Speakers line up for AFAC16, Brisbane: 30 August_2 September

By the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience

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The latest emergency management knowledge and research will be showcased in Brisbane from 30 August to 2 September at AFAC16 powered by INTERSCHUTZ, the annual AFAC and Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC conference.

With the program now announced, more than 2000 delegates will come together to discuss the latest trends, innovations and challenges across all hazards. With some of the best international and national speakers, AFAC CEO Stuart Ellis believes AFAC16 will continue to develop Australia’s collective knowledge.

AFAC16 will provide an opportunity to discuss and share new approaches in an all-hazard emergency management environment, and seek out innovative and engaging ways that we can partner with the community, business, all levels of government and researchers to understand how they can get the balance right, between mitigation, response and recovery,’ Mr Ellis said.

The conference begins with a day dedicated to natural hazards science, with the Research Forum highlighting important discoveries from many CRC projects, as well as other scientists. It is a day to learn about the latest scientific developments that will benefit Australia’s emergency services, and is not just for researchers, said CRC CEO Dr Richard Thornton.

‘Research findings are starting to flow from the CRC in our third year, and the Research Forum presents a fantastic opportunity for all emergency management practitioners to learn about the range of ways CRC science will make a difference.

‘Our research is diverse – from optimising remotely sensed flood data, to fire modelling, to cyclone resilience, to policy and fire law, to name just a few examples – and this variety will be showcased at the Research Forum, as well as right through the conference week,’ Dr Thornton said.

Confirmed keynote and invited speakers include:

• Katarina Carroll, Commissioner Queensland Fire and Emergency Services
• Rhoda Mae Kerr, Chief of the Austin Fire Department in the US and President of the Board of Directors of the International Association of Fire Chiefs
• Dr Jeff Kepert of the Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research and CRC project leader
• Frankie Carroll, Director-General of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning, Queensland
• Iain Mackenzie, Queensland’s inaugural Inspector-General Emergency Management
• Jona Olsson, Founder and director of Cultural Bridges to Justice and Chief of the Latir Volunteer Fire Department, New Mexico, USA
• Dr David Henderson, Director of the Cyclone Testing Station at James Cook University and CRC project leader.

The conference will also feature an immersive trade exhibition, the biggest yet thanks to a new partnership with Hannover Fairs Australia. The conference will close with a series of post-conference development sessions.

This year also sees AFAC16 partner with the Women and Firefighting Australasia conference, with a stream dedicated specifically to women in firefighting.

View the full program and register at afacconference.com.au.