[F13] Developing and validating self-assessment scales for measuring community preparedness in response to flood and bushfire emergencies
Conference Bldg 2F - Sakura Hall
| Affiliation | Research Centre for Integrated Transport Innovation (rCITI) |
|---|---|
| Presenter | Fazeli Sara |
Keywords
- Community preparedness
- Scale validation,
- Flood and bushfire emergencies
Outline
Floods and bushfires are escalating in frequency and intensity due to climate change and other contributing factors, leading to significant risks for communities. Community preparedness plays a vital role in mitigating the impacts of these events; however, improving preparedness requires a thorough understanding of current preparedness levels and identifying areas of weakness. This research addresses a critical knowledge gap by developing standardised self-assessment tools to measure preparedness in response to flood and bushfire emergencies. The surveys were meticulously crafted through an extensive literature review, analysis of relevant guidelines, and comprehensive stakeholder engagement. Feedback from practitioners and emergency management experts was obtained and incorporated into the survey design. Data were collected from residents across all states of Australia, and exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to validate the scales and identify key factors influencing preparedness. The 11-item flood preparedness scale and 14-item bushfire preparedness scale offer a solid framework for assessing flood and bushfire preparedness levels. These validated scales enable targeted interventions to address weaknesses and build community resilience to floods and bushfires. The scales provide practical tools for individuals, researchers, policymakers, and emergency management practitioners to assess and enhance community preparedness for flood and bushfire emergencies, contributing to the development of safer and more resilient communities.
