The aim of disaster prevention and mitigation is to reduce or/and eliminate the impacts and risks that hazards may have. The main focus is on saving lives, protecting property and the economy as well as preserving the environment. The emergency management in Iceland has an all hazard approach and deals with all risks both man-made and natural. Mitigation measures include both structural and non-structural activities.

Risk assessments identify, analyze and estimate potential risks in Iceland. In a systematic way risks are evaluated in terms of consequences and likelihood as well as the potential impact they could have.

Emergency Management preparedness includes response planning for disasters, mitigation measures for all hazards, training for responders and exercising the response plans.