What is the first step of the risk management process?

The first step of the risk management process is situational awareness. This step involves the ability to perceive and understand the environment in which firefighters operate. It requires firefighters to recognize the dynamic nature of wildland fire behavior, weather conditions, topography, and potential hazards. By maintaining situational awareness, firefighters can identify risks and make informed decisions throughout the firefighting operation.

Building situational awareness sets the foundation for effective risk management because it informs subsequent steps, such as hazard assessment and decision-making. Without a clear understanding of the current situation, assessing hazards or evaluating potential actions is challenging, if not impossible. Thus, situational awareness is crucial for ensuring safety and effectiveness in wildland firefighting.