Bushfire-Ready Neighbourhoods Round 3, that’s a wrap! (2018 to 2020)

Bushfire-Ready Neighbourhoods Round 3, that’s a wrap! (2018 to 2020)

The 2020 post-test survey has recently been completed and provides a snapshot of household bushfire preparedness with reference to key indicators, and includes a direct comparison with the 2018 pre-test survey results – an independent assessment of the effectiveness of the BRN Program within target communities.

Close to 9 in 10 households (88%) reported having a bushfire survival plan (BSP) – significantly above the 2018 pre-test level of 75%.

1 in 5 survey respondents (20%) reported that their BSP was in written form – above the pre-test level of 18%.

Over half of responding households (57%) reported that they would most likely leave their home early in the event of a major bushfire situation – an increase on the pre-test level of 49%.

Those involved in BRN were more likely to leave early compared with those not involved in BRN – and conversely less likely to stay and defend their home.

Overall household bushfire preparedness increased significantly from the pre-test result – 83% overall, up from 76%.

The post-test result for individual indicators, is in all but one case, above the pre-test result and in many cases markedly so.

Those involved in BRN reported a significantly higher overall household bushfire preparedness, compared with those not involved in BRN.

Close to half of the survey sample (48%) had heard of the BRN program at the time of survey – a significant increase to the pre-test level of 34%.

Overall, BRN has made significant change in Round 3 in terms of behavioural change and increasing bushfire preparedness in Tasmania.

Peter Middleton
Cooordinator, Community Development