@article {bnh-5763, title = {Older adults in disaster and emergency management: What are the priority research areas in Australia?}, journal = {International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction}, volume = {39}, year = {2019}, month = {07/2019}, abstract = {

In Australia, the proportion of people aged over 65 years is increasing and the frequency and severity of natural hazard events are also increasing. Older adults are often identified as a vulnerable group in natural hazard events, but there has been relatively little research that focuses specifically on older adults and their capacities and needs. This paper describes stakeholder consultation undertaken to identify research priorities related to older adults and natural hazards in Australia, and compares this to current research literature on this topic identified in an initial scoping review. A two-phase modified Delphi study was undertaken with stakeholder organisations within Australia, including older adults{\textquoteright} representative organisations, community services, and emergency services. Stakeholders (n = 112) first identified priority research areas and 649 distinct topics were suggested; thematic analysis was used to refine these to 19 research topic areas that were then rated and ranked for importance by stakeholders during phase two. The top five topic areas identified were {\textquoteleft}Communication and warnings,{\textquoteright} {\textquoteleft}Preparedness,{\textquoteright} {\textquoteleft}Awareness, behaviour and decision-making,{\textquoteright} {\textquoteleft}Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities,{\textquoteright} and {\textquoteleft}Community services and organisations{\textquoteright}. While these topics are covered in some Australian literature, further research {\textendash} particularly in relation to CALD communities, and community services/organisations {\textendash} is needed. This study demonstrates the value of stakeholder engagement and the Delphi approach for identifying research priorities that can best address issues and concerns amongst diverse stakeholders. It also highlights that there is a need for further research with older adults, communities, and stakeholders to support preparedness, risk reduction, and resilience.

}, keywords = {CALD, Disaster management, Emergency management, Natural hazards, Older adults, Stakeholder engagement}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2019.101248}, url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212420919301736?dgcid=coauthor}, author = {Lisa Fountain and Matalena Tofa and Katharine Haynes and Mel Taylor and Susan Ferguson} } @article {BF-3099, title = {{\textquotedblleft}Awake, smoky, and hot{\textquotedblright}: Providing an evidence-base for managing the risks associated with occupational stressors encountered by wildland firefighters}, journal = {Applied Ergonomics}, volume = {43}, year = {2012}, month = {01/2012}, abstract = {

To curtail the spread of wildfire, firefighters are often required to work long hours in hot, smoky conditions with little rest between consecutive shifts. In isolation, heat, smoke, and sleep disruption can have a detrimental impact on cognitive and physical abilities. Far less is known, however, about the combined impact that heat, smoke, and sleep disruption can have on firefighters{\textquoteright} performance during wildfire suppression or on human performance in general. The available literature, though scant, suggests that audio and visual tracking may be degraded after sustained heat exposure following one night of sleep deprivation. Exposure to heat and carbon monoxide, in contrast, appears to have only limited impact on cognitive performance, even after physical exercise. Heat and carbon monoxide exposure does, however, increase physiological exertion to a given work or exercise bout. To the authors{\textquoteright} knowledge, there are no published studies that have explored the impacts of heat exposure following sleep disruption on physical work performance, sleep disruption and smoke exposure on physical or cognitive work, or the combined impacts of sleep disruption, smoke and heat exposure on cognitive or physical work. While more integrative research is needed, the current review provides a summary of the available evidence and an indication of the degree of confidence agencies can have in the research. This will allow both the scientific community and agencies to make informed recommendations regarding the management of wildland firefighters{\textquoteright} health and safety on the fireground.

}, doi = {10.1016/j.apergo.2011.12.013}, author = {Brad Aisbett and Alexander Wolkow and Sprajcer, M. and Susan Ferguson} } @proceedings {BF-3049, title = {Design of a valid simulation for researching physical, physiological and cognitive performance in volunteer firefighters during bushfire deployment.}, year = {2011}, publisher = {R.P. Thornton (Ed) 2011, {\textquoteleft}Proceedings of Bushfire CRC \& AFAC 2010 Conference Science Day{\textquoteright} 1 September 2011, Sydney Australia, Bushfire CRC}, address = {Sydney, Australia}, issn = {978-0-9806759-9-3}, author = {Susan Ferguson and Brad Aisbett and Sarah M Jay and Katrina Onus and Cara Lord and Sprajcer, M. and Matthew JW Thomas} } @inbook {BF-1087, title = {Regional Real-Time Smoke Prediction Systems}, booktitle = {Developments in Environmental Science}, volume = {8}, year = {2009}, author = {Susan O{\textquoteright}Neil and Narasimhan, K. Larkin and Hoadley, Jeanne and Graham A. Mills and Vaughan, K. Joseph and Draxler, Roland and Rolph, Glenn and Ruminski, Mark and Susan Ferguson} } @book {BF-2384, title = {Developments in Environmental SciencesWildland Fires and Air PollutionChapter 22 Regional Real-Time Smoke Prediction Systems}, volume = {8}, year = {2008}, pages = {499 - 534}, publisher = {Elsevier}, organization = {Elsevier}, abstract = {Several real-time smoke prediction systems have been developed worldwide to help land managers, farmers, and air quality regulators balance land management needs against smoke impacts. Profiled here are four systems that are currently operational for regional domains for North America and Australia, providing forecasts to a well-developed user community. The systems link fire activity data, fuels information, and consumption and emissions models, with weather forecasts and dispersion models to produce a prediction of smoke concentrations from prescribed fires, wildfires, or agricultural fires across a region. The USDA Forest Service{\textquoteright}s BlueSky system is operational for regional domains across the United States and obtains prescribed burn information and wildfire information from databases compiled by various agencies along with satellite fire detections. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) smoke prediction system is initialized with satellite fire detections and is operational across North America. Washington State University{\textquoteright}s ClearSky agricultural smoke prediction system is operational in the states of Idaho and Washington, and burn location information is input via a secure Web site by regulators in those states. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology smoke prediction system is operational for regional domains across Australia for wildfires and prescribed burning. Operational uses of these systems are emphasized as well as the approaches to evaluate their performance given the uncertainties associated with each system{\textquoteright}s subcomponents. These real-time smoke prediction systems are providing a point of interagency understanding between land managers and air regulators from which to negotiate the conflicting needs of ecological fire use while minimizing air quality health impacts.}, doi = {10.1016/S1474-8177\%2808\%2900022-3}, author = {Susan O{\textquoteright}Neil and N Larkin and Hoadley, Jeanne and Graham A. Mills and Vaughan, K. Joseph and Draxler, Roland and Rolph, Glenn and Ruminski, Mark and Susan Ferguson} }