- Title:
-
Tell 'em They're Dreamin': Is 'Stay Or Go' a good policy response to the wildfire risk?
- Date:
- September 2008
- Organisations
- AFAC 2008 Conference
- Authors:
- A. Rhodes
- Location:
- Australia, Australia
Overview
The International Bushfire Research Conference 2008 - incorporating The 15th annual AFAC Conference, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
A central element of current approaches to managing the wildfire risk in Australia is the notion of shared responsibilty between the fire agencies and the community. From this perspective, particuarly in in major wildfires, agencies acknowledge they are unable to guarantee protection. Consequently, public safety in is in part seen to depend on the community having an understanding of the risk and taking appropriate action. This perspective underpins the 'stay or go' position, which places the onus on the public for deciding how they will respond to the wildfire risk.
The 'stay or go' advice is soundly based on research about the hazard and its impacts. However, recent research on the human dimensions of 'stay or go' highlights major challenges in implementing the approach. These challenges include the different understanding of the options by many residents, the variable and often innapropriate levels of preparation, the lack of comprehensive planning by residents and the difficulties of providing accurate and specific information during fires. These issues exist despite various public education and engagement activities to promote the 'stay or go' advice.
The presentation provides an overview of the evidence that suggests that a significant proportion of those at risk are unwilling or unable to adopt the advice or implement it effectively, and that the advice may be innappropriate in some circumstances.
The evidence raises major issues for fire agencies about the 'stay or go' position. Agencies need to better understand what they are asking the community to do and find new ways to address community needs. A significant question also arises - Are the agencies doing enough to support the community safety approach or is a partnership with the community just "dreamin'"?
