• Making Sure Collective Thought Occurs Around Planning

Making Sure Collective Thought Occurs Around Planning

Christine Eriksen
Research Fellow
University of Wollongong

A recent Australia-wide survey of householder bush fire preparedness showed that only 13 percent had a written bush fire action plan that had been discussed with other household members. This is a worrying trend given the emphasis both emergency services and in-depth studies place on the importance of residents having a written plan that has been both discussed and practiced.
It is not the written plan per se that is important, but the collective act of making the plan. Many individual interpretations of preparedness messages are found to not align with the official outlined intent. Social cohesion supports both the adoption of mechanical preparations and the development of cognitive abilities that together enhance physical and mental resilience to bush fire.