Research Proposal, Instructor Approval

Problem Statement, Methodology, Research Plan Student's Name Institution Course Code and Course Name Professor’s Name Submission Date Introduction According to Moorehead (2023), conventionally, Texas was considered very vulnerable to wildfire incidents in most rural and rapidly spreading metropolitan areas. However, fluctuating weather conditions, land use changes, and rapid population growth add to Texas's vulnerability. This changing landscape catalyzed the risks of wildfires in the most general sense-rural and urban areas alike (Moorehead, 2023). The need for effective disaster management becomes increasingly grave in the context of a growing population and unpredictability in weather conditions. Nature disasters cannot be prevented, but well-coordinated response mechanisms mitigate lost lives, property, and environmental damage. The Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) approach offers a practical solution by involving local communities in disaster preparedness and resilience-building activities (Londoño & Londoño, 2024). Specific to the context of wildfires faced by Texas, this community-driven approach to disaster preparedness, available responses, and thereby reducing recovery time has immense potential. This study reviews how CBDRM can improve resilience to wildfires in Texas, identifying strengths and areas needing improvement. Problem Statement Texas communities are becoming increasingly vulnerable due to population, land use change, and climate-related challenges. These efforts notwithstanding, Texas still experiences record losses in property, resources, and lives during wildfire seasons. Drastic cases include those in 2022, where over 12,411 wildfires burned 650,000 acres, claiming four lives and causing considerable damage to homes and critical infrastructure (Moorehead, 2023). While these events evoke a sense of praise for the firefighters and state agencies, at the same time, they reflect a systemic issue in responding effectively to wildfires with particular reference to community preparedness. The challenge relates to the difference between the current policies on wildfire management and the one that actively involves CBDRM. Community-based initiatives have shown effectiveness in building long-lasting resistance against wildfires while minimizing damages from wildfires. Purpose of the Research The study construes the efficiencies of the Community-Based Disaster Risk Management programs in raising the resilience against wildfires in Texas. The paper will examine how local communities better prepare and respond to wildfires through partnering efforts among state agencies and local leadership. The study attempts to draw lessons from case studies and comparative outcomes between regions that have rolled out CBDRM programs and those that have not as a way of deriving strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities regarding community-driven disaster preparedness. This study contributes to the existing literature on emergency and disaster management studies by providing evidence-based recommendations that might be useful in community resilience to natural disasters. This study also aims to support policy development through advanced community involvement by highlighting effective strategies in reducing loss of life and property damage, along with other economic impacts. The Hypothesis and Research Questions Hypothesis: The research hypothesizes that, in Texas communities with a well-implemented Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) program, wildfire incidents result in lesser property losses, loss of life, and recovery time than in non-CBDRM program communities. Research Questions: 1. ...