As a localized program, the City of Port St. Lucie Division of Emergency Management, along with the St. Lucie County Division of Emergency Management, play a vital role as a direct link to residents and businesses. The Division's guiding principles adhere to the national standard which structures emergency management at all levels in four phases: mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. All communities are in at least one phase of emergency management at any given time and, during times of disaster, these phases form a cycle.
- Mitigation: Actions taken to prevent to reduce the cause, impact, and consequences of disasters. Takes place before and after emergencies.
- Preparedness: Planning, training, and educational activities for events that cannot be mitigated. Takes place before an emergency.
- Response: Puts preparedness plans into motion for emergency protective actions to safeguard lives and property. Takes place during/in the immediate aftermath of an emergency.
- Recovery: Actions taken to return a community to a normal way of life and to provide financial assistance for repairs when possible. Takes place after an emergency.
The Division of Emergency Management is responsible for developing the framework to reduce community vulnerability to hazards and cope with disasters. Emergency management is proven successful when individuals, the local community, state and federal government agencies fulfill their emergency management responsibilities. A resilient community which prepares together, will recover more quickly following a disaster or emergency.