This targeted outcome includes the
following projects: understanding communities, bushfire arson,
effective risk communication, evaluation of stay or go policy and
the evaluation of community education programs. The research
adoption phase of this research will see the development of a
conceptual model that will enable agencies to evaluate the
appropriateness of their various education and intervention
strategies. The model will primarily be in the form a
synthesis of a broad range of related research. This synthesis will
provide an evidence-base for agencies that will support the ongoing
development of their approaches to community safety.
1. Evaluating ‘Stay or Go’
- TBA
Research has
demonstrated that a well-prepared house can provide protection for
people from fire, and that the presence of people prepared and able
to defend a property is the most significant factor in determining
its survival.
Workshop participants will have the
opportunity to hear an update on the latest ’Stay and Defend
or Leave Early‘ research, and to hear from agency
representatives as to how the policy has been implemented to date.
Discussion will focus on working through impediments to the
successful implementation of the policy and, as appropriate, on
formulating recommended amendments to the existing
policy/guidelines.
2. Bushfire Arson - February 2009
This invitation-only,
industry-based forum will enable participants to build a better
understanding of the impact of the research on industry operations.
It will also, as appropriate, identify future research
directions.
3. Workshops
3.1 Community Safety and Engagement
Update – September 2009
In this pre-conference workshop,
participants will be provided with an update on several recent
projects that were designed to enhance community safety during
bushfires. Examples of various steps agencies have taken / can take
to inform and engage the community will be outlined and
discussed.
3.2 Community Education Evaluation
Workshop – TBA
Participants will learn about the
comprehensive research analysis that has been undertaken of current
bushfire-related ‘Community Education Programs’ and how
their effectiveness was evaluated. Participants will learn
how to evaluate the effectiveness of their own agencies’
community safety and education programs and how to improve future
education programs.
3.3 Arson – TBA
This workshop will provide
participants with an overview of the findings of research that
investigated the number, size and distribution of potentially
illegal fires lit in vegetation in Australia in recent years.
Participants will discuss how the findings can better inform fire
investigation, planning and implementation and how they can lead to
a better targeting of resources for ignition reduction education
programs. Actions agencies can take to minimise the number of
unwanted ignitions will also be discussed.
4. Fire Notes
11
Fire Notes have been published (to right). A further 17
Fire Notes have been identified for production. It is
anticipated that these will be completed over the next 18
months.
5. Postgraduate Theses
One
Doctoral and three Masters postgraduate studies have been
completed. A further ten Doctoral studies are still
underway. A list of students and thesis topics is located at
www.bushfirecrc.com
6. Specific Products
A Book on the integration of Community
Safety and Engagement and Protecting Firefighters is due for
completion in August.
