@article {bnh-8208, title = {Nandong smong and tsunami lullabies: Song and music as an effective communication tool in disaster risk reduction}, journal = {International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction}, volume = {65}, year = {2021}, month = {08/2021}, abstract = {

Growing international appreciation of the increasing risk posed by natural hazard events acknowledges the effects that climate change and increasingly vulnerable populations will have on future costs and casualties of disasters. As concerns about the impacts of natural hazard events increase, researchers and practitioners are interested in identifying effective processes to build individual and community resilience. To date, despite resources, time and effort being made by governments and NGOs to encourage disaster risk reduction (DRR) programs at national, regional and local levels, most communities remain poorly prepared, and improvements have only been incremental.

One way to gain insight into systems that may improve local community resilience is to examine (rare) examples where communities have avoided the worst impacts of a natural disaster through implementation of recognizable DRR strategies. One example is Simeulue Island in Indonesia. Simeulue was only 43\ km from the epicenter of the earthquake that initiated the Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004. The 15\ m tsunami waves destroyed all but two of the islands 171 schools, 60 bridges, 41 medical centers and left 85\% of the population homeless; but only 7 out of the 80,000 inhabitants died [1]. Music and song have been identified as an important part of Simeulue{\textquoteright}s DRR success [2-4]. This paper discusses the nature of the songs of Simeulue and considers the socio-cognitive processes whereby music was co-opted to entrain risk information about tsunami and their avoidance into the Simeulue community{\textquoteright}s Sense of Coherence ({\textquoteleft}SOC{\textquoteright}). The findings indicate that the people of Simeulue applied techniques now understood to optimize learning. While highly effective, they rely on rudimentary human skills and have consequently been overlooked or ignored in most formal DRR contexts.

}, keywords = {communication, disasters, DRR, education, Music, Song, Story}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2021.102527}, url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221242092100488X?dgcid=author}, author = {Sutton, S and Paton, Douglas and Burgelt , Petra T. and Saut Sagala and Ella Meilianda} } @article {bnh-7810, title = {North Australian bushfire and natural hazard training - final project report}, number = {644}, year = {2021}, month = {01/2021}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

This report provides an overview, including the north Australian bushfire and natural hazard ({\textquoteleft}BNH{\textquoteright}) context and the social background for the North Australian Bushfire and Natural Hazard Training project.

The project has proceeded slowly (five years) and has changed dramatically as a result of engaging in Participatory Action Research ({\textquoteleft}PAR{\textquoteright}). This approach to researching the training needs of residents of remote north Australian communities encouraged these residents to participate in the framing of the enquiry as well as the generation of answers and training materials.

Several desktop reviews were undertaken during the project. These examined the existing BNH training offerings as well as the opportunities that existed at the time for Indigenous community members to obtain leadership training. The reviews found that where training existed it largely omitted Indigenous perspectives, particularly in terms of strategic overviews and planning. For leadership training, it was found that where remote communities were able to access training for BNH it did not focus on leadership and that which focused on leadership did not include BNH management.

In response to the views of project participants and the reviews, the project developed a set of training units that, taken together, drew together the essential elements of Indigenous and non-Indigenous BNH training in a Vocational Education and Training ({\textquoteleft}VET{\textquoteright}) style program. The program does however modify the {\textquoteleft}standard{\textquoteright} VET approach through the provision of flexible temporal arrangements for training and assessing. This need was identified as the project recognized the requirement to train {\textquoteleft}on Country [1]{\textquoteright} and to use local knowledge-holders in the preparations for and delivery of the training.

Nine formal {\textquoteleft}engagements{\textquoteright} were held over the life of the project, including workshops and three training pilots. In each pilot, different components of the ten training units were presented and refined. A detailed and culturally appropriate evaluation was undertaken of each pilot and the feedback was incorporated into the next {\textquoteleft}round{\textquoteright} of pilot training.

10 training units have been developed by the project. Some of these are entirely new while others are adaptations of existing training, albeit adapted sufficient to warrant a new unit descriptor.

The 10 units have not yet been subject to National Accreditation, but are designed to map onto the Standards for VET Accredited Courses as set out by the Australian Skills Quality Authority. Each unit has been framed in terms of {\textquoteleft}Elements and Performance Criteria{\textquoteright}, {\textquoteleft}Evidence Guide{\textquoteright}, {\textquoteleft}Requiired Skills and Knowledge{\textquoteright} and a {\textquoteleft}Range Statement{\textquoteright}.


[1] The capitalised term {\textquoteleft}Country{\textquoteright} is used throughout to indicate the entity which extends well beyond the English term for {\textquoteleft}nation{\textquoteright} or {\textquoteleft}landscape{\textquoteright} or {\textquoteleft}rural{\textquoteright}. For the Indigenous people who participated in this project {\textquoteleft}Country{\textquoteright} refers an entity which transcends physical, moral, spiritual and metaphysical realms and of which they are an integral part. Country is at all times the ground on which one stands but also inside a person (cf. Holmes \& Janpajimpa 2013: 18). It is something one can be taken off, but can never be removed from within.

}, keywords = {Bushfire, natural hazard, north australia, training}, issn = {644}, author = {Sutton, S} } @inbook {bnh-6644, title = {The Theory/Practice of Disaster Justice: Learning from Indigenous Peoples{\textquoteright} Fire Management}, booktitle = {Natural Hazards and Disaster Justice: Challenges for Australia and Its Neighbours}, year = {2020}, pages = {299-317}, publisher = {Palgrave Macmillan}, organization = {Palgrave Macmillan}, edition = {1st}, chapter = {16}, address = {Singapore}, abstract = {

Globally, Indigenous peoples have fire management practices which are not necessarily supported by the centralised land management and natural hazard institutions of nation states. This is changing in Australia with the proliferation of engagements between government authorities and Aboriginal fire management leaders. These engagements raise a series of justice issues that critique the separation of environmental and socio-political\ matters, and the discriminatory positioning of Indigenous peoples and their interests as local. In this chapter, we share the experiences of Aboriginal people that have been shared with us in three places: Central Arnhem Land, the Western Desert and the Australian Capital Territory. The theory/practice of Disaster Justice\ offers new opportunities to ensure these socio-natural\ engagements are {\textquoteleft}just{\textquoteright}, which requires careful attention to whose values matter, whose knowledge is important and whose political-legal rights and entities are recognised and resourced.

}, keywords = {Bushfire, Collective continuance, Decolonial, Environmental justice, First Nations, Wildfire}, isbn = {978-981-15-0465-5}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-0466-2_16}, url = {https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-15-0466-2_16}, author = {Jessica Weir and Sutton, S and Gareth Catt} } @conference {bnh-6505, title = {Are we future ready? It depends on who you ask }, booktitle = {AFAC19 powered by INTERSCHUTZ - Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC Research Forum}, year = {2019}, month = {12/2019}, publisher = {Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience}, organization = {Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

The key problem faced in preparing for future disasters is a problem of imagination. It is a problem embedded in the stories we tell about what we imagine might happen. These stories tend to focus on a {\textquoteleft}bell curve{\textquoteright} distribution of disaster events, combining our own lived experience with the stories of others. This combination of personal experiences and the stories of others forms the basis of our perception of risk and vulnerability. This is a dynamic and ongoing process. The story is never finished, nor is it complete, as we selectively incorporate or reject information depending on its source, content and compatibility with the existing narrative.

The existing narrative for natural hazard management incorporates perceptions of probability; generally, {\textquoteleft}disaster consequences will tend to hover close to the mean and every now and then we will be tested{\textquoteright}. As the volume of hazards grows the narrative is more deeply imbued with concepts of coping and {\textquoteleft}lessons learned{\textquoteright}. If certain narratives are allowed to flourish uncontested within an organisation an ironic consequence can be a failure of imagination and coping. A failure to be future ready.

This paper is a discussion about the extent to which we{\textquoteright}re future ready using the Johari window as a heuristic and reflecting on a case study from Indonesia.

Download the full peer reviewed research proceedings\ from the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC Research Forumhere.

}, keywords = {Emergency management, future disasters, risk management, Vulnerability}, url = {https://knowledge.aidr.org.au/resources/australian-journal-of-emergency-management-monograph-series/}, author = {Sutton, S and Paton, Douglas and Burgelt , Petra T. and Ella Meilianda and Saut Sagala} } @article {bnh-6329, title = {Augmenting physical 3D models with projected information to support environmental knowledge exchange}, journal = {Applied Geography}, volume = {112}, year = {2019}, month = {11/2019}, abstract = {

Participatory GIS has emerged as a useful tool for participatory planning and collaborative decision making. Many participatory GIS approaches are low-tech methods, including using physical objects such as 3D topographical models to assist with landscape recognition. More recently, physical 3D models have been augmented with light projection of digital landscape information and simulation models. Here we describe approaches currently being employed using 3D Projection-Augmented Landscape Models (3DPALM). We also explore the potential of emerging approaches that bridge traditional 3D participatory GIS and geosimulation models. Case studies are presented from Australia, Mexico and Canada that use physical 3D landscapes augmented with geosimulation models to support participatory planning, education and cross-cultural knowledge exchange. The work described in this paper suggests there are significant opportunities for the wider use of 3DPALM application to support a broad range participatory planning applications.

}, keywords = {3D-printed landscapes, Participatory GIS, Participatory modelling}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeog.2019.102095}, url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0143622818312621}, author = {Rohan Fisher and Scott Heckbert and Jose Maria Leon Villalobos and Sutton, S} } @inbook {bnh-6327, title = {Urban Water Management Issues and Challenges After the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami Recovery: Lessons Learned from Banda Aceh City, Indonesia}, booktitle = {Urban Drought}, year = {2018}, pages = {399-412}, publisher = {Springer}, organization = {Springer}, address = {Singapore}, abstract = {

Banda Aceh city faced an urban water problem after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami devastated and damaged most of the city. Over 60\% of the city area was destroyed, including the entire loss of some areas of land and massive impacts on infrastructure. Water supply infrastructure in particular was badly hit, with only 20\% of the clean water available immediately following the event. Contamination of the groundwater by seawater was a crucial factor as the tainted seawater disrupted the clean water balance, which in turn damaged the facilities of the local public water utility company (Perusahaan Daerah Air Minum, PDAM). This loss of capacity came at a critical time, with a large number of disaster victims having a pressing need for water, for crucial hygiene as well as consumption. The reconstruction and rehabilitation phases of the disaster recovery sought to resolve the water resource problem for Banda Aceh citizens, with the restoration of PDAM becoming a top priority. This chapter highlights the urban water management issues and challenges of this situation and the problem of providing the clean water to Banda Aceh{\textquoteright}s citizens following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

}, keywords = {Banda Aceh urban water management, Clean water recovery, The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-8947-3_23}, url = {https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-10-8947-3_23}, author = {Alfi Rahman and Shimpei Iwasaki and Sutton, S and Aiko Sakurai} } @article {bnh-4226, title = {Mapping training delivery framework and pathways for the north Australian fire and emergency management training}, number = {351}, year = {2017}, month = {11/2017}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

The North Australian Fire and Emergency Management Trainingproject was initiated following representations made by land, fire and emergency managers in northern Australia about the inadequacy of existing training for remote fire and emergency management.\  People involved in fire and land management in remote Aboriginal communities in particular were concerned that the existing training did not really provide satisfactory levels of skills or knowledge with which an individual or group could effectively manage bushfire and natural hazards (BNH) at the landscape scale required in the north.\ 

It is important to note that they did not express disdain for the current training; the inadequacy they referred to was more directed at the fact that the training did not go far enough.\  It only covered the basics.\  They recognised that the basics were good and important for maintenance of the safety of individuals working in BNH, but more was required.

Additionally, these informants clearly expressed a desire for their own existing knowledge and ways to be incorporated into training. They indicated that incorporating this traditional knowledge made sense in practical terms: they had always lived here, they knew the landscape, they knew about fire and other hazards and how to manage them.\  It also made sense in more symbolic ways; recognition of their knowledge and skills would mean a great deal to training participants and would be likely to foster better uptake of the training. This holistic training was less likely to be forgotten. The fact that the training might do more than just refer to existing traditional knowledge as a marginal note would allow the training to build on participant{\textquoteright}s existing scaffolds of understanding.

Taking this into account the project in its original conception set out to establish an adaptable program of training modules that would readily fit within a VET qualification or for a component of an HE unit.\  As the project progressed however, a range of issues were identified that cautioned against unilateral implementation of this approach.\ 

Several elements of the wider program of training required the detailed input of local people from the communities within which the training was to be delivered.\  This input included local knowledge of the multidimensional role that fire has within the landscape and its cultural relationships.\  Other information was sought regarding the traditional approaches of the community to leadership and management decision-making.\  For each of these and a number of other tasks, elements of the project were outsourced to ARPNet[1].\  In each case the quality of the information provided exceeded the brief and has considerably enhanced the quality of the final product (the training).\  However, the feedback from the ARPNet research also included a lot of metadata about training in remote Aboriginal communities in general.\  This information included considerable disquiet about VET training in general and the quality of accredited courses delivered in communities specifically.

Consequently this document discusses these issues and concerns and tries to set out a mechanism for ensuring remote communities have access to the training in a suitable framework that enhances their ability to find employment or progress to further education.


[1] ARPNet is the Aboriginal Research Practitioners Network, a coordinated group of Aboriginal people from a variety of communities and languages who have been trained in Participatory Action Research.\  Network members are contracted to conduct research, evaluation and planning activities using qualitative and quantitative methods from the ARPNet {\textquotedblleft}Dilly Bag {\textquotedblleft}(Sithole 2013). Research is conducted in the first language of the participants with due attention to cultural sensitivities.

}, issn = {351}, author = {Sutton, S} } @article {bnh-4243, title = {Northern Australian bushfire and natural hazards training: annual project report 2016-17}, number = {346}, year = {2017}, month = {09/2017}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

This report outlines progress in the North Australian Fire and Natural Hazard Training project.\  The project is part of a program of action research projects based at Charles Darwin University entitled {\textquotedblleft}Building Community Resilience in Northern Australia{\textquotedblright}.\  This program includes both physical and social science research into natural and cultural processes that impact upon the vulnerability and resilience of remote north Australian communities.\ 

The Building Community Resilience in Northern Australia program has a strong focus of participatory action research to encourage and enhance existing nodes of capability and excellence.\  The most prominent of these for fire and emergency management are remote Aboriginal Ranger groups.\  These groups have grown substantially in the last decade and have built a solid base of capacity by ensuring skills, knowledge and qualifications in relevant fields.\  In contrast to the more widely reported {\textquoteleft}deficit{\textquoteright} model of remote communities {\textendash} communities with Ranger groups are moving to develop the social infrastructure that underpins disaster resilience; employment, social networks and communication.

The North Australian Fire and Natural Hazard Training project aims to provide a {\textquoteleft}next-generation{\textquoteright} training program that builds on these current assets in the north such as the ranger programs and leads to increasing levels of competence and confidence and in its turn, resilience. The project is a response to north Australian stakeholder concerns that existing training is inadequate for their needs.

The project was late to start, but has now completed 10 new training units and a pilot delivery undertaken in June 2017.\  In keeping with the participatory mode for the wider project in which the training project sits, ARPNet conducted research into local fire management knowledge including facilitating workshops on traditional leadership as it relates to emergency management in preparation for the pilot. ARPNet is also in the process of completing a critical evaluation of the pilot to inform amendments to all elements of the program.

This year{\textquoteright}s progress has been centered on workshops to develop and conduct a pilot training.

A workshop was held in July 2016 to develop concepts around Aboriginal leadership for BNH Management. This was held at Limurlee on the Blythe River in central Arnhem Land. The workshop brought forth important conceptual information around indigenous leadership structures and key skills and knowledge Aboriginal BNH and land managers need to operate successfully.

A pilot training program was held at Malyangarngak south of Ramingining, also in central Arnhem Land. This pilot trialled three key components of the course material developed for the project. A range of features were identified as being highly successful, while a range of elements need further work before the package is complete.

Evaluation of the pilot has been outsourced to ARPNet and a draft report is expected at the end of September 2017.

}, issn = {346}, author = {Sutton, S} } @article {bnh-4220, title = {A review of emergency and fire management training available for remote communities in northern Australia based on the views of local inhabitants}, number = {350}, year = {2017}, month = {11/2017}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

This report reviews the training preferences for fire and emergency management training for remote communities in northern Australia. It then sets out a framework for development of a new training curriculum based on Skill Sets for north Australian fire management and savanna burning. The report is based on the results of some review of existing materials and consultation with land owners and managers, government agency representatives, Aboriginal Land Councils and Ranger groups as well as academics and VET program developers and trainers.

}, issn = {350}, author = {Sutton, S} } @conference {bnh-3908, title = {Too good to be true? How a remote island community developed a 100\% effective risk communication strategy and what Australia can learn from it}, booktitle = {AFAC17}, year = {2017}, month = {09/2017}, publisher = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, organization = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Sydney}, abstract = {

On 13 October 2005 the leaders of the island of Simeulue were presented with a prestigious award by the United Nations. The Sasakawa Award for Disaster Reduction was given in recognition of the island community losing a remarkably low number of people during the 26 December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. The award paid tribute to the fact that Simeulue accomplished a {\textquotedblleft}unique achievement in the midst of all the death in Aceh due to the tsunami{\textquotedblright} and acknowledged that an oral story saved the community. In fact, of a population of 80,000, only 7 people died during the incident {\textendash} and locals insist that 6 of those died during the earthquake and only one {\textendash} a man named Laksahmin {\textendash} died from the tsunami.

Research published soon after the tsunami indicated that the essence of this unique achievement was a traditional story which included information on the signs of an impending tsunami and the action to be taken to minimise loss of life.

In the indigenous story tsunami is called {\textquotedblleft}smong{\textquotedblright} and the knowledge of smong is based on the community{\textquoteright}s experience of a previous smong event. This earlier tsunami occurred on 4 January 1907 and affected 950 km of the Sumatran coast.

The core of the old story (from both the literature and from the interviews that comprise this research) is that the big tsunami struck Simeulue in 1907 killing a great proportion of the population. The survivors were those who ran to the nearby hills. Ever since then the story has been repeated in many private and public social contexts. Old people and grandmothers in particular reiterate the story. The principal story elements are:

1) Jika gempa kuat\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \  1) If there is a strong earthquake

2) Jika laut surut \  \  \  \  \  \  \  \  \  \  \  \  \  \  \  \  \  \  \  \  2) If the sea recedes

3) Lari ke gunung \  \  \  \  \  \  \  \  \  \  \  \  \  \  \  \  \  \  \  3) Run to the mountains

\  \  \  \  \ 3b) Ngakk menunggu - lari saja!\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \  3b) Don{\textquoteright}t wait - just RUN!

This paper sets out the preliminary results of a PhD research project which is exploring the Simeulue DRR phenomenon. This project aims to generate an understanding of how the simple narrative described above came about and in particular, why it was so effective in minimising loss of life in 2004. It is hoped that these findings can be adapted to improve risk communication and DRR in other locations in Indonesia and indeed the rest of the world.

}, author = {Sutton, S} } @conference {bnh-2936, title = {How do island communities balance disaster resilience and what can mainlanders learn from that?}, booktitle = {AFAC16}, year = {2016}, month = {08/2016}, publisher = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, organization = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Brisbane}, abstract = {

This paper will look at the aspects of the character and balance of disaster risk reduction behaviour and resilience in island contexts focusing on the case study of Pulau Simeulue (Simeulue Island).\ The paper is in four parts, each setting out a context for understanding the relevance of islands for disaster risk reduction. The first will introduce the case study of Simeulue and its relevance to our understanding of disaster risk reduction ({\textquoteleft}DRR{\textquoteright}). The second section discusses the way in which islands have a special place in individual and community narratives and perceptions. It is argued that, far from being esoteric matters, the fact that we are capable of documenting different and deep-seated perceptions can lead to some wider lessons about mechanisms to build community resilience. The third section considers a biogeographic model of islands and the role they have played in the natural world, but also the how we have come to understand that world. Through a close examination of variability on and between islands we have come to a deeper understanding of biology generally. This context potentially lends itself to a wider understanding of DRR. Finally it will identify some of the specific properties of island communities that make them worthy of deeper consideration for a better understanding of DRR and growing community resilience in {\textquoteleft}mainland{\textquoteright} contexts.

}, author = {Sutton, S} } @article {bnh-3097, title = {Northern Australia bushfire and natural hazard training: Annual project report 2015-2016}, number = {230}, year = {2016}, month = {09/2016}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

This report outlines progress in the North Australian Fire and Natural Hazard Training project.\  The project is part of a program of action research projects based at Charles Darwin University entitled {\textquotedblleft}Building Community Resilience in Northern Australia{\textquotedblright}.\  This program includes both physical and social science research into natural and cultural processes that impact upon the vulnerability and resilience of remote north Australian communities.\ 

The Building Community Resilience in Northern Australia program has a strong focus of participatory action research to encourage and enhance existing nodes of capability and excellence.\  The most prominent of these for fire and emergency management are remote Aboriginal Ranger groups.\  These groups have grown substantially in the last decade and have built a solid base of capacity by ensuring skills, knowledge and qualifications in relevant fields.\  In contrast to the more widely reported {\textquoteleft}deficit{\textquoteright} model of remote communities, \ communities with Ranger groups are moving to develop the social infrastructure that underpins disaster resilience; employment, social networks and communication.

The North Australian Fire and Natural Hazard Training project aims to provide a {\textquoteleft}next-generation{\textquoteright} training program that builds on these current assets in the north such as the ranger programs and leads to increasing levels of competence and confidence and in its turn, resilience. The project is a response to north Australian stakeholder concerns that existing training is inadequate for their needs.

The project was late to start, but has now completed 10 new training units and will ready for pilot delivery in 2016-17.\  In keeping with the participatory mode for the wider project in which the training project sits, ARPNet has been engaged to document critical local fire management knowledge and to facilitate workshops on traditional leadership as it relates to emergency management.

A key focus of the new training units is the development of a didactic approach to building an understanding of the differing world views about fire and emergency management and the ways these affect preparation and response, particularly to bushfires, but also other natural hazards. This is intended to build on existing knowledge of participants and lead to an understanding of the material rather than a more limited {\textquoteleft}knowledge{\textquoteright} of the subject matter. The incorporation of detailed local traditional knowledge regarding the management objectives and practices for different landscape units is crucial to instilling this deep understanding of fire and natural hazard management in a way that can be used effectively at a local level.

The project has made presentations to the Adelaide AFAC/BNHCRC conference, and the Research Advisory Forum in Hobart.

Four workshops involving Project team, experienced trainers and professionals working in the multitude of BNH related disciplines and Indigenous practitioners have been held in Darwin and other locations in the Top End. These have focused on deepening and fine tuning the content of particular units.

}, issn = {230}, author = {Sutton, S} } @conference {bnh-1568, title = {Building Community Resilience to Natural Hazards in Northern Australia Conference Paper 2014}, booktitle = { Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC and AFAC Wellington Conference 2014}, year = {2015}, month = {01/2015}, publisher = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, organization = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, abstract = {

Sparsely settled regions of northern Australia are extremely vulnerable to a range of annual natural hazard impacts, including those from cyclones, flooding and extensive fires. Outside of large towns, the majority of the population is Indigenous with limited access to infrastructure, or readily available institutional support for dealing with bushfires and natural hazards (BNH). Low population densities and poor communications mean that even relatively large communities have almost no formal emergency management capacity.

Natural hazards are being amplified by climate change, with likely more and bigger fires, on-going sea level rise, potentially fewer but more destructive cyclones, and more days of severe heat stress, with consequent risks to economic productivity, infrastructure and human health and wellbeing. Improving community resilience to bushfire and natural hazards in the north is an evident priority and challenge; approaches that might apply in other regions of Australia are unlikely to work in the unique institutional, infrastructural, demographic, ecological and climatic contexts of the northern third of the continent.

This paper explores potential pathways to improve community preparedness, response and recovery capabilities in remote Indigenous communities, and broader implications for public policy and government agencies in northern Australia, with reference to the research portfolio being developed in the northern hub of the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC.\ 

}, author = {J.S. Gould and Sithole, B and Campbell, A and Glenn James and Sutton, S} } @article {bnh-2355, title = {Bushfire and natural hazard training for Northern Australia: Annual project report 2014-2015}, number = {148}, year = {2015}, month = {02/11/2015}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

This report outlines progress in the North Australian Fire and Natural Hazard Training project.\  The project is part of a program of action research projects based at Charles Darwin University entitled {\textquotedblleft}Building Community Resilience in Northern Australia{\textquotedblright}.\  This program includes both physical and social science research into natural and cultural processes that impact upon the vulnerability and resilience of remote north Australian communities.\ 

The Building Community Resilience in Northern Australia program has a strong focus of action research to encourage and enhance existing nodes of capability and excellence.\  The most prominent of these for fire and emergency management are ranger groups.\  These groups have grown substantially in the last decade and have built a solid base of capacity by ensuring skills, knowledge and qualifications in fields as basic as driving a car to operating GIS.

The North Australian Fire and Natural Hazard Training project aims to provide a {\textquoteleft}next-generation{\textquoteright} training program that builds on the current assets in the north such as the ranger programs and leads to increasing levels of competence and confidence and in its turn, resilience. The project is a response to north Australian stakeholder concerns that existing training is inadequate for their needs.

The project was late to start, but has now completed four new training units and is moving on developing further new units and, where appropriate, adapting existing units to suit the needs of northern Australia.

A key focus of the new training units is the development of a didactic approach to building an understanding of the differing world views about fire and emergency management and the ways these affect preparation and response, particularly to bushfires, but also other natural hazards.

The project has made presentations to the Wellington AFAC/BNHCRC conference, the Research Advisory Forum in Sydney and the North Australian Fire Managers Forum in Cairns in June.

A workshop for stakeholders was held in May in Darwin and a further presentation was made at a workshop of the {\textquotedblleft}Building Community Resilience in Northern Australia{\textquotedblright} in Ngukurr in June.\ 

}, issn = {148}, author = {Sutton, S} }