Among the four phases of the disaster management cycle (mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery), the preparedness phase focuses on planning how to respond for a disaster event. During this phase, governments, organizations, and individuals develop plans to save lives, minimize disaster damage, and strengthen disaster response operations. Preparedness measures include preparedness plans, emergency exercises/training, hazard warning systems, emergency communications systems, evacuation plans and training, resource inventories, emergency personnel/contact lists, mutual aid agreements, and public information/education. The goal of these preparedness measures is to achieve a satisfactory level of readiness to respond to a disaster through programs that enhance the technical and managerial capacity of governments, organizations, and communities. However, effectiveness of preparedness measures depend on the incorporation of appropriate measures in national and regional development ...