Quantitative data collection and analysis

During the first wave of sampling (2006) a total of 1500 surveys were distributed to homes on the peri-urban fringe of Hobart. During the second wave of sampling 1297 surveys were distributed to homes on the peri-urban fringe of Hobart, and 1500 surveys were distributed to homes on the peri-urban fringe of Sydney. A total of 4297 surveys were distributed during the course of this research. Surveys were distributed systematically to all homes within 50 metres of a bush-edge in the sampling locations identified by the respective Tasmanian and New South Wales fire brigades.

4.2.2.1 Identification of distribution localities

Locations for the distribution of surveys were determined in consultation with fire authorities in Tasmania (Tasmania Fire Service - TFS) and New South Wales (New South Wales Fire Brigades - NSWFB). In discussions with these organisations several important guidelines were addressed when selecting survey locations:

a. Survey locations exhibited similar levels of bushfire risk: Sampling in areas with broadly similar levels of bushfire risk (siting locations with exactly the same levels of bushfire risk is next to impossible in Tasmania and New South Wales) ensures comparability in terms of people’s decisions regarding how they manage their bushfire risk. To prevent respondents from developing risk perceptions based on their geographical locations it is important that physical risk is relatively evenly distributed over the survey area. This ensures that people’s responses to the risk of bushfire, regardless of whether they prepare or not, will reflect how they reason about their relationship with the hazardous aspect of their environment, not the geographical features of their physical location.

b. Sample areas exhibited different bushfire histories: While it is believed previous bushfire experience plays a role in influencing decision-making about bushfire preparedness, this link is not well understood. In order to examine the way experience influences bushfire preparedness it is necessary to sample areas where residents have and have not experienced bushfire.

c. The community background was readily available: It is important to have a good understanding of the community’s attributes including their level of institutional interaction, strength of community cohesiveness and access to bushfire information materials. This information was garnered from meetings with representatives from the Community Fire Branch of the TFS and the Community Safety Division of the NSWFB.

The TFS and NSWFB had mapped bushfire risk in Hobart and Sydney respectively using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software. While not provided to the researchers, these resources were the primary tool used to collaboratively site sampling locations.

During the 2006 sampling wave, surveys were distributed only around Hobart. Surveys were distributed to a total of 12 suburbs (Appendix D.) that bordered the peri-urban fringe of the city. During the second wave of sampling surveys were distributed in Hobart and Sydney. Surveys were distributed in 21 suburbs around Hobart and 28 suburbs around Sydney during this sampling wave.

4.2.2.2 Mode of distribution

Surveys were distributed throughout those communities/areas identified by the Tasmania Fire Service and (in 2007) the New South Wales Fire Brigades that exhibited broadly similar bushfire risk. All surveys were distributed to mailboxes by hand. In Hobart (both sample waves) the surveys were distributed by T. Prior. Surveys were distributed in Sydney by members of community fire guards of each suburb sampled. Each distributor was given detailed directions on where to distribute the survey in their suburb by the Community Safety Division of the NSWFB (T. Kirkpatrick). Hand distribution enabled the researchers to ensure surveys went to homes within 50 metres of the peri-urban fringe, which could not be guaranteed if the surveys were mailed out. Hand distribution also provided an opportunity to make on-site assessments of the level of bushfire risk to participants in the areas where the surveys were distributed.

4.3.2.3 Timing of survey distribution

Survey data were collected during the early part of the bushfire seasons of 2006 (first wave of sampling) and 2007 (second wave of sampling). In both seasons the surveys were carried out

in the second week of October. October is considered the very beginning of the bushfire season in Australia, but rarely do bushfires occur at this time (Nicholls & Lucas, 2007). This is a time when people are not generally threatened by bushfire, but when they should be contemplating preparations for the upcoming summer. The survey distribution aimed to coincide with this heightening awareness of the coming bushfire season, and as such tap into householders’ basic beliefs and attitudes concerning bushfire preparedness, thereby enabling an exploration of the means by which individuals, households and/or communities were responding to bushfire risk.

The 2006 bushfire season began uncharacteristically early in Tasmania, following a particularly dry winter. Extremely warm, dry weather in early October caused high bushfire risk conditions, and a bushfire began on land bordering the suburb of Mount Nelson in Hobart. While the bushfire was small and quickly contained, it threatened homes in the survey area, and received considerable local media coverage. The possible impacts of this bushfire on the preparedness attitudes of survey respondents is discussed in the Results section. The Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) also began a new community bushfire awareness campaign in October 2006. The Prepare to Survive DVD was distributed to 38,000 homes in Tasmania that were within 100 metres of a bush edge (this included peri-urban, suburban and rural properties). While the distribution of this DVD came soon after the distribution of surveys for the present study, many homeowners would have received and (presumably) watched this DVD before returning the survey. The respondents may have consequently reported higher bushfire awareness, intention to prepare, and indeed levels of preparedness than could normally be expected. The effect of the TFS’s bushfire awareness campaign is discussed in the Results section.