In the wake of the January 2013 Bushfires that devastated areas in the south east of Tasmania, the Tasmania Fire Service commissioned the Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre to undertake research to gain a better understanding of the community response.
The University of Tasmania Rural Clinical School led this project, initially undertaking interviews of residents in the fire affected communities of Bicheno, Boomer Bay, Connelley’s Marsh, Copping, Dunalley, Eaglehawk Neck, Forcett, Murdunna, Primrose Sands, Sommers Bay, Doo Town and Taranna.
240 interviews were completed over the period 14 – 24 January. Initial findings will be provided to the TFS to assist in understanding the risk exposure of the community and the things it values, communication of risk and threat, and the impact on the community. The RCS will undertake thematic analysis of the interviews.
The research project included positive collaboration with University Department of Rural Health (UDRH), and has given rise to an additional request for research work into New South Wales and Gippsland areas by the Tasmania Fire Service.
