Book excerpt: This book provides a step-by-step process that focuses on how to develop, practice, and maintain emergency plans that reflect what must be done before, during, and after a disaster, in order to protect people and property. The communities who preplan and mitigate prior to any incident will be better prepared for emergency scenarios. This book will assist those with the tools to address all phases of emergency management. It covers everything from the social and environmental processes that generate hazards, to vulnerability analysis, hazard mitigation, emergency response, and disaster recovery.