A collaborative research project is improving the data accessible by aerial firefighters to locate nearby water sources. During active bushfires, aerial firefighting units are dispatched by members of the National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC) through an online system called Arena.…
First Natural Hazards Research Forum reflects sector shift towards solutions
Engaged representatives from research, industry, government and community sectors met in October to drive tangible change through natural hazards research and innovation at the inaugural Natural Hazards Research Forum. The aim of the Forum was to focus on the future,…
Post-flood research is helping us learn from communities
A new independent research project is underway, seeking to learn from the experiences of those affected by flooding in New South Wales and Queensland this year, with results expected to improve community safety and resilience to floods. The Community experiences…
When fires cause storms
New technology is now available that predicts fire-generated thunderstorms, prompted by a sharp increase in the number of these storms and associated extreme fire events such as the devastating bushfires they caused in the 2019–20 fire season. Fire-generated thunderstorms, sometimes…
Indigenous communities leading the way with natural hazards training
Existing natural hazards training is inadequate for remote Indigenous communities. New collaborative research has worked with Indigenous communities to develop training units that support and reinforce land management capabilities across northern Australia. The management of natural hazards in northern Australian…
Helping volunteers shine as leaders
A new evidence-based toolkit is strengthening Australia’s emergency service workforce capability by supporting volunteer leaders in the way they recruit, onboard, manage and retain volunteers. When a natural hazard strikes or an emergency arises, communities rely on emergency services personnel,…
Uncovering exposure to natural hazards
As Australian communities recover from one natural hazard and prepare for the next one, there are important questions to ask about which areas are most exposed to possible loss of life, landscape and property. We need to understand which of…
The new Australian Disaster Resilience Index
Australians are always learning to live with a changing, unpredictable and uncertain environment, of which natural hazards are an increasing part. We are all developing ways to cope with, adapt to and recover from changes in our lives. But how…