What is the main focus during the response phase of emergency management?

The main focus during the response phase of emergency management is immediate actions to save lives and protect property. This phase occurs after a disaster strikes and is characterized by the urgent need to address the life-threatening aspects of the situation. This includes search and rescue operations, providing medical assistance, ensuring the safety of people in the affected areas, and beginning the process of damage control.

In this context, response activities aim to stabilize the incident, provide for the basic needs of individuals such as food, water, and shelter, and restore public safety as quickly as possible. The emphasis is on acting swiftly and effectively to mitigate further harm to the community and its residents.

Other options might address important aspects of emergency management but do not capture the primary objective of the response phase. For instance, restoring normalcy is a goal that typically falls within the recovery phase, while preparation for future disasters and training personnel are more relevant to the preparedness phase of emergency management. Thus, the correct answer accurately reflects the urgent priorities that define the response efforts in the face of an emergency.