What term is used for actions taken to prevent an emergency or lessen its impacts?

Mitigation refers to actions that are specifically designed to prevent an emergency from occurring or to lessen the impact when such emergencies do take place. This concept is particularly important in the context of emergency management and disaster preparedness, as it focuses on proactive strategies aimed at reducing vulnerabilities and risks.

For instance, in the context of water distribution, mitigation could involve implementing better infrastructure, such as building levees or reservoirs to manage flooding, or modernizing systems to prevent leaks and breaks. Such measures not only help to avoid emergencies but also ensure that the consequences of any potential disasters are minimized.

Preparation, while related, specifically pertains to planning and readiness for emergencies once they happen, rather than preventing them altogether. Response is about the immediate actions taken during or after an emergency, and recovery pertains to the processes involved in returning to normalcy after an emergency has occurred. Thus, mitigation stands out as the key term associated with prevention and impact reduction.