PUBLICATIONS
Published works
Community Understanding and Awareness of Bushfire Safety: October 2013 Bushfires - Part 1
Title | Community Understanding and Awareness of Bushfire Safety: October 2013 Bushfires - Part 1 |
Publication Type | Report |
Year of Publication | 2014 |
Authors | McLennan, J, Wright, L, Birch, A |
ISBN Number | 978-0-9925027-3-7 |
Abstract | The calendar year 2013 was one of the worst on record for destructive bushfires in NSW. In January, fires swept across numerous areas, destroying more than 50 homes. Then in October, bushfires again threatened many communities, with more than 200 homes lost. Following both of these bushfire events, NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) asked the Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) to: (a) coordinate a program of interviews with residents in three seriously affected areas; and (b) commission an online survey of residents in the same affected areas. The purpose was to assist the organisation to learn as much as possible about residents’ prior understandings of bushfire risk and their experiences during the fires, thus contributing to improved community safety for the future. For this study NSW RFS identified three areas that had been impacted by significant bushfire events during October 2013: (i) greater Blue Mountains (including locations at Bell, Clarence, Dargan, Lithgow, Mount Irvine; Mount Victoria; Faulconbridge, Springwood, Winmalee, Yellow Rock)— significant fire activity 16 October–13 November; (ii) Port Stephens (including locations at Medowie, Raymond Terrace, Tomago, Williamtown; Salt Ash)—significant fire activity 13–23 October; and (iii) Wingecarribee Shire (including locations at Balmoral Village, Colo Vale, Yanderra, Yerrinbool)— significant fire activity 17–24 October. |