The Autumn 2016 edition of Fire Australia magazine is now available featuring the latest research and developments that are aiding the fire, emergency services and land management sectors. Mitigating disasters, advanced flood forecasting technology and several case studies that assist policy and planning and bushfire preparedness are all key topics of this edition.
The magazine, a joint publication between the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, AFAC and the Fire Protection Association Australia, offers a quarterly update on the latest news, developments, research and technical information for the industry.
Featured in this edition is Mitigating disasters: the inconvenient truth, an opinion piece penned by CRC Chief Executive Officer Dr Richard Thornton advocating for switching the focus in emergency management to mitigation strategies. Fuel-reduction burns, developing better infrastructure such as dams and levees as well as retrofitting existing housing structures are all ways in which we can reduce the impacts of disasters says Dr Thornton.
Research into new flood forecasting technology that uses remote sensing data is a highlight of this edition in Remote sensing flood data is filling the gaps. The article explores how combining satellite remotely sensed data with on-the-ground data will improve the accuracy of flood forecasting.
The social life of science in policy and planning examines the complex relationship between bushfire science and policy and planning. CRC Researcher, Dr Timothy Neale, uses a variety of case studies to highlight the way that scientific knowledge is changing how natural hazard risk is mitigated.
Bushfire CRC research is showcased in two separate case studies. The first, DFES pilots bushfire preparedness tool, offers an insight into a new survey tool that helps households check how well prepared they are to meet their bushfire safety goals.
The second case study, Using research? Learning from experience, explores how a tool to channel social networks for resilience building initiatives made its way from research to practice in diverse, hazard-prone communities across Australia. The article features first-hand observations from researchers and end-users about what was needed for successful utilisation to occur.