Answer

Hazard Mitigation and Preparedness

Question one

Disaster preparedness involves considering disasters that threaten an individual’s wellbeing at home or in the community and creating a readiness strategy for the family. Animals are also significant members of a specific family. Therefore, they should always be included in the preparedness plan (Medina, 2016). Mitigation is the first stage in the emergency cycle. It includes activities that aim to avert an disaster, decreasing the possibility of incidence or decreasing the destructive impacts of inevitable disasters. Mitigation actions should always be well-thought-out before the disaster (World Health Organization, 2017). For instance, to mitigate fire at home, it is important to follow security standards in choosing construction materials, wiring and appliances. However, a fire accident could happen (World Health Organization, 2017). To protect an individual’s family and animals from the load of reconstruction after a fire accident, one should consider buying fire insurance. These activities decrease the risk and destructive impacts of fire.

The preparedness stage involves establishing plans for actions to take, where to go or where to call for assistance before a disaster. Preparedness involves strategies that will increase an individual’s chances of successfully dealing with a disaster (Medina, 2016). For example, storing emergency telephone numbers and posting smoke detectors and holding emergency drills are effective preparedness strategies (World Health Organization, 2017). Other examples include identifying the nearest areas to seek shelter during a disaster. It is also important to consider preparing an emergency  kit with a crucial supplier for the family and animals. The response involves an individual’s safety and well-being during a disaster. The response relies on how an individual is prepared to deal with the crisis. For example, by being able to act safely and responsibly, one may be able to protect themselves responsibly, their family members and other people around them (Medina, 2016). Response strategies include moving to the basement during a tornado or leading horses away from a wildfire.