Enhancing teamwork and research utilisation

Issue Two of Fire Australia for 2018 includes stories on two tools that are resolving breakdowns in teamwork, the findings from three catastrophic bushfires in NSW and a showcase of the latest CRC research that is resulting in real world outcomes for our partners.

In the aftermath of some of the worst ever bushfire conditions forecast for NSW, research commissioned by the NSW Rural Fire Service has discovered how people accessed information and how fire danger ratings are understood. Dr Josh Whitaker and Dr Mel Taylor interviewed residents from three bushfire-affeccted areas across January and February 2017, which is assisting RFS with implementing better processes regarding the accessibility and clarity of information surrounding bushfire warnings.

Incident management controllers face extensive periods of stress and pressure but Dr Chris Bearman and the team from the Improving decision-making in complex multi-team environments project have developed two checklists to aid emergency managers when there a breakdown in teamwork and communication. The Emergency Management Breakdown Aide Memoire and the Team Process Checklist are two simple checklists that are assisting emergency management teams before, after and during an emergency. The checklists have been used by three emergency service agencies in Australia.

The project team have also provided valuable guidance and tools to help coaches and team leaders better understand the teamwork dynamics important for effective incident management team functioning. The Coaching and mentoring for incident management teams-research insights for good practice has been developed by AFAC to enhance group dynamics. Read more about the scheme and how it is providing a more formal approach to current mentoring programs in emergency management teams.

This edition also features an insight on four CRC research utilisation case studies. These case studies are providing real world outcomes for our partners, stakeholders and end-users. Learn all about how our science is making a difference in cyclone mitigation, risk ownership, resilience modelling and  carbon abatement.

Fire Australia is a joint publication of the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, AFAC and the Fire Protection Association Australia. Find this and previous editions of Fire Australia at www.bnhcrc.com.au/news/fire-australia.