Preparing to Play With Fire: Exploring Bushfire Preparedness and Risk Communication Among University Students in...

With extreme weather events expected to increase due to climate change, it is essential to understand bushfire preparedness among young adults in Australia, who often risk their safety by driving through bushfire-risk areas when travelling in summer. The current study investigates the knowledge of bushfire risk management and preparedness among university students in Australia.

One hundred and forty-eight university students participated in an online survey with closed questions. The data was analysed in SPSS by conducting a descriptive analysis and χ² test between those who have and those who do not have experience with bushfire evacuations.

Over half of respondents who currently live or have lived in a bushfire risk area do not have a written bushfire response plan. Although most respondents reported that they had previously learned about the risk of bushfires in Australia, less than 20% knew the Australian emergency contact number, triple 0 for bushfires. A majority of those who experienced an evacuation fully understood the fire severity scale sign, but only half of those who had not experienced an evacuation fully understood the sign. SO WHAT?: Relevant authorities and Australian universities could consider these findings and provide university students with appropriate information to prepare them for future bushfires.