The Bushfire Co-operative Research Centre and RMIT University’s Centre for Risk and Community Safety are collecting information from February’s fires that will supplement the work of the Bushfire CRC Research Taskforce.

Key questions to be answered by the survey include: How was the Prepare, Stay and Defend or Leave Early policy understood and used in fire-prone communities on February 7? Were fire warnings adequate and how could warning systems be improved?

Bushfire CRC research director Dr Richard Thornton said the research undertaken by the taskforce was unprecedented internationally.

“By completing the survey, residents will be making an important contribution to the work that is under way across Australia and in other fire-prone areas of the world to improve the safety of those threatened by bushfires,” Dr Thornton said.

During the next few weeks, 6000 households in fire-affected areas across Victoria will receive the survey in the mail.

Residents in fire-affected areas who do not receive a survey in the mail but would like to participate may request a copy from Joshua Whittaker on 9925 2418.