Citation

Kennedy G, Richards M, Chicarelli M, Ernst A, Harrell A, Stites D. South. Med. J. 2013; 106(1): 13-16.

Affiliation

Department of Emergency Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Southern Medical Association)

DOI

10.1097/SMJ.0b013e31827cb037

PMID

23263307

Abstract

The objective of this review is to stimulate the reader's considerations for developing community disaster mitigation. Disaster mitigation begins long before impact and is defined as the actions taken by a community to eliminate or minimize the impact of a disaster. The assessment of vulnerabilities, the development of infrastructure, memoranda of understanding, and planning for a sustainable response and recovery are parts of the process. Empowering leadership and citizens with knowledge of available resources through the planning and development of a disaster response can strengthen a community's resilience, which can only add to the viability and quality of life enjoyed by the entire community.

Language: en