Emergency management is the managerial function charged with creating the framework within which organizations and communities reduce vulnerability to hazards and cope with disasters.  Emergency management seeks to promote safer, less vulnerable situations with the capacity to cope with hazards and disasters.

The 5 phases of Emergency Management are: Prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.

Recovery consists of those activities that continue beyond the emergency period to restore critical community functions and begin to manage stabilization efforts. The recovery phase begins immediately after the threat to human life has subsided.