Mark Dobson

Mark Dobson

Active firefighter and Founder of Ordinary Courage

An active firefighter with more than 20 years of experience, Mark Dobson is the founder of Ordinary Courage, a workplace mental health consultancy.

Mark is a Churchill Fellow, a volunteer team manager for Disaster Relief Australia and a recipient of the Australian Fire Service Medal (2020) for his pioneering work supporting first responders’ mental health. Youi is proud to partner with Mark in the creation of this bushfire preparedness content.

Written by Mark Dobson

Australian volunteer firefighters
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Meet the Modern Australian Volunteer Firefighter

Numbers of Australian volunteer firefighters are declining, right when the country’s bushfire risk is rising.
Claire Burke, Mark Dobson, March 04, 2025
Volunteer firefighter
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More Volunteer Firefighters Needed for the Bushfire Season Ahead

Australia’s volunteer firefighter numbers are in decline, which is intensifying demands on rural fire services. Here’s what that means this fire season.
Mark Dobson, Emma Schafer, March 04, 2025
Veteran firefighters Jim Smith and Mark Dobson
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Introducing Jim Smith & Mark Dobson: Meet Our Bushfire Experts

Ordinary Courage's Jim Smith and Mark Dobson have teamed up with Youi to better physically and mentally prepare Australians for bushfire season.
Amanda Dardanis, Jim Smith, Mark Dobson, March 04, 2025
How to tell if you live in a bushfire prone area
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How to Know if You Live in a Bushfire-Prone Area

Australia’s bushfire prone areas are widening, due to increasingly hot and dry conditions. Find out if your home is impacted and what steps to take if it is.
Mark Dobson, Claire Burke, March 04, 2025
How climate change is affecting bushfire season
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How Climate Change is Affecting our Bushfire Seasons

Climate change is causing hotter, drier conditions in Australia, and increasing the risk of bushfire frequency, intensity and unpredictability.
Claire Burke, Jim Smith, Mark Dobson, March 04, 2025
How community resilience can help bushfire recovery in Australian towns like Pomonal
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Community Resilience: How Connection Helped a Town Survive Catastrophe

How community resilience can help bushfire recovery in Australian towns like Pomonal. Learn how to build strength and preparedness for future emergencies.
Chelsea Spresser, Mark Dobson, March 04, 2025
Australian bushfire season
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What Do We Know About the Coming Australian Bushfire Season?

Learn about the upcoming bushfire season, climate change impacts, risks in Australia and how to prepare your property during this high fire risk period.
Chelsea Spresser, Jim Smith, Mark Dobson, March 04, 2025
Emergency bushfire alerts
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Bushfire Alerts and Apps: The Technology to Help Keep You Safe

Your guide to the useful Australian bushfire apps and official emergency alerts you can access to help you prepare your home and family for bushfires.
Mark Dobson, Amanda Dardanis, March 04, 2025
Bushfire preparation tips to protect your home
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The Power of Bushfire Preparation: Stories from Real Life

Discover bushfire preparation tips to protect your home and family. Learn from experts and see real-life examples of why preparedness is important.
Chelsea Spresser, Mark Dobson, Jim Smith, March 04, 2025
How to prepare for a bushfire mentally
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How to Prepare Your Mind for a Bushfire

Being bushfire ready means knowing how to prepare for a bushfire psychologically. Here’s what to expect, plus tips on how to prepare children and face stress.
Amanda Dardanis, Jim Smith, Mark Dobson, March 04, 2025
Bushfire preparation
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Bushfire Preparation Jobs to Do This Weekend, This Month and This Year

Get ready for fire season with essential bushfire preparation tips. Learn what tasks to do this weekend, this month and this year to help you stay safe.
Jim Smith, Mark Dobson, Chelsea Spresser, March 04, 2025
Bushfire safety
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Bushfire Decision Time: Know When to Go

Australia faces intense bushfires, making leaving early your best bushfire safety plan. Here’s how to prepare your home and occupants to leave early.
Mark Dobson, Jim Smith, Amanda Dardanis, March 04, 2025