ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on emergency preparedness and emergency response. Emergency preparedness describes the process of determining actions that enable response to occur in a competent manner during an emergency situation. Emergency preparedness seems straightforward enough when approached in the literal sense; however, experience time and again has shown that this is a complex undertaking. Emergency preparedness involves more than technical considerations. Emergency preparedness can cover very broad situations and circumstances. Emergency preparedness is contingent on having the appropriate equipment that is needed for the emergency when it occurs. Accidents provoke response from agencies and parties affected either directly or indirectly by the situation. The major reason for which emergency response at a confined space is required is to mitigate injuries that have occurred as the result of an accident. Post-accident conditions in the space have a controlling impact on the nature of the response.
