Recovery - a statement on research priorities for natural hazards emergency management in Australia

Throughout 2015-2017, emergency service agencies around Australia participated in workshops hosted by the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC to consider the major issues in natural hazards emergency management.

This publication on recovery summarises the outcomes of one of these workshops and poses questions as a guide for a national research agenda in natural hazard emergency management.

Recent experience of governments and agencies in the aftermath of a number of large- scale disasters has encouraged the Australian government to significantly evolve and elevate recovery to a core function that involves all agencies in the emergency management sector, and as a consequence invest more research and funds.

The former Australian Emergency Management Institute (AEMI) defines recovery as:

“the coordinated process of supporting affected communities in the reconstruction of the built environment and the restoration of emotional, social, economic, built and natural environment wellbeing. Recovery is more than simply the replacement of what has been destroyed and the rehabilitation of those affected. It is a complex social and developmental process. Recovery provides an opportunity to improve aspects beyond previous conditions by enhancing social infrastructure, natural and built environments, and economies.

The manner in which recovery processes are undertaken is critical to their success. Recovery is best achieved when the affected community is able to exercise a high degree of self-determination. Well-designed communication plans are also critical to the success of an affected community’s self-determination.”

While recovery is less mature in terms of research and practice than other areas of emergency management, it is just as important that recovery policy and practice is based on robust evidence. Yet governments, jurisdictions and organisations still do not fully understand:

• the long- term impacts of disasters on individuals and communities
• community led recovery, including the enablers, barriers and strengths and limitations
• the recovery workforce
• the cumulative impacts of disasters on communities
• resilience and vulnerability.

Further research in these areas will develop a robust evidence base to support government and agencies develop sound recovery policy and programs.