Which of the following best describes "mitigation" in emergency management?

Mitigation in emergency management refers specifically to the strategies and actions taken to prevent or reduce the impact of disasters before they occur. This can include various measures such as developing building codes, improving infrastructure resilience, conducting community education programs, and implementing land-use planning to avoid high-risk areas. The focus of mitigation is on minimizing damage and ensuring that communities are better prepared and less vulnerable to future incidents.

Immediate response to a disaster addresses the urgent needs brought on by a disaster (such as search and rescue operations), while recovery and rebuilding deal with the aftermath of an incident and restoring affected areas. Preparation and planning involve setting up systems and plans to effectively handle emergencies, but they are distinct from mitigation, which specifically centers on proactive steps taken to lower the risk and severity of potential disasters. Therefore, the correct description of mitigation aligns with actions aimed at preventing or lessening the impacts of disasters, making option B the best choice.