Which phase follows the immediate response to an incident and focuses on the return to normalcy?

The phase that follows the immediate response to an incident and emphasizes the return to normalcy is the recovery phase. During recovery, efforts are concentrated on restoring the affected community or area to pre-incident conditions or better. This includes not only rebuilding infrastructure and homes but also addressing the emotional and psychological needs of the affected individuals.

Recovery involves assessing the damages, prioritizing needs, and mobilizing resources and support systems to help individuals and communities bounce back. It can take considerable time and resources, reflecting the complexity of restoring daily life after a significant disruption. In contrast, the other phases are more focused on preparation for incidents, mitigation to reduce future risk, and the immediate response to incidents, rather than the longer-term objective of restoring normalcy.