Sharing insights to recovery from the 2019-20 bushfires

The Australasian Institute of Emergency Services provides a voice for the Emergency Services, to speak on issues that affect members and the community in general. The Australasian Women in Emergencies network is an organisation that aims to promote, support and recognise the contributions of women in emergency management and disaster resilience across Australasia

This online event is a chance for AIES and AWE members to meet and mingle. There will be a couple of short presentations about recovery from the 2019-20 bushfires, and then opportunities for discussion with attendees across both organisations.

The 2019-20 fires were the largest in recorded history, and their impact was staggering. The statistics that can be agreed upon are that over 24 million hectares across Australia were burnt, as were over 3000 houses. Fire was directly responsible for the deaths of 33 people, and between 1-3 billion animals. The ongoing health issues from fires and smoke (both physical and mental) are unable to be quantified. It is likely that they were further compounded by further disastrous floods and the Covid pandemic.

What are your insights into recovery from the 2019-20 bushfires? How do they compare with others' insights from across the emergency and disaster risk reduction sectors?

Image: Back burning during the Black Range Fires, NSW 2019. Zoe D'Arcy.