What is involved in the identification step of the planning process?

The identification step of the planning process focuses on recognizing and defining the key issues or problems that need to be addressed. By determining major fire problems, the safety educator can prioritize efforts and allocate resources effectively. This foundational step sets the stage for subsequent phases of the planning process, allowing for a targeted approach to fire safety education and interventions. Identifying these major issues may involve considering local statistics, historical incidents, and community-specific risks, which informs future planning efforts and ensures that the initiatives developed will be relevant and impactful.

In contrast, while improving program content, evaluating previous incidents, and choosing team members are important components of the overall planning process, they do not specifically fall within the scope of the identification step. These activities would typically follow after the identification phase, as they build upon the understanding of the problems identified to create effective strategies and actions.