Crossword clues for preparedness
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Prepared \Pre*pared"\, a.
Made fit or suitable; adapted; ready; as, prepared food;
prepared questions. -- Pre*par"ed*ly, adv.
--Shak. --
Pre*par"ed*ness, n.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1580s, from prepared + -ness.
Wiktionary
n. 1 The state of being prepared. 2 precautionary measures in the face of potential disasters.
WordNet
n. the state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action); "putting them in readiness"; "their preparation was more than adequate" [syn: readiness, preparation]
Wikipedia
Preparedness refers to a very concrete research based set of actions that are taken as precautionary measures in the face of potential disasters. These actions can include both physical preparations (such as emergency supplies depots, adapting buildings to survive earthquakes and so on) and trainings for emergency action. Preparedness is an important quality in achieving goals and in avoiding and mitigating negative outcomes. There are different types of preparedness, such as public health preparedness and local emergency preparedness or snow preparedness (i.e.: Snow Preparedness Teams - SPT), but probably the most developed type is "Disaster Preparedness", defined by the UN as involving "forecasting and taking precautionary measures prior to an imminent threat when advance warnings are possible". This includes not only natural disasters, but all kinds of severe damage caused in a relatively short period, including warfare. Preparedness is a major phase of emergency management, and is particularly valued in areas of competition such as sport and military science.
Methods of preparation include research, estimation, planning, resourcing, education, practicing and rehearsing.
In psychology, preparedness is a concept developed to explain why certain associations are learned more readily than others. For example, phobias related to survival, such as snakes, spiders, and heights, are much more common and much easier to induce in the laboratory than other kinds of fears. According to Martin Seligman, this is a result of our evolutionary history. The theory states that organisms which learned to fear environmental threats faster had a survival and reproductive advantage. Consequently, the innate predisposition to fear these threats became an adaptive human trait.
The concept of preparedness has also been used to explain why taste aversions are learned so quickly and efficiently compared with other kinds of classical conditioning.
Usage examples of "preparedness".
While current response plans and preparedness measures may be adequate for moderate earthquakes, Federal, State, and local officials agree that preparations are woefully inadequate to cope with the damage and casualties from a catastrophic earthquake, and with the disruptions in communications, social fabric, and governmental structure that may follow.
California were prepared to form a basis for emergency preparedness and response.
Even if these lowest estimates prevail, however, the assessment about preparedness and the capability to respond to the disasters discussed in this report would be substantially unchanged.
This weakness has been pointed out repeatedly by earthquake response exercises, and the problem is raised by almost every emergency preparedness official at every level of government.
Annex 2 reviews the general nature of preparedness planning and the basic characteristics of California and Federal Government plans.
Much of the current state of preparedness arises from past programs aimed at a wide spectrum of emergencies, particularly civil defense against nuclear attack.
California State and local governments to prepare an integrated prototype preparedness plan to respond to a catastrophic earthquake in Southern California or to a prediction of such an event.
The problem of emergency preparedness is severely complicated because responsibilities for preparation and response cut across normal lines of authority.
This is especially true when preparedness activities must be done, for the most part, within existing resources.
City and county officials must increasingly accept their share of the responsibility for preparedness, but commitment by State or Federal leaders is also essential.
Since the Nation faces a very probable earthquake in California sometime during the next 30 years, FEMA should provide the necessary leadership, management, and coordination required to strengthen planning and preparedness within the Federal Government, as delegated under the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program of 1977 and the Disaster Relief Act of 1974.
FEMA in strengthening Federal preparedness and hazard mitigation programs.
FEMA staff in California dedicated to the coordination of earthquake preparedness planning and implementation.
Improving the current inadequate preparedness of the public for a catastrophic earthquake requires a substantial increase in public information and public awareness.
In many agencies, earthquake preparedness has been accorded a low priority in their programs.