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Community-based preparedness programmes and the 2009 Australian bushfires: policy implications derived from applying
Colin MacDougall1, Lisa Gibbs, Rachel Clark
1Associate Professor at the Discipline of Public Health and Southgate Institute for Health, Society and Equity, Flinders University, and a Principal Fellow (Honorary) at the Jack Brockhoff Child Health and Wellbeing Program, McCaughey VicHealth Centre for Community Wellbeing, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
Disasters
|March 8, 2014
Summary
Community Fireguard (CFG) programs enhance fire preparedness through social connections. However, ensuring equitable reach to vulnerable areas requires innovative strategies for broader community fire safety.
Area of Science:
- Community resilience and disaster preparedness
- Social capital and public health interventions
- Bushfire risk management and mitigation
Background:
- The Victorian Country Fire Authority's Community Fireguard (CFG) program aims to improve community and individual fire preparedness.
- The 2009 Australian bushfires highlighted the need to evaluate existing community-based fire safety initiatives.
- Understanding the social dynamics within community groups is crucial for effective disaster response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To qualitatively assess the impact of CFG groups on members' fire preparedness and response during the 2009 bushfires.
- To explore the role of social connectedness and social capital within the CFG program.
- To examine program reach and identify areas for improvement using innovation diffusion theory.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative research methodology.
- Thematic analysis of data to identify key factors influencing fire preparedness.
- Application of social capital theory and diffusion of innovation theory.
Main Results:
- Social connectedness was a significant factor in enhancing members' fire preparedness and response.
- Community-driven innovation was a key strength of the CFG program.
- Concerns were raised about the program's equitable coverage of vulnerable populations.
Conclusions:
- Social capital significantly bolsters community fire preparedness and response effectiveness.
- Strategies for community fire preparedness must consider equitable reach and the diffusion of innovations to all segments of the population.
- Two distinct models for future community fire preparedness programs were developed based on theoretical insights.
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