Which of the following best describes "emergency preparedness"?

Emergency preparedness refers to the proactive measures taken to plan for potential emergencies, ensuring that individuals, organizations, or communities are ready to respond effectively when such events occur. This involves identifying risks, developing response plans, conducting training, and ensuring that resources are available. By focusing on preparation rather than reaction, emergency preparedness aims to minimize the impact of disasters through well-organized and practiced strategies.

The other options reflect important aspects of emergency management, but they do not capture the essence of emergency preparedness. Reactive strategies or assessing response effectiveness are about what happens during or after an emergency rather than planning for it in advance. The establishment of emergency regulations plays a role in the legal framework for emergency situations but does not encompass the comprehensive planning and training that characterizes preparedness. Therefore, the correct choice highlights the importance of anticipating and planning for emergencies before they occur.