Factors associated with increased preparedness for future bushfires after exposure to a severe bushfire in Australia

Abstract

When recurrent hazards are exacerbated by climate change, the recovery process from one hazard is closely linked to the preparedness for subsequent events. This study investigated associations of long-term bushfire preparedness after previous bushfire exposure, focusing on the Protective Action Decision Model and considering mental health as an additional explanatory variable. Participants included a sample from the Beyond Bushfire study which was conducted 3–4 years after the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires. Analyses were conducted on 1010 residents of Australian communities who were affected to varying degrees by the bushfires. Associated variables of increased bushfire preparedness were inv..