Hazard Models - The Hazard Management Cycle

The Hazard Management Cycle takes into account preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation.

The Disaster Cycle

The disaster cycle or the disaster life cycle consists of the steps that emergency managers take in planning for, and responding to, disasters.

Each step in the disaster cycle correlates to part of the ongoing cycle that is emergency management. This disaster cycle is used throughout the emergency management community, from the local to the national and international levels

Preparedness strategies focus on ensuring that emergency services and people at risk are aware of how to react during an event. After the hazard happens response then happens.

The response section of the hazard cycle is focused on the immediate needs of the population, such as the protection of life and property and includes firefighting, emergency medical response, evacuation and transportation, decontamination, and the provision of food, water and shelter to victims.

Recovery is the equivalent to long-term responses and is where the city authorities focus on clean-up and rebuilding. This can take months or even years.

Finally, mitigation involves authorities looking at the impact of the hazard and rebuilding in a better way to reduce similar impacts from a future hazard. This can involve the building of earthquake proof buildings for example. Recovery and mitigation take place at the same time. After the cycle is complete, emergency planners will revisit the cycle and review and amend the aspect of preparedness in light of the success of the responses in the recent hazard.