Which actions occur in the Prevention stage?

• A. Educating the public regarding what actions to take to prepare
• B. Develop a plan for meeting the potential disasters identified
• C. In a bioterrorist attack providing knowledge on the agents that might be used
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

Prevention aims to reduce risk before disasters occur. Educating the public about actions to take to prepare builds resilience and enables people to protect themselves when an event happens. Developing a plan for meeting potential disasters identified is preventive planning—establishing roles, procedures, and resources in advance to lessen impact. Providing knowledge about the agents that might be used in a bioterrorist attack supports surveillance, early detection, and protective actions, all of which help prevent harm. Taken together, these actions illustrate how prevention encompasses education, planning, and threat awareness, so all of the above occur in the Prevention stage.