Which of the following is an example of what would be done in the preparedness step in disaster planning?

• A. Installing fire extinguishers
• B. Installing locks on all the doors
• C. Regularly backing up important computer files
• D. Purchasing insurance for the facility

Answer: (A)

Preparedness in disaster planning means putting in place actions and equipment that reduce harm and enable a quick, effective response before a disaster occurs. Installing fire extinguishers is a ready-to-use safety measure that directly lowers the risk of fire damage and can be activated immediately by staff during an incident, which is exactly the kind of proactive step preparedness calls for. The other options align with different aspects of risk management or response phases: securing doors is more about security and access control; regularly backing up important computer files relates to disaster recovery and business continuity planning, not the immediate readiness actions for a hazard; purchasing insurance is risk transfer and financial protection rather than an on-site readiness action.