A historical term used to refer to "all activities and measures designed or undertaken for the following reasons: (a) to minimize the effects upon the civilian population caused by, or which would be caused by, an attack upon the United States or by a natural disaster; (b) to deal with the immediate emergency conditions which would be created by any such attack or natural disaster; and (c) to effectuate emergency repairs to, or the emergency restoration of, vital utilities and facilities destroyed or damaged by any such attack or natural disaster". (FEMA Higher Education Project)