Making Preparedness a Normal Conversation

As headlines begin to appear about El Niño, hotter weather and what the coming bushfire season might bring, conversations have already begun about how our community, one of the world’s most at-bushfire-risk community (not a great title to have), may be impacted. For me, part researcher, part community house manager and full time MOTH, I find myself thinking less about the forecasts and more about the conversations we'll have as a community over the coming months.

Every year, as conditions become drier or a Total Fire Ban is declared, the same questions begin to appear in online communities in our area.

"Should we already have our bags packed?", "Are other families changing their weekend plans?", "Would you send your children to school tomorrow?", "Are we overreacting?"

I see these questions as less about the weather, and more about people and what everyone else is doing.

As humans, we naturally look to those around us to help us understand uncertainty. These social norms, the unwritten cues we take from others about what is normal, expected and acceptable, are a huge part of living in a community. We’re calmer when see others being calm and become more alert when we see others become anxious. Importantly, if people are preparing early, we're more likely to prepare ourselves too.

The one situation that scares me most however, is this one: if someone is ridiculed for asking a question, others quietly stop asking theirs too.

That's why the conversations that happen in our local online communities matter so much. When someone asks whether they should prepare, they usually not looking for someone to predict the future. What they're actually looking for is reassurance that it's okay to think ahead.

On the one hand, if the response is, "You're overreacting," or "The media is just fearmongering," we risk creating a culture where people feel embarrassed to prepare. On the other hand, endless worst-case scenarios and dramatic speculation can leave people feeling anxious, overwhelmed and unsure where to begin. Worse still during a season of relentless high fire risk days, is when worst-case scenarios don’t eventuate, the sheer exhaustion of being on edge can result in people disengaging with the risk altogether.

All of it is dangerous.

I believe that the healthiest communities aren't the ones that dismiss risk, nor the ones that amplify fear, but the ones where people feel comfortable asking questions, uncertainty is acknowledged and where respectful discussion is encouraged. Where preparing early is seen as something sensible rather than something to be mocked.

Research consistently shows that our decisions during emergencies are influenced by those around us. During COVID-19, online communities played an important role in reinforcing behaviours like staying home when sick, checking on neighbours and protecting vulnerable people. Bushfire preparedness is no different. The conversations we have today help shape the decisions we'll make tomorrow.

MOTHs is interested in this conversation firstly due to our strong online presence, but also because this is a very gendered situation. Australian bushfire research has shown that decisions within households are rarely straightforward. Family members can have very different ideas about when to leave, whether to stay and defend, or whether preparations are even necessary. These conversations are much easier when they're happening around the dinner table in August than in the driveway with smoke on the horizon. They’d become even easier if our culture made these conversations easy to have anywhere, anytime regardless of the location, be it the pub, the footy pitch or the playground.

That’s is why I believe trusted local online communities also have an important role to play, not as emergency services, but as places where preparedness becomes normal, asking questions is welcomed, official information is shared and misinformation is challenged respectfully.

What Are We Doing?

At Mums of the Hills, that's the culture we'd like to continue building this season. Over the coming months, we'll be sharing practical ideas from official sources to help families prepare. We’re also looking at ways to help moderators manage groups during bushfire seasons. Ultimately, we want moderators to foster respectful preparedness conversations, encourage evidence-informed decision-making in the days leading up to high fire-risk days. We know that this is easier said than done as every online group has a different culture, expectations and moderating styles. It’s going to be an interesting journey of discovery, but at it’s heart is desire to make our communities safer, online and off. Watch this space.

If you run a local online group and would like to be involved, please get in touch.

What you can do to foster these conversations respectfully in your community and online

As bushfire season approaches, there are a few simple ways we can all help.

Welcome questions: If someone asks whether it's time to prepare or shares that they're feeling concerned, assume they're looking for guidance, not judgement. Curiosity should always be encouraged.

Share trusted information: When discussing bushfire risk or changing conditions, rely on credible, official or verifiable sources. If you're unsure whether something is accurate, it's okay to say “I don’t know”.

Acknowledge uncertainty: None of us knows exactly how a season will unfold. We can prepare without claiming certainty and discuss possibilities without creating unnecessary fear.

Avoid ridicule or dismissiveness : Comments like "you're overreacting" or "it's never going to happen" may discourage others from asking important questions. Equally, avoid sensational language that may heighten anxiety without helping people take practical action.

Normalise preparedness: Talk openly about updating your bushfire plan, checking your emergency kit or discussing your family's plans. The more these conversations become part of everyday life, the easier they become for others to have too.

Respect that every household is different : Families have different circumstances, experiences, responsibilities and risk tolerances. What feels right for one household may not be right for another. Respectful discussion allows everyone to make informed decisions that suit their own situation. Explaining how your circumstances have dictated your decision can also help people accept differences too.

Be kind: I realise that this sounds so simple, but online, it can be easy to forget. Behind every question is a person trying to make the best decision they can for themselves and the people they love. A thoughtful response today may give someone the confidence to prepare tomorrow.

Preparedness is about more than knowing what to do during an emergency. It's about creating communities where people feel safe to ask questions, learn from one another and make informed decisions together. The conversations we have today may shape the decisions we make when they matter most.