The research poster display was a highlight of the AFAC16 Research Forum.
More than 2300 people from Australia and New Zealand’s emergency services met last week in Brisbane to discuss the latest in disaster-related research and experience. Source: BNHCRC
With more than 100 speakers on the program, the AFAC16 powered by INTERSCHUTZ conference is the largest emergency management conference in the region. The three days featured key speakers from across emergency services, research organisations and industry. Speakers covered topics such as: flood fatalities, cyclone forecasting, building better for cyclones, bushfire modelling, diversity in emergency management and mitigation policy.
AFAC CEO Stuart Ellis said the conference would help emergency services and land management organisations redefine their role in protecting and supporting local communities.
“AFAC16 brought together global emergency management experts to share insights on how we can improve the balance of resources across mitigation, response and recovery. It is vital that across Australasia we are resilient in the face of disaster, and it is our emergency managers and researchers who are at the forefront of creating this resilience,” said Mr Ellis.
The conference commenced with a dedicated Research Forum, highlighting how the latest research and scientific developments into natural hazards would benefit emergency managers. A diverse range of research was on show, said the CEO of the Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre, Dr Richard Thornton.
“Emergency and land managers benefited greatly by engaging directly with researchers on key industry issues. There is no silver bullet for natural hazards safety, and we must continue to ask the difficult and complex questions to identify what we do not know,” said Dr Thornton.
For the first time, AFAC partnered with INTERSHUTZ, Europe’s largest trade fair for fire rescue, civil protection and security. The partnership with INTERSCHUTZ organisers, Deutsche Messe, attracted a number of international companies, many of whom exhibited in Australia for the first time.
Live demonstrations allowed attendees to experience firsthand the latest developments in emergency equipment and technology. Each day of the exhibition, The Australian Road and Rescue Organisation demonstrated innovative car rescue techniques during a live simulation.
