Comprehensive evacuation planning can mean the difference between life and death when disasters hit. In this episode we explore the complexities and considerations of large-scale evacuation in the face of natural disasters.To get a better understanding of the operational evacuation elements, we speak to Victorian Emergency Management Commissioner, Craig Lapsley, about the December 2015 Wye River bushfires. Dr Sarah McCaffrey, a researcher with the United States Forest Service, then unpacks the social aspects of fire management, particularly risk perception and effective communication with communities. CEO of Emergency Media and Public Affairs, Peter Rekers, then discusses the importance of communication in emergency management planning and gives us a taste of what’s happening at this year’s Emergency Management Public Affairs conference.With the 2016 Resilient Australia Awards now open, we also speak to Ramana James from IAG to learn what’s happened with his company’s innovative project, since being recognised in last year’s awards.