Hazard identification is a crucial step in disaster preparedness as it helps to systematically identify the types of hazards that might affect a community, along with their driving forces and typical effects. The purpose of hazard identification is to determine the likelihood of a disaster occurring, its intensity, and the scale and severity of the impact it may have on the people, property, environment, and economy of a community. By identifying potential hazards, communities can develop strategies to mitigate their impact and increase their resilience to disasters.

Risk assessments combine hazard information with information on human activity, structures, and natural resources to determine the likely impacts of a hazardous event. Vulnerability assessment refers to the estimation of the scale and severity of the hazards and their potential impact on the community. By conducting a hazard identification and vulnerability assessment, emergency managers can develop hazard preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation plans.

In summary, the purpose of hazard identification in disaster preparedness is to systematically identify potential hazards and assess their risk level to develop strategies to mitigate their impact and increase community resilience to disasters.