Engaging the community in natural hazards planning

Opper, S. (1997) presented to the NSW Conference on Open Government, Brighton-Le-Sands

The community is often quick to condemn a poor level of service from an agency it recognises as a public sector provider. In contrast, the voluntary emergency service agencies, not seen as such providers in the same way that, for example, the Police are, tend to be treated more leniently. This lenient treatment may also be the result of perceptions about their volunteer nature, particularly the aura of heroism that is, more and more, shrouding the participants.

In reality there are very few instances of true heroism in emergencies and I believe there is a very real risk of the term being devalued by the constant media hype and the unquestioning ease with which so many emergency workers accept being called a hero. For volunteers at least, this may stem from the fact that if you are a volunteer and don't get paid, one of the few rewards is praise. Perhaps this does not matter much but a closer inspection may reveal that it does. This community perception of volunteerism and heroism may create a convenient camouflage behind which an emergency service's poor preparation and lack of understanding of the actual needs of the community will not be seen.

The New South Wales (NSW) State Emergency Service (SES) is, like other government agencies with emergency management responsibilities, clearly a public sector provider. The SES is endeavouring to instil in SES volunteers the notion that they are volunteering to provide a service to the community based on best practice. The fact that they are volunteers should, in no way, imply that a lower standard of service or personal performance is acceptable. If you want to be called a professional, you have to deliver a professional level of service. You have to meet the needs of your community, engage in professional dialogue, and actively participate in strategic emergency management.

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