@article {bnh-7289, title = {Household preparedness for bushfires: the role of residents{\textquoteright} engagement with information sources}, number = {604}, year = {2017}, month = {12/2017}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {MELBOURNE}, abstract = {

The following report shows that even after controlling for bushfire risk perceptions, people who access and engage with information sources are better prepared for bushfires than those who do not. The report notes, however, that the majority of people are not accessing information on how to prepare their household for bushfires, despite being at risk of this occurrence. Several key finding are summarised below.

}, keywords = {bushfires, household preparedness, information sources, resident engagement}, issn = {604}, author = {Ilona M McNeill and Jennifer Boldero and Elle McIntosh} } @article {bnh-4241, title = {Increasing residents{\textquoteright} preparedness and planning for natural hazards: annual project report 2016-17}, number = {343}, year = {2017}, month = {09/2017}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

This project addresses the following problem statements: 1) what measures can best be used to capture individuals{\textquoteright} preparedness and planning for natural hazards?, 2) how effective are traditional strategies, such as community engagement groups vs. brochures vs. websites vs. advertising in increasing preparedness and planning by residents of hazard prone areas?, and 3) what are some of the key barriers and motivators for residents{\textquoteright} engagement with disaster resilience building activities, and how can strategies be improved to increase preparedness for natural hazards? All problem statements are being addressed within the context of bushfires and floods.

Over the past 12 months, this project has undertaken the following:

}, issn = {343}, author = {Ilona M McNeill and Jennifer Boldero} } @article {bnh-3084, title = {Increasing residents{\textquoteright} preparedness and planning for natural hazards: Annual project report 2015-2016}, number = {218}, year = {2016}, month = {09/2016}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

This project addresses the following problem statements: 1) what measures can best be used to capture individuals{\textquoteright} preparedness and planning for natural hazards?, 2) how effective are traditional strategies, such as community engagement groups vs. brochures vs. websites vs. advertising in increasing preparedness and planning by residents of hazard prone areas?, and 3) what are some of the key barriers and motivators for residents{\textquoteright} engagement with disaster resilience building activities, and how can strategies be improved to increase preparedness for natural hazards? All problem statements are being addressed within the context of bushfires and floods.

Over the past 12 months, this project has undertaken the following:

To address Problem Statement 3, we developed and conducted a large survey study amongst residents of flood prone areas, with data collection initiated in September 2015.\ Unfortunately, this study had to be abandoned due to an exceptionally low response rate at Wave 1 (September 2015). Potential reasons for the low response rate have been presented in a report5.

In response to the low response rate of the September 2015 study, a revised approach to address Problem Statement 3 was developed and presented to end-users in a teleconference in November 2015. The outline for this new study was presented in more detail at the Research Advisory Forum in Hobart. This study will examine the role of perceived community culture in motivating residents to engage with resilience building initiatives and preparedness activities. Data collection for this study is planned to commence in September {\textendash} December 2016.

In addition to the above, this year saw the publication of three project related papers in high quality peer-reviewed journals: one on the role of people{\textquoteright}s expectations and values in their intended response to bushfires6, one on the role of indecisiveness and anxiety in preparing for bushfires7, and one on the role of constructive and unconstructive worry in preparing for bushfires7.

Finally, discussions have been initiated with end-users around the potential development of an all hazards household preparedness tool, similar to the bushfire household preparedness tool that was developed under the old Bushfire CRC. This tool would be developed in a utilisation stage (i.e., not included in current project).

}, issn = {218}, author = {Ilona M McNeill and Jennifer Boldero} } @article {bnh-1538, title = {Improving the Role of Hazard Communications in Increasing Residents{\textquoteright} Preparedness and Response Planning Annual Report 2014}, year = {2015}, abstract = {

This is an annual report for the year 2013/14. This project combines expertise in communication, social and consumer psychology, and disaster and emergency management. It is designed to develop evidence-based strategies that motivate appropriate action during the preparedness and planning phase of disasters.

}, author = {Ilona M McNeill and Jennifer Boldero} } @article {bnh-2312, title = {Improving the role of hazard communications in increasing residents{\textquoteright} preparedness and response planning: Annual project report 2014-2015}, number = {127}, year = {2015}, month = {10/2015}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

This project addresses the following problem statements: 1) what measures can best be used to capture individuals{\textquoteright} preparedness and planning for natural hazards?, 2) how effective are traditional strategies, such as community engagement groups vs. brochures vs. websites vs. advertising in increasing preparedness and planning by residents of hazard prone areas?, and 3) how can strategies be improved to increase preparedness and planning for natural hazards? All problem statements are being addressed within the context of bushfires and floods.\ Over the past 12 months, this project has undertaken and completed the following:

The next 12 months will focus on the development of our Phase 3 research, which will identify psychological barriers and enablers of preparedness and planning in the context of a set of non-traditional strategies aimed to increase preparedness and planning.\ 

}, issn = {127}, author = {Ilona M McNeill and Jennifer Boldero} }