Stories of impact
Research in action in stories from end-users, researchers and community members
A best practice blueprint for a thriving volunteer sector
This research has been used in developing a national approach for a more sustainable volunteer workforce.
Action to mitigate the devasting effects of extreme heat
In 2014, the Centre was the first to determine that extreme heat is Australia’s deadliest natural hazard. As the planet warms, agencies are using that finding to drive action.
Advice on managing animals in disasters
An Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience handbook on planning for animals is based on Centre-funded research showing animal management during an emergency is also critical to human health and safety.
Assessing governments’ capabilities to manage disasters
The Australian Government’s capacity to coordinate a response to events affecting biosecurity, agriculture, fisheries and forestry has been significantly improved thanks to a tool developed with our research.
Bushfire prediction maps create safer, more informed communities
As the community expects more real-time information about fires, we’re showing how to effectively embed predictions into warning products, and the best way of releasing these to the public.
Empowering children to identify their climate superpowers
Based on recovery capitals identified for communities’ response to natural events, this spin-off research is helping children overcome climate anxiety.
Ensuring SES volunteers are fit for their roles
Australia’s first nationally consistent approach to State Emergency Services (SES) fitness standards is used to keep volunteers and staff safe from injury.
Evidence-informed flood-risk warnings on ABC radio
A set of 26 evidence-informed community service announcements co-developed with our researchers has been used by the ABC across Australia, reaching hundreds of thousands of listeners with clear and actionable information on what to do during an emergency.
Getting Mob back on Country
Centre research has led to culturally appropriate and more effective conservation and land management practices by involving Aboriginal people in looking after their traditional lands.
Good practice for dealing with traumatic events
This world-first research provides the first evidence internationally on the best way to track exposure and organisational responses to potentially traumatic events.
Helping communities to recover
The Recovery Capitals research is helping relief agencies to identify people and communities’ unique needs after multiple disasters.
Helping leaders to attract and retain volunteers
Evidence on what engages and motivates volunteers has been translated into impactful resources used by leaders to support their workforce.
More resilient strata properties on the Gold Coast
With strata properties particularly vulnerable to natural hazards, research has driven government programs to fund vital retrofitting works.
Our research with James Cook University
Our long-standing relationship with JCU’s Cyclone Testing Station prompted government funding to retrofit of thousands of homes in Queensland, improved building codes, increased understanding of the risk of cyclones and provided compelling evidence to inform decision making.
Protecting firefighters from the health dangers of bushfires
With bushfire fighting now classified as a carcinogenic occupation by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, this research resulted in the issuing of personal protective equipment to hundreds of firefighters in Western Australia.
Research touches Australians across the country
Building on Centre-funded research, the Australian Fire Danger Rating System uses evidence to forecast and communicate fire danger across the country.
Research translated into a lifesaving safety campaign
Insights from Centre research contributed to NSW State Emergency Service’s (SES) Steer Clear campaign, saving lives by finding more effective ways to urge people to reconsider driving through floodwater.
Schools in Fire Country empowers kids to be agents of change
This program has upskilled entire communities to prepare for and respond to bushfire in Victoria.
The Australian Disaster Resilience Index informs policy
The Australian Disaster Resilience Index has become an essential dataset for policy in Australia and internationally.
Training leaders to make decisions under pressure
Effective decision making is a critical part of emergency management. These tools are supporting the needs of decision makers across the country.
Using transformative scenarios to face a changing world
This innovative planning process helped emergency management leaders stress-test their existing strategies against future scenarios.
Vulnerability assessments used to turn the power back on
As communities become more reliant on electricity, understanding where to prioritise investment is essential for power companies like Powercor.