Experiences of locals and tourists needed to improve NSW bushfire safety

A new research project is seeking to learn from the experiences of those affected by bushfires across New South Wales in 2019/20 to assist the New South Wales Rural Fire Service continue to improve its warnings, education and community preparedness and responses to bushfire.

Conducted by the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC and the University of Wollongong for the NSW Rural Fire Service, researchers want to hear directly from residents about their fire preparedness and experiences. Register your interest in participating here.

Lead researcher Dr Josh Whittaker said the views of anyone who was affected by the fires are important, including residents and tourists from all parts of NSW.

“Your experience is unique and can help make a difference during future bushfires. We’d like to better understand bushfire risk and awareness, actions you may have taken to plan and prepare, and how you responded to warnings and the bushfires, whether you were directly or indirectly affected,” Dr Whittaker said.

Due to COVID-19 interviews will be conducted either via phone, or videoconfering ( e.g. Zoom, Skype), and take between 45 minutes and an hour to complete. Researchers are available after hours and on weekends. If you would like to arrange an interview, or have any questions about the research, you can register your interest in an interview via this form. 

The research is being undertaken in communities right across NSW - Batemans Bay, Malua Bay and Mogo; Bega Valley; Eurobodalla; Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains; Lithgow; Mid North Coast; Northern Tablelands; Shoalhaven; Snowy Monaro; Snowy Valleys; and the Southern Highlands and Wollondilly. The experiences of tourists in any of these areas during the bushfires is also important.

The results of the research will be used to inform strategies to improve community bushfire safety in NSW.

Results from the research will be available on this website once the study is complete. A donation to support this research from Jefferies Financial Group to the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC is gratefully acknowledged.