"Under NIMS, Preparedness encompasses the full range of deliberate, critical tasks and activities necessary to build, sustain and improve the operational capability to prevent, protect against, respond to and recover from domestic incidents. Preparedness, in the context of an actual or potential incident, involves actions to enhance readiness and minimize impacts. This includes hazard mitigation measures to save lives and protect property from the impacts of terrorism, natural disasters and other events. Additional examples of preparedness activities include: (1) Pre-deployment of response resources; (2) Pre-establishment of incident command posts, mobilization centers, staging areas and other facilities; (3) Evacuation and protective sheltering; (4) Implementation structural and non-structural mitigation measures; (5) Use of remote sensing technology, risk assessment, predictive and plume modeling tools; (6) Private sector implementation of business and continuity of operations plans". (DHS, National Response Plan (Draft #1), February 25, 2004, pp. 15-16; DHS, National Incident Management System, March 1, 2004, p. 146)