What should be a primary consideration when preparing for a potential disaster?

A primary consideration when preparing for a potential disaster is identifying risks and resources. This involves assessing the specific hazards that a community faces, such as natural disasters, technological incidents, or public health emergencies. Understanding the risks allows emergency management professionals to develop effective strategies tailored to the unique challenges that their community may encounter.

Simultaneously, identifying available resources—such as personnel, equipment, and support networks—is essential for effective disaster preparedness and response. It ensures that there are plans in place to use these resources efficiently during an emergency. This approach fosters a proactive mindset, enabling communities to enhance their resilience and capacity to respond effectively when disasters strike.

Other options lack a comprehensive approach to disaster preparation. Adjusting budgets alone does not address the underlying risks and necessary resources for response. Keeping the community unaware of risks undermines public safety and preparedness efforts, as informed citizens are better equipped to respond and recover. Developing only recovery plans, without considering risk assessment and preparedness, would neglect the proactive measures necessary to prevent or mitigate the impact of disasters.