Preparedness Is More Than a Plan
Why wellbeing must sit at the centre of how we prepare for disaster
Across Australia, disasters are no longer rare or unexpected. Bushfires, floods, storms, heatwaves and prolonged uncertainty have become part of the landscape we live and work in. Communities have learned the hard way that preparedness is essential. We talk about emergency kits, evacuation routes, communication plans and response systems. All of these matter.
But there is a critical piece of preparedness that is still too often overlooked.
The wellbeing of the people inside the plan.
Preparedness is not just a logistical exercise. It is a human one. When disaster hits, it does not just test infrastructure and assets. It tests decision making, emotional capacity, relationships, leadership and community connection. If we want people and communities to respond effectively and recover well, wellbeing cannot be an afterthought. It must be built in from the start.
This is where the Unbreakable Wheel of Wellbeing offers a powerful framework for preparedness.
Preparedness is about capacity, not fear
Fear based planning only takes us so far. It can create urgency, but it does not build long term capacity. Preparedness grounded in wellbeing does something different. It equips people to cope, adapt and recover when things do not go to plan.
The Unbreakable Wheel of Wellbeing reminds us that wellbeing is not one dimensional. It is made up of interconnected domains. When one area is compromised, the whole system feels it. Disaster preparedness is strongest when it considers the full wheel.
Mental and emotional wellbeing
Disasters bring uncertainty, pressure and cumulative stress. Even before physical impacts are felt, people experience anxiety, poor sleep, irritability and a sense of loss of control. For many, previous trauma resurfaces.
Preparedness includes helping people understand how stress shows up for them, recognising early warning signs and knowing when and how to seek support. Normalising these conversations before a crisis builds psychological capacity and reduces stigma when people need help most.
Connection and community
Connection is one of the strongest protective factors we have. Communities that know each other respond better and recover faster. Preparedness improves when neighbours check in on neighbours, when leaders know who may be vulnerable, and when people feel safe to ask for help.
Isolation increases risk during disasters. Strong social connections increase safety, clarity and collective problem solving. Preparedness is not just individual. It is shared.
Safety, environment and routine
Clear plans, safe environments and predictable routines provide stability during chaos. Knowing what to do, where to go and who is responsible reduces panic and cognitive overload.
Preparedness planning should consider not only physical safety, but how to maintain small routines where possible. Familiarity creates a sense of control when everything else feels uncertain.
Purpose, work and identity
Disasters disrupt livelihoods, roles and routines. For many Australians, particularly in rural and regional communities, work is closely tied to identity and purpose. When that is threatened, the emotional impact can be profound.
Preparedness includes acknowledging this reality and planning for how people stay connected to purpose during disruption. Recovery is not just about rebuilding structures. It is about rebuilding meaning.
Physical health and energy
Fatigue, dehydration, disrupted sleep and physical exhaustion all impair judgement and increase emotional reactivity. In high stress situations, physical wellbeing directly affects decision making and safety.
Preparedness includes realistic conversations about rest, hydration, medication access and energy management. Looking after physical capacity is not a luxury. It is essential to effective response.
Embedding wellbeing into preparedness
Preparedness that ignores wellbeing places unrealistic expectations on people to simply cope when pressure peaks. Preparedness that includes wellbeing recognises human limits and plans accordingly.
This means:
Talking openly about mental health before crisis hits
Including wellbeing considerations in emergency planning
Ensuring support contacts are visible and accessible
Encouraging connection rather than isolation
Building capacity long before it is tested
Preparedness is not about eliminating risk. That is impossible. It is about strengthening people and communities so they are better equipped to face what comes.
Capacity before crisis
The next challenge will come. We do not know when or how, but we know it will test more than systems. It will test people.
When wellbeing sits at the centre of preparedness, people respond with greater clarity, compassion and resilience. They recover stronger, not just structurally, but emotionally and socially.
Preparedness is not just about surviving the next disaster.
It is about protecting the people within it.
And that starts with building capacity before crisis.