disasters before they occur. This phase involves implementing strategies and actions designed to reduce the likelihood or impact of a disaster. Mitigation can include a variety of efforts, such as building regulations that encourage disaster-resistant structures, community planning that takes hazardous areas into consideration, and public education on risk reduction.

By prioritizing these prevention strategies, communities can proactively address vulnerabilities and lessen the potential impact of future emergencies. This phase acknowledges that while some disasters cannot be entirely prevented, effective mitigation can significantly minimize their effects and improve resilience in the long run.