A university, non-government organisation and local council partnership was formed to map the Blue Mountains community in relation to vulnerable people in daily life and in times of emergency. Soon after the project launch the October 2013, fires broke out in Yellow Rock, Winmalee and Mt Victoria, directly affecting hundreds of households. 

The Community Connections research involved a survey sent to all ratepayers in the Blue Mountains, and interviews and focus groups with community members. Over 1100 surveys were completed and returned. Findings indicate that, in some areas, ‘shared responsibility’ actually becomes ‘shades of grey’ as vulnerable community members become confused between the ‘community engagement’ activities of the emergency services and the lack of individual assistance when disaster strikes. Vulnerable community members who lack connections to assist them in emergencies include the aged, financially disadvantaged, single-parent families, households without a car, people living alone and people with chronic illnesses.
The pressing question is: Who is responsible for appropriately identifying and assisting the vulnerable in a crisis situation? Community organisations are recognised in the National Strategy and are seen as sharing responsibility for disaster resilience. This sector, however, is not often invited to the table of disaster committees and bodies. In particular, community organisations could play a part in strengthening community resilience through their work with the most vulnerable members of the community. This paper explores the Blue Mountain experience.