ACEFAC 2014 * Professor Jim McLennan, Adjunct Professor, La Trobe University
Dr Lyndsey Wright, Research Manager, Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre
2013 was one of the worst years for destructive bush fires in NSW. This is at a time when fire alerts have become an integral communication tool, social media reporting has exploded, and smart-phone apps have extensive take-up. The NSW Rural Fire Service places high importance on research to better understand resident understandings and actions around warnings and communications.
The Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) was engaged to coordinate a program of interviews with residents in the three worst affected fire areas, focusing on warnings and communications, understanding of fire danger ratings, property preparation, the experiences of people directly threatened including how residents found information, and what might have helped residents better manage their risk.