(1) Levels of Capability. Preparedness is implemented through a continuous cycle of planning, training, equipping, exercising, evaluating, and taking action to correct and mitigate. Within the NIMS, preparedness focuses on guidelines, protocols, and standards for planning, training, personnel qualification and certification, equipment certification, and publication management. (2) A Unified Approach. Preparedness requires a unified approach. A major objective of preparedness efforts is to ensure mission integration and interoperability in response to emergency crises across functional and jurisdictional lines, as well as between public and private organizations. (3) NIMS Publications. The NIMS provides or established processes for providing guidelines; protocols; standards for planning, training, qualifications and certification; and publication management... (4) Mitigation. Examples of key mitigation activities include the following: (4.a) Ongoing public education and outreach activities designed to reduce loss of life and destruction of property; (4.b) Structural retrofitting to deter or lessen the effects of incidents and reduce loss of life, destruction of property, and effects on the environment; (4.c) Code enforcement through such activities as zoning regulation, land management, and building codes; and (4.d) Flood insurance and the buy-out of properties subjected to frequent flooding, etc. (DHS, NIMS, 2004, pp. 33-34)