The four guiding principles of the National Mitigation Framework are "Resilience and Sustainability, Leadership and Locally Focused Implementation, Engaged Partnerships and Inclusiveness, and a Shared Risk-conscious Culture." These principles "lay the foundation for the Mitigation mission area and the execution of its core capabilities."

The National Mitigation Framework is a document prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which is a part of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The document describes the importance of being prepared for risks such as natural disasters and suggests appropriate actions that can be taken to reduce those risks. It emphasizes a "culture of preparedness" involving community solidarity "to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters."

According to the document, Resilience involves preparations so that "people, property, critical infrastructure resources, and the economy" will be able to withstand and recover from a disaster. Sustainability involves long-term actions that can be taken to reduce vulnerability.

Leadership and Locally Focused Implementation has to do with the decisions and actions of leaders at "state, tribal, territorial, insular area, and Federal levels" to ensure resilience and sustainability in communities.

Engaged Partnerships and Inclusiveness refers to efforts to include various groups in partnerships for risk reduction. These groups consist of "all levels of government, faith-based organizations, nonprofit organizations, private/corporate entities, advocacy groups, community associations, academia, professional groups, and neighbors."

A Shared Risk-conscious Culture is based upon the assumption that disasters will inevitably happen and that it is everyone's responsibility to assist in preparations so that these risks can be appropriately responded to when necessary.