The missing link in emergency management: evaluating community engagement

Article

Taylor, Maureen, Ryan, Barbara and Johnston, Kim. 2020. "The missing link in emergency management: evaluating community engagement." The Australian Journal of Emergency Management. 35 (1), pp. 45-52.
Article Title

The missing link in emergency management: evaluating community engagement

ERA Journal ID36014
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsTaylor, Maureen (Author), Ryan, Barbara (Author) and Johnston, Kim (Author)
Journal TitleThe Australian Journal of Emergency Management
Journal Citation35 (1), pp. 45-52
Number of Pages8
Year2020
PublisherEmergency Management Australia
Place of PublicationAustralia
ISSN1324-1540
2204-2288
Web Address (URL)https://knowledge.aidr.org.au/resources/ajem-january-2020-the-missing-link-in-emergency-management-evaluating-community-engagement/
Abstract

Community engagement programs in Australia are widely adopted by emergency management organisations as one way to get communities to recognise hazards and risks and prepare for emergency events. However, evaluation of these programs remains a challenge. A study with 30 community engagement practitioners and managers from Australian emergency management organisations, councils and not-for-profit organisations was undertaken to examine how they use measurement and evaluation of community engagement for preparedness. The findings suggest that while community engagement teams understand the importance of measuring the effects of engagement efforts and preparedness activities, most still do not link engagement activities with higher-level engagement outcomes that influence communities.

KeywordsCommunity engagement; measurement; evaluation; preparedness; hazard
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020470199. Communication and media studies not elsewhere classified
Public Notes

© Copyright AIDR

Byline AffiliationsUniversity of Technology Sydney
University of Southern Queensland
Queensland University of Technology
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
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