Research

The RFS is committed to engaging in research that will provide a better understanding of how the community prepares for and responds to the threat of fire.

The RFS partners with external organisations, research institutions and government agencies to support this research.

Below is some of the research we are currently involved with.

Current Research Projects

Bushfire risk at the rural–urban interface

Rural–urban interfaces are areas of high-risk exposure to fire. This project involves our Bush Fire Risk Planning unit and explores the changing characteristics of vegetation in disturbed areas in the rural–urban interface. It will improve our understanding of extreme fire behaviours in fragmented interface fuels (patch and corridor).

Use this NHRA link to learn more about the project.

Awareness, education and communication for compound natural hazards

Our Community Engagement unit is an end-user for this project that will define and identify the nature of compound disasters, their characteristics, and how a greater frequency of natural hazard events may alter vulnerability and exposure.

Use this NHRA link to learn more about the project.

Fire case studies

This project will systematise and consolidate existing fire case study methodology to enable quicker results in future, with potential benefits including response to official enquiries. It involves the RFS in partnership with the BOM, Department of Fire and Emergency Services WA and the Country Fire Authority.

Use this NHRA link to learn more about the project.

Capturing uncertainty in bushfire spread prediction

This UOW project aims to develop a rate of spread model that can be operationally deployed and work in conjunction with NSW Rural Fire Service and other fire agency existing systems. Our Predictive Services unit is leading the end-user groups to ensure the research is fit for purpose.

Use this NHRA link to learn more about the project.

Research Enquiry

The RFS welcomes enquiries from research project team members.

Enquiries can be submitted to the RFS Risk and Research team at riskandresearch@rfs.nsw.gov.au

Previous Research Projects and Reports

2019-20 bush fire season

The NSW RFS engaged the Bushfire & Natural Hazards CRC to conduct research into the 2019-20 bush fire season.

This research investigated how people across NSW were affected by the bush fires and what actions they took. Themes covered in this research include risk communication, preparedness and how this changed due to the length of the fire season, and the experiences of tourists and visitors, especially during the Christmas and New Year period. Due to the COVID-19 situation, online and telephone research took place with impacted communities.

You can read about the research and the findings here.

March 2018 Bega Valley Bush Fires

In March 2018, unseasonable conditions hit the south coast of NSW with a large and destructive bush fire burning in the Bega Valley area. The fire heavily impacted on the coastal township of Tathra.

The NSW RFS engaged the Bushfire & Natural Hazards CRC to conduct community research. The research focused on community preparation, communications and warnings, and actions taken by the community.

You can read about the research and findings here.