Define a catastrophe in the context of an emergency.

A catastrophe in the context of an emergency refers to a sudden and widespread disaster or event that causes significant damage, destruction, and loss of life. This could include natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, or wildfires, as well as man-made disasters such as terrorist attacks or industrial accidents. Catastrophes often overwhelm emergency response systems and require a coordinated and rapid response to mitigate the impact and save lives.

Catastrophe in the context of an emergency refers to:

- A sudden and catastrophic event that causes widespread destruction, loss of life, and disruption to infrastructure and services.
- A major disaster that overwhelms local and regional resources, requiring external assistance to respond and recover.
- A situation that exceeds the capacity of existing emergency response systems to manage effectively, often involving multiple jurisdictions, sectors, and levels of government.
- An event that triggers extraordinary measures, such as declarations of emergencies or disasters, activation of national response plans, and mobilization of international aid.
- A crisis that poses significant threats to public safety, health, and the environment, requiring urgent action and coordination among multiple stakeholders.