Remember, the response function of emergency management includes actions taken immediately following an event or incident to save lives, meet the service needs of the community, reduce the loss of personal or public property, and lessen the impact to infrastructure and the environment.

Response activities include damage assessment, based on current disaster information. They also include the identification of lifeline and infrastructure disruption. This consists of detection and isolation of disruptions, securing systems (water, sewer, electric, bridges, highways, etc.), securing facilities, and clearing streets.