Disaster Resilience
Our publication, launched at Parliament House, Canberra in August 2011, by the the US Ambassador Jeffrey Bleich, sets out the major themes to our work:
- preparing for and reducing the potential physical damage:
- emergency response
strategies
- adapting to our changing world
- improving our responses when disasters do strike; and
- addressing the psychological impact of disasters on those in disaster areas and those whose job it is to respond to major disasters.
This publication and the suite of posters related to the theme presented below are a sample of the disaster related activities IRU undertakes.
More information is also available via the following links.
- Charles Darwin University
- Flinders University
- Griffith University
- James Cook University
- La Trobe University
- Murdoch University
- The University of Newcastle
The NCCTRC is a leading national and international organisation in the disaster and emergency medical response field, with links to three of the IRU universities. The NCCTRC is a federally funded organisation based in Darwin under the NT Department of Health, with links to Charles Darwin University, Menzies School of Health Research, Flinders University, James Cook University and the federal Department of Health and Ageing. It was established in 2005 on the background of the Bali bombings and the Timor Leste unrest.
Photos courtesy of U.S. Embassy Canberra, Photographer: Travis Longmore
National Climate Change Adaptation Facility
The National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF) was established in 2007 with Commonwealth funds at Griffith University's Gold Coast Campus and includes IRU consortium partners Murdoch University, Griffith University and the University of Newcastle.
A suite of historical case studies has been developed by NCCARF which examines the management of climate extremes in Australia: preparedness for the event, management at the time, and the subsequent response.
We expect many of these events to become more common in future. Therefore, by studying our capacity to manage them at the present day, we gain insights into our capacity to adapt to future climate change: our sensitivities, vulnerability and resilience. A snapshot of three of the seven case studies is presented here....
Understanding the willingness to respond
Understanding the willingness of Australian emergency nurses to respond to a health care disaster.
Events such as bushfires, floods and cyclones occur regularly in Australia.
Within the literature, eight key themes are evident that
influence a health care professional's willingness to attend their
workplace during a disaster; family responsibility and safety,
personal safety, working conditions, professional duty, type of
event, gender,
knowledge, and ability.
A study focusing on Australian nurses willingness has not been
previously undertaken.
It is important to understand the willingness of nurses to respond
to disasters, and the
potential factors that enable or disable their response.
Civilian decision making under stress
CIVILIAN DECISION MAKING UNDER STRESS: USE OF FIRE AGENCY WEB‐SITES ON BLACK SATURDAY
Glenn Elliott and Jim McLennan
Psychological Science, Latrobe University, Victoria
"As part of the 2010/11 fire season, the provision of community information and warnings was elevated to the same importance as the operational aspect of fighting fires. In some instances, it's importance actually surpasses firefighting efforts."
Cyclone Yasi - Preparedness, Loss and Distress
James Cook University, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Nutrition is conducting a research study to find out what preparation activities residents of Queensland coastal areas between Cairns and Townsville took prior to the Cyclone Yasi event and how these preparations impacted loss of property and possessions plus emotinal distress levels.
Cyclone Testing Station
Since 1977 the Cyclone Testing Station at James Cook University has been researching, testing and advising industry and governments on building practices that minimise loss and suffering resulting from severe wind events. We deliver quality testing and technical advice to manufacturers, building associations and governments in the most efficient and cost effective way, as well as continuing cutting edge research in areas of wind engineering.
Lessons from Cyclone Larry
Cyclone Testing Station - wind engineering research, testing and community education
Lessons from Cyclone Larry - damage to houses.
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