Which step in the risk management process focuses on estimating potential fire behavior hazards?

The step in the risk management process that focuses on estimating potential fire behavior hazards is Hazard Assessment. This phase is critical because it involves the identification and evaluation of risks associated with fire behavior, such as the fuels present, weather conditions, topography, and fire history. By thoroughly assessing these hazards, responders can predict how a fire might behave under certain conditions, which in turn informs strategic planning and resource allocation during an emergency.

In Hazard Assessment, the understanding of potential fire behavior informs both tactical and strategic decisions. It helps teams prioritize which areas to protect, how to deploy resources efficiently, and how to communicate risk to the community and other stakeholders.

Other steps in the risk management process, such as Situation Awareness, Decision Point, and Hazard Control, serve different functions. Situation Awareness emphasizes understanding the current environment and the dynamics of the incident, Decision Point is focused on making informed choices based on available data and assessments, and Hazard Control deals with the implementation of measures to mitigate identified hazards. Therefore, Hazard Assessment is specifically dedicated to estimating and understanding potential fire behavior hazards.