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Emergency response and recovery – the role of rural extension

Yvonne Orlando1, Greg Bell2, Don Shaw3

1 Capacity Building and Evaluation Unit, Department of Primary Industries, PO Box 103 Geelong Victoria 3220. yvonne.orlando@dpi.vic.gov.au
2
Sustainable Landscapes, Department of Primary Industries, PO Box 103 Geelong Victoria 3220. greg.bell@dpi.vic.gov.au
3
Capacity Building and Evaluation Unit, Department of Primary Industries, PO Box 43 Swifts Creek Victoria 3896. don.shaw@dpi.vic.gov.au

Abstract

Rural extension services in Victoria are focused on facilitating the practice change of land managers using a range of different approaches. However a recent review of Agriculture Development extension in Victoria also identified emergency response and recovery; community advocacy; delivering joined-up government services; and community capacity building as important complementary roles of rural extension.

This paper examines the important role rural extension services play in emergency management by comparing and contrasting three recently evaluated emergency management programs – Towong Emergency Drought Response, Omeo Flood - Restoring the Balance Program and Alpine Fires Bushfire Recovery Program. Key learnings from these case studies are presented to further the understanding and improvement of extension practice for emergency response.

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