Compliance with preparedness and early evacuation guidelines: An analysis of responsibility, disaster literacy, and situated agency in an Australian bushfire

This article examines community resilience through a case study of a community in Australia affected by bushfire in 2024. Drawing on 28 interviews with residents, we analyse preparedness practices and response decisions. In Victoria, Australia, where the community is situated, residents of fire-prone areas receive recommendations concerning preparedness and response from the Country Fire Authority (CFA). Resident interviews explore the extent to which individuals adhere to the guidance provided. The findings reveal both compliance with and divergence from official recommendations. Residents actively engaged in practical, strategic, and relational preparedness measures, yet did not follow guidance to evacuate early during the response phase. Instead, the residents’ response was shaped by evolving personal risk assessments based on the triangulation of available information. While guidelines and warnings were taken seriously, they were integrated into locally grounded processes of decision-making. The study argues that noncompliance reflects the evaluation of situated agency supported by disaster literacy. Reframing preparedness and response expectations to account for variability and adaptive strategies can strengthen the effectiveness of disaster risk management. The findings underscore the importance of enhancing disaster literacy and developing frameworks that balance institutional guidance with community situated agency, thereby promoting more realistic expectations and pathways to resilience.