@article {bnh-2276, title = {Emerging technologies for risk reduction: assessing the potential use of social media and VGI for increasing community engagement}, journal = {Australian Journal of Emergency Management}, volume = {30}, year = {2015}, month = {10/2015}, abstract = {

Each year Australia is prone to potential negative and devastating impacts of bushfires and other natural hazards, highlighting the importance of community engagement in disaster risk reduction. Volunteered geographic information (VGI) is an emerging technology that allows members of the public to voluntarily contribute geographic information, predominantly through sources such as social media, photo and video sharing platforms, and online map-making software. The potential role of VGI in disaster response has been documented in recent years, but VGI for community preparation has received less attention. This research explores the potential role for VGI to foster community engagement in bushfire preparation and to empower and build disaster resilience for Tasmanians. Through collaboration with the Tasmania Fire Service, a survey of 154 participants across 12 communities at bushfire risk in Tasmania has quantified trends in individual and community preparedness and VGI and social media use. This paper provides an evidence base for both the use of VGI technologies in bushfire preparation initiatives and directions for further research.

}, url = {https://ajem.infoservices.com.au/items/AJEM-30-03-10}, author = {Haworth, B and Eleanor Bruce and Peter Middleton} }