The four Rs

The four Rs of emergency management (reduction, readiness, response and recovery) show you the areas that given your action will improve your ability to get through in an emergency.

Reduction

During a disaster, buildings, ground and objects can move, fall, break, or burn, causing injury or property damage. Aim to reduce the effects of a disaster on you and your property by:

  • securing heavy items of furniture to the floor or wall
  • having the structural soundness of your home checked by a builder when you move in or after making structural alterations
  • having the structural soundness of grounds checked by a civil engineer if you see any signs of ground movement
  • securely storing loose items within your home (dinnerware, crockery, and kitchenware)
  • removing or securing any objects that could fall and do harm such as wardrobes, bookcases, ornaments or free-standing appliances

Store household and work place products safely so the risk of breakage and spillage is reduced.

Store all chemicals safely:

  • Well above potential floodwater levels and secure from falling and spilling
  • Agricultural and pool chemicals need special care

Readiness

Make sure you are ready by:

  • developing emergency plans for your home and business
  • preparing survival kits and disaster equipment
  • learning how to turn off the utilities in your home and at work
  • holding family emergency safety sessions
  • learning what to do during a disaster
  • learning what to do after a disaster has occurred

Response

Response activities can maintain your safety and protect your property from damage. Response activities occur during and immediately after a disaster.

Response activity is guided by these aims:

  1. Provide for the safety and health of responders
  2. Save lives
  3. Reduce suffering
  4. Protect public health
  5. Protect critical infrastructure
  6. Protect property
  7. Protect the environment
  8. Reduce economic and social losses

Many response activities are likely to be carried out alongside recovery activities.

Recovery

Recovery activities are the coordinated efforts and processes that affect the immediate reconstruction of a community following a disaster. Recovery work re-establishes the quality of life of the community following an emergency.

Recovery processes will meet future community needs and reduce future exposure to hazards and risks. Recovery invariably relies in part on the active collaboration of partners and stakeholders for its effectiveness.