Which of the following is NOT a prevention or decrease technique?

• A. Stay-put policy
• B. Curfews
• C. Controlled Evacuations
• D. Blocking

Answer: (D)

The concept being tested is how civilian protection actions reduce risk versus actions that merely restrict movement. A stay-put policy, curfews, and controlled evacuations are all protective measures designed to limit civilian exposure to danger and to manage risk or hazards in an orderly way. Staying in secure shelters reduces direct harm from threats, curfews limit risky nighttime activities and crowding, and controlled evacuations move people away from danger in a planned, safer sequence. Blocking, on the other hand, does not reduce risk; it restricts or prevents movement, potentially trapping people, hindering access to aid, and complicating humanitarian relief. It’s a restrictive action rather than a protective, risk-reducing tactic, so it is not considered a prevention or decrease technique.