Student researcher

Dr Fiona Jennings Research Leader

The study aimed to explore community members' experiences of ‘community-led’ recovery following the 2013 Forcett bushfire in Tasmania. The research purpose was to examine community members’ experiences of non-traditional emergency volunteering, identify how volunteering contributes to building community resilience and develop new ways the emergency management sector can support and engage with this group of volunteers and volunteering organisations. A case study research approach invited participants to participate on the basis of their informal and formal helping role. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews to identify the activities, roles, actions, motivation and meaning of volunteering, during and after emergencies.

As a former resident of Dunalley herself, which was severely impacted by the fire, Dr Fiona Jennings' PhD offers an understanding of how people directly affected respond in a bushfire disaster. The study's findings illustrate a pragmatic view of community resilience, volunteering, and disaster recovery, and offer new ways the emergency management sector can support and engage with community volunteers and volunteering organisations.

This project was completed in March 2018.

Year Type Citation
2020 Journal Article Jennings, F. Navigating Uncertainty: community experiences of bushfire. Australian Journal of Emergency Management 31, 54-59 (2020).
2018 Thesis Jennings, F. Navigating Uncertainty: a qualitative study of resident involvement in the 2013 Forcett Tasmania bushfire disaster. Science Doctor of Philosophy, (2018).
2017 Conference Paper Rumsewicz, M. Research proceedings from the 2017 Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC and AFAC Conference. Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC & AFAC annual conference 2017 (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, 2017).
2017 Conference Paper Jennings, F. A community's experience of bushfire response and recovery. AFAC17 (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, 2017).
Community-led recovery in the context of emergencies and disaster
18 Aug 2015
Disaster resilient communities and their resourcefulness to approach and respond in natural hazard events,...
Navigating a bushfire disaster: 'ways of knowing'
30 Jun 2017
This study aims to understand a community's experience of the 2013 Forcett bushfire disaster in southeast...
A qualitative study of resident involvement in the 2013 Forcett Tasmania bushfire disaster
18 Sep 2018
Friday 4 January 2013 was one of the most significant fire days in Tasmania since 1967. The fire threatened...
27 Aug 2019
Navigating Uncertainty 2013 Forcett Tasmania bushfire disaster