Community-Based Emergency Planning: An Autoethnographic Approach to Exploring the Barriers and Solutions

This research explores the barriers and solutions that inhibit and help existing community-based emergency planning programs achieve their goals. It focuses on Victorian rural and regional communities and the agencies and programs that aid these communities prepare for natural disasters such as fire and flood. The research examines key definitions and policy directions through a literature review. Data and observations are examined through the lens of the author’s experience and through presentation and analysis of three case studies of rural community groups working through emergency planning. The findings of the research reveal the barriers and solutions to community-based emergency planning.