A James Cook University study investigating Sudanese refugees
and their knowledge of fire safety has won a Safer Communities
Award from Emergency Management Australia (EMA).
“The Sudanese Refugees and Fire Hazard Study”, a
collaboration between Bushfire CRC researchers at JCU and the
Queensland Fire and Rescue Service, was conducted in Toowoomba,
which is home to about 800 Sudanese refugees.
The report found Sudanese that had recently arrived in Australia
did not know how to extinguish different types of fires and were
unfamiliar with the different types of electrical appliances in
Australia.
It generated a list of recommendations including that the QFRS
build a closer rapport with Queensland’s Sudanese community
and expand its education programs on emergency response and the
triple zero procedure.
Project leader Dr Alison Cottrell said the Sudanese community,
especially women, were keen to learn about fire safety so they
could protect their families in Australia.
She also said it was critically important to educate new
refugees.
“The research details what sort of information needs to be
included when welcoming refugees into the community,” she
said.
Dr Cottrell was thrilled with the award and said it was an
outstanding result for the Bushfire CRC.
“This award indicates JCU’s commitment to local,
state, and national issues and ways in which students can become
involved in projects that can benefit the community,” she
said.
Dr Cottrell is leader of Bushfire CRC project C1 Understanding
Communities. Katie Glasgow, a former JCU student in the School of
Tropical Environment Studies and Geography was the author of the
report.
The full report can be found here
Accepting the award in Brisbane: From left Fiona McKersie,
Director-General Queensland Department of Emergency Services, Tony
Pearce, Director-General Emergency Management Australia, Katie
Glasgow, Dr Alison Cottrell, Judy Newton, Manager Research QFRS,
Pat Purcell, Queensland Minister for Emergency Services.
