The frequency and severity of natural disasters in recent years in Australia and New Zealand has required relevant authorities to reconsider their approach to emergency management.  Consequently, major reforms are being implemented to reduce the risk to life and property from such disasters. One of the major elements of these reforms will be to better equip our communities to survive and recover from such situations.  There is now compelling evidence that resilient communities will respond more effectively to the threat of disasters and recover more quickly from the impact of these events.

Evidence gleaned from several post-disaster surveys tells us that many in our communities have a high level of expectation that the authorities will do whatever is necessary to save them, even in the face of extreme risk to emergency service workers. This unrealistic expectation has created a significant level of community complacency that markedly increases risks to life and property.

A major challenge for government and the emergency services is to engage the community through strategies such as education programs and a long-term social marketing campaign to positively influence our communities to accept that the reduction of risk associated with natural disasters is everybody's business.