The cycle of integrated risk management
An integrated and holistic risk management assumes that all types of measures for natural disaster reduction are considered. Generally, measures of preparedness, response and recovery (reconstruction) are equally applied.
Integrative risk management is understood as the systematic approach adopted within a cycle of preparedness, response and recovery. This concept was originally developed for the civil protection sector and adapted for natural hazard management. Diagram: Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP)
Why do we need integrated risk management?
Higher population density, increasing traffic, the various needs at work an in leisure time have considerably increased risk of natural hazards over the past decades. It is impossible to guarantee a 100% safety. Therefore, a risk culture is required, a risk culture which allows and enables us to assess, evaluate and show the prevailing risks and their changes as well as the necessary protection measures. With this regard it is particularly important to develop the ability to cope with uncertainties.
We will show you how natural hazards and risks should be dealt with ideally in Switzerland. This list is not exhaustive but rather shows a range of the most important activities. Many of those steps are already routine. To link up all the elements of this cycle and an optimised communication is the aim of the federal, cantonal, and municipal authorities.
Further details about the three main activity fields of the disaster cycle are given: