Final answer:
The correct answer is option B. a little.
Step-by-step explanation:
The risk management model typically used by emergency responders and similar professionals implies that there will be a willingness to take on risks proportional to the chance of saving lives. In the context of the risk management model described, the correct answer to the student's question is B. a little.
This answer aligns with the concept of asymmetric risk, where the priority is to minimize risks while maximizing the potential for saving lives when they are deemed savable. This is akin to opting for Plan B in Figure 20.1, where the cost of proactivity (risking lives a little) is significantly less than the catastrophic result of inaction when a life could have been saved.
As detailed in the rationale of the book mentioned, taking action on potentially catastrophic threats, no matter how unlikely, is a prudent course because the alternative could mean a 'game over' scenario. This approach is similar to the philosophy behind purchasing insurance, where people protect themselves against low-probability, high-impact events.