@article {bnh-5616, title = {Australian householders{\textquoteright} psychological preparedness for potential natural hazard threats: An exploration of contributing factors}, journal = {International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction}, year = {2019}, month = {06/2019}, abstract = {

Considerable attention has been given by researchers to householders{\textquoteright} material, or physical, preparedness for impact of a severe natural hazard. Somewhat less attention has been paid to psychological preparedness for such an event. This paper first reviews conceptual formulations of psychological preparedness for disasters, and self-report measures of the construct. Previous research findings about correlates of psychological preparedness are discussed. We report findings from a survey of 1,253 Australian households. Scores on two psychological preparedness subscales (Knowledge and management, Anticipation and awareness) were correlated with scores on a measure of material preparedness. For both women and men, seven factors were found to be associated with both psychological and material preparedness: (a) information awareness about psychological preparedness, (b) previous emergency services training or experience, (c) previous experience of natural hazard threat, (d) higher mindfulness scores, (e) higher active engagement coping style scores, (f) low stress scores, and (g) low depression scores. It was concluded that important issues remain to be addressed about how householder psychological preparedness for disasters is best conceptualised, measured, and modified.

}, keywords = {Coping, disasters, Mindfulness, Natural hazards, Psychological preparedness, Stress}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2019.101203}, url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212420918310690}, author = {Danielle Every and Jim McLennan and Amy Reynolds and Trigg, Josh} } @article {bnh-5007, title = {Australian wildland-urban interface householders{\textquoteright} wildfire safety preparations: {\textquoteleft}Everyday life{\textquoteright} project priorities and perceptions of wildfire risk}, journal = {International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction}, year = {2018}, month = {10/2018}, abstract = {

Globally, many residents of wildland-urban interface (WUI) communities are at risk of wildfire attack but do not undertake adequate preparations. Householder wildfire risk perception has been proposed as an important influence on risk mitigation preparatory actions. However, research findings have been inconsistent. We conducted a meta-analysis of 10 studies and found the average correlation between wildfire risk perception and risk mitigation actions to be small: r = 0.17. In order to investigate wildfire risk perception and mitigation further we conducted two studies of Australian WUI householders{\textquoteright} wildfire risk perceptions and mitigation actions in the context of their everyday life activities conceptualised as {\textquoteleft}household projects{\textquoteright}. Study 1 involved 32 interviews. Both household wildfire safety project priority rankings (r = 0.47) and wildfire risk perception ratings (r = 0.44) were related significantly to number of completed wildfire preparation actions. Study 2 involved 127 householders completing an online survey, with 83 providing household wildfire safety project priority rankings. These rankings were related significantly to number of completed wildfire safety preparation actions (r = 0.38), but risk perception ratings were not related significantly (r = 0.08). Implications of viewing wildfire preparation actions as being situated in everyday life contexts are discussed.

}, keywords = {Bushfire, everyday life, personal projects, risk mitigation, WUI risk perception}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijdrr.2018.09.017}, url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212420918308719$\#$!}, author = {Christopher Bearman and Jim McLennan and Kubra Koksal and Danielle Every} } @article {bnh-3345, title = {On the concept of denial of natural hazard risk and its use in relation to householder wildfire safety in Australia}, journal = {International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction}, volume = {21}, year = {2017}, month = {03/2017}, pages = {176-186}, chapter = {176}, abstract = {

Denial has often been used to explain why some residents at risk from natural hazards do not take appropriate threat mitigation actions. However, there has been little critical discussion of the concept of denial in relation to natural hazards. We examined the origins and development of the concept and noted that denial, as an explanation for inaction, is an inferred construct, not an observable phenomenon. We reviewed accounts that proposed denial as an explanation for residents failing to mitigate their natural hazard risk. We concluded that the concept has been used so inconsistently as to be meaningless without an explanation of the intended sense of the term. We discuss findings from reports of post-event interviews with residents threatened by severe Australian wildfires, and from a survey of agency community safety senior managers. The reports indicated that small percentages of residents in high-risk communities could be described as perhaps being in denial. The survey found that none of the wildfire agencies employed the concept formally. We suggest that it may be more useful to view most householders{\textquoteright} failures to mitigate their wildfire risk as resulting from potential threats being entwined with more immediate higher priority competing demands of everyday life.

}, doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2016.12.006}, url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212420916306720}, author = {Jim McLennan and Danielle Every and Christopher Bearman and Wright, Lyndsey} } @article {bnh-2486, title = {Capturing community experiences in the 2015 Sampson Flat fire}, number = {154}, year = {2016}, month = {01/2016}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

The Sampson Flat fire in January 2015 was the most destructive fire in the Adelaide Hills for more than 30 years, burning 12,569 hectares of public and private lands with losses including 24 homes, 146 other structures, 5 businesses and much livestock and fencing.

Following this fire, the CFS commissioned the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC to undertake research on the community{\textquoteright}s bushfire experience focusing on bushfire safety, the CFS Community Fire Safe program and information and warnings. Researchers from\ CQUniversity completed the research.

The research used both quantitative data from online and telephone surveys, and qualitative data from face-to-face or telephone interviews. Participants from fire affected and fire threatened areas were recruited by the CFS through their electronic and community networks. The research identified a number of positive findings in terms of messaging, bushfire awareness and safety, which are outlined in the introduction of the report.

The report is split into four parts. Parts one, two and three detail sub-project{\textquoteright}s within the larger project, while the appendices make up the fouth part.

}, isbn = {978-0-9941696-6-2}, author = {Danielle Every and Amy Reynolds and Larissa Clarkson and Christopher Bearman and Raymond Matthews and Laura Haigh and Drew Dawson} } @article {bnh-3411, title = {Conflicting perspectives on nonhuman animal rescues in natural disasters}, journal = {Society \& Animals}, volume = {24}, year = {2016}, month = {2016}, pages = {358-382}, chapter = {358}, abstract = {

Nonhuman animal guardians are more at risk during natural disasters because they are likely to delay or refuse evacuation and return to evacuated disaster sites to rescue animals. Research on the human-animal bond (HAB) views animal guardians{\textquoteright} actions as a reflection of a strong attachment. However, in addition to guardians, disaster planners, rescue personnel, and other community members influence which animals are saved and how. As Irvine (2009) noted, the way people and institutions think about different animals precedes which animals are included in disaster efforts, and when and how these animals are included. This paper considers how media articles on animal rescues use moral evaluations of animals to justify or challenge people{\textquoteright}s actions in saving or not saving animals. We found that the multiple moral evaluations of animals and animal rescue were a source of misunderstanding and conflict during and after a disaster.

}, doi = {10.1163/15685306-12341417}, url = {http://booksandjournals.brillonline.com/content/journals/10.1163/15685306-12341417}, author = {Danielle Every and Clemence Due and Kirrilly Thompson and Jillian Ryan} } @article {bnh-3231, title = {Contacts versus connectors: The role of Community Fire Safe Group coordinators in achieving positive bushfire safety outcomes}, journal = { International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction}, volume = {19}, year = {2016}, month = {10/2016}, abstract = {

Shared responsibility for bushfire preparedness includes self-reliant communities with the skills, knowledge and ability to minimize the impacts of bushfires on their homes, properties and community. Community preparedness groups are a potentially effective way to achieve this self-reliance. Previous research shows that these groups increase people{\textquoteright}s knowledge and awareness of risk, their planning and preparations, and community cohesion and collaboration. However, these are not outcomes for all groups in all places. Groups face a perennial problem of low participation and {\textquoteleft}buy in{\textquoteright} from the local area due in part to individual differences in the desire to be part of a group, low levels of risk awareness, community turbidity, and low social capital. This paper proposes that the skills and characteristics of the group coordinator in responding to and overcoming these challenges are key to a group{\textquoteright}s longevity, collaboration and success. Using interviews and a survey with Community Fire Safe group coordinators and members affected by the 2015 Sampson Flat fire in South Australia, we found the key elements of successful coordination were active outreach to existing neighbourhood residents, newcomers and those {\textquoteleft}not into groups{\textquoteright} using face to face and personalized communication adapted for different people{\textquoteright}s needs. This active, determined persistence in communicating bushfire safety was motivated by an understanding that low interest can be overcome and that overcoming it is the key role of the group coordinator. Training for coordinators in the individual and group processes underpinning behavior change, in personalized communication, and adapting materials for diverse groups is likely to improve group outcomes.

}, doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2016.09.012}, url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212420916303120}, author = {Danielle Every and Christopher Bearman and Raymond Matthews and Amy Reynolds and Peta O{\textquoteright}Donohue and Larissa Clarkson} } @article {bnh-3185, title = {Homelessness and severe storms: a case study of the June 2016 East Coast Low}, number = {238}, year = {2016}, month = {10/2016}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, type = {Report}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

Historically, emergency planning for severe weather and natural disasters has focused on the housed population. However, people who do not have a house {\textendash} people rough sleeping, living in their cars, couchsurfing or staying in shelters {\textendash} are uniquely impacted by severe weather. There is as yet no Australian research documenting the homeless community{\textquoteright}s preparation for, response to and recovery from an event like the 2016 East Coast storms and floods that can be drawn on for emergency planning. Using interviews with homeless service providers and clients, this research documents the homeless community{\textquoteright}s experience of those storms in two locations. Interviews highlighted that long-term wet weather is felt to have the greatest impact on people{\textquoteright}s physical and mental health and on services{\textquoteright} ability to provide bedding and shelter. The main impacts were loss of temporary dwellings, bedding and possessions, anxiety and isolation, and ability to look after pets when evacuated.\  Evacuation shelters were heavily relied upon by those experiencing homelessness and people presenting here required medical and psychological for mental health issues and substance use withdrawals and also areas for pets. However, existing homeless services are already under-resourced, and many struggled to provide the extra support needed during and after the storms. Few services report having a relationship with emergency services, and in some areas any potential relationship was complicated by broader punitive policies and misperceptions about homelessness. A framework for increasing the resilience of the homeless community includes creating mutually beneficial relationships between emergency and homeless services that could facilitate greater understanding of homelessness and natural hazards.\ 

}, issn = {238}, author = {Danielle Every} } @conference {bnh-2941, title = {"I think I{\textquoteright}m going to be frightened out of my wits" psychological preparedness and vulnerability: insights from the Sampson Flat fire}, booktitle = {AFAC16}, year = {2016}, month = {08/2016}, publisher = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, organization = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Brisbane}, abstract = {

Bushfires and other natural disasters are becoming increasingly frequent and more severe. Australian bushfire projections suggest that by 2020 the number of days classified as {\textquoteleft}very extreme{\textquoteright} bushfire risk will double and by 2050 there may be as high as a four- to five-fold increase in frequency compared to data from 1990 (Lucas, Hennessy, Mills \& Bathols, 2007).


Research into preparedness, therefore, is increasingly important. Preparedness commonly refers to actions taken to protect oneself, one{\textquoteright}s family and property. For bushfires, this typically involves material preparedness, such as creating a cleared area and the house and having battery-operated communication devices. This kind of physical preparation also involves developing a bushfire plan (e.g. to stay or leave early; how to look after pets in a fire) and acquiring greater knowledge and understanding about bushfires and bushfire risk. However, a growing body of research identifies psychological preparedness as an important factor in natural disaster preparedness.

}, author = {Danielle Every} } @conference {bnh-2083, title = {"We{\textquoteright}ve got trouble getting around but we{\textquoteright}re still alright": disability identities and the implications for bushfire planning - non peer reviewed extended abstract}, booktitle = {Adelaide Conference 2015}, year = {2015}, address = {Adelaide, Australia}, abstract = {

Research proceedings from the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC \& AFAC Conference in Adelaide, 1-3 September 2015.\ 

}, author = {Danielle Every} }