The report reviewed a range of international, national and Sydney specific literature and undertook interviews with relevant lead emergency management agencies. The report synthesised findings and undertook a gap analysis. The report related largely to the resilience interrelationships of disaster risk reduction; emergency management; and community development. It also mapped the relevant legislation and governance arrangements in New South Wales.  The three key issues identified as pressing for Sydney from the interviews with the emergency agencies representatives: 1) increased workload and strain on capacity; 2) declining volunteerism; and 3) uncertainty as to the effects and community response to hazards. The report notes that climate change may drive organisational change within emergency management – requiring a shared culture that supports a willingness to further develop strategic integration and coordination across agencies.  Aspects of community development that are increasingly being viewed as critical to emergency management are volunteerism; social capital formation and disaster behavioural psychology. The report noted that no major studies were able to be sourced in relation to emergency management volunteerism, social capital formation or community disaster resilience in Sydney.  In relation to flooding in Sydney, there is increasing potential risk to infrastructure. The report outlines that it is an imperative that emergency agencies have access to data from all infrastructure owners to enable future emergency planning in flood prone lands.  There are generally gaps in research relating to recovery from disasters, potentially due to no major natural disasters in Sydney for over 10 years, but noting the research may come under other banners such as social work and health. Lower extent of research into heatwave and coastal erosion/inundation compared to flooding and bushfire. Lower level of research into the preparedness of communities / businesses in Sydney.

1. Towards a Resilient Sydney
– Research Seminar
EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT
Neil Dufty

2. quote
“The Chinese use two brush strokes to
write the word ‘crisis’. One brush stroke
stands for danger; the other for
opportunity. In a crisis be aware of the
danger – but recognise the opportunity”
John F. Kennedy
Molino Stewart 2

3. scope
Climate change profiles
Fire
Flood
Coastal inundation
Heatwave
Storm
Drought
PPRR
Prevention
Preparedness
Response
Recovery
Molino Stewart 3

4. research process
 Agency interviews
 Research review & synthesis
- Sydney
- National
- International
 Governance mapping
 Gaps analysis
 Identify research projects
Molino Stewart 4

5. key vulnerabilities/issues
Molino Stewart 5

6. key vulnerabilities/issues
Flood: is it risky? (Fairfield LGA)
Molino Stewart 6

7. key
vulnerabilities/issues
Flood: are we prepared? (Fairfield LGA)
Molino Stewart 7

8. key
vulnerabilities/issues
Molino Stewart 8

9. impact of climate change
- agency concerns
 Increased workload and strain on
capacity
 Declining volunteerism
 Uncertainty as to the effects and
community response to hazards
Molino Stewart 9

10. gaps analysis-
Sydney Region research
Hazard Prevention Preparedness Response Recovery
Flood High Med High Low
Fire High Med High Low
Heatwave Low Low Low Low
Coastal
Med Low Med None
inundation
Molino Stewart 10

11. emerging
research/issues
Top three?
Individual psychologies –
preparedness, response, recovery
Importance of social capital in
community disaster resilience
How people learn for disaster resilience
including by using social media
Molino Stewart 11

12. key research
recommendations
1. Understand the increased capacities
(including of volunteers)
2. Examine future Sydney demographics
3. Gauge community preparedness etc
4. Examine implications of roles of local
councils in EM
5. Identify ways to measure and build
community disaster resilience
Molino Stewart 12

13. key research
recommendations
6. Investigate community development
and EM links across hazards
7. Examine PPRR for future heatwave
8. Identify best practices in recovery
across hazards
9. Examine role of the private sector e.g.
business continuity planning
Molino Stewart 13