AFAC24 explored the theme ‘Embracing innovation and disruption: Designing the future for our sector.’ 

The theme highlighted the need for fire and emergency services to adapt in order to be prepared for the future, by finding new solutions, and utilising new research and technology.

Find out how we can foster new thinking to ensure we are prepared for the challenges of the future by exploring the videos below from AFAC24 presenters and participants. 

Keynote speakers

Inspiring keynote speakers from the AFAC24 powered by INTERSCHUTZ conference program.

The emerging role of artificial intelligence for satellite fire monitoring Dr David Roy, Director, Center for Global Change and Earth Observations, Michigan State University	Innovative solutions in planning for climate change and risk Professor Barbara Norman, Emeritus Professor of Urban & Regional Planning, University of Canberra
Transformational Leadership: Innovation in a World of Change  Dr Lori Moore-Merrell DrPH, MPH, U.S. Fire Administrator, FEMA	The Fitzroy Valley Flood Recovery Working Group Douglas D'Antoine, Recovery Executive Officer, Shire of Derby West Kimberley, and Russell Chestnut, Gooniyandi Ranger Coordinator
Checkmate humanity: the how and why of responsible AI Dr Catriona Wallace, Adjunct Professor, Founder of Responsible Metaverse Alliance

Australian Disaster Resilience Conference

Speakers from the ADRC24 program focussing on ‘Maintaining momentum: driving systemic change to create a more resilient future.’

Australian Disaster Resilience Conference Dr Margaret Moreton, Executive Director, Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience	Tackling Australia’s silent killer: from hot policy to cool hubs Jon Swain, Manager Homelessness at the City of Sydney
Bushfire babies Dr Michelle Hamrosi and Kate Turtiainen, Australian Breastfeeding Association	Resilience ratings Sharanjit Paddam, Finity Consulting, and Kate Cotter, CEO and Founder of Resilient Building Council
Disaster resilience is built for the community by the community Catherine MacNamara and Karen Cody, Association of Bell Clarence & Dargan Inc	The Resilient Villages Project Kris Newton and Anne Crestani, Mountains Community Resource Network
Planning for Animals Handbook Dr Isabel Cornes, Senior Project Officer, Knowledge Development, Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience

Research and innovation 

Research projects and innovations that explore the big ideas and latest science driving change in the fire and emergency services.

Advancing disability inclusive disaster risk reduction Michelle Villeneuve, Associate Professor, University of Sydney, Centre for Disability Research and Policy	Pitchfest X-Prize contender - DeepFire  Supratik Mukhopadhyay, Louisiana State University
Pitchfest X-Prize contender - AkulaTech Preetham Akula, AkulaTech	Pitchfest X-Prize contender - OroraTech Thomas Grubler, OroraTech
Streamlining collaboration Scott Colefax, Manager, Office of the Chief Scientist NSW	Wildfire & AI Elisabeth Goh, Independent Researcher
From tweets to tactical insights Ben Shepherd, Manager Media and Communications, NSW Rural Fire Service, and Thomas Hart, Customer Solutions Manager, Kablamo	Changing evacuation behaviour to meet densified housing needs for the population  Professor Daniel Nilsson, University of Canterbury
Watt a Façade! Building Integrated Photovoltaics Approval Blair Stratton, Director, RED Fire Engineers	US Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate Daniel Cotter, US Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate

Safe and capable workforce

Building safer and more inclusive workplaces for a stronger fire and emergency services sector. 

Embracing our positive duty under the Sex Discrimination Act Anna Cody, Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission	Embracing our positive duty under the Sex Discrimination Act Matt Longland, CEO of Sydney Trains
Embracing our positive duty under the Sex Discrimination Act Sally Woolford, SA Fire and Emergency Services Commission	Volunteer leaders of the future Hannah Mercer, Manager Workforce Planning & Programs, NSW Rural Fire Service, and Paul Cunningham, Senior Advisor Program Development, NSW Rural Fire Service

AFAC Pacific Partnership Group

AFAC Pacific Partnership Group Barry Gray, Fire Rescue Victoria	Emergency Management Cook Islands Ella Napara, Emergency Management Cook Islands
Fire and Emergency Authority Samoa Commissioner Tanuvasa Petone, Fire and Emergency Authority Samoa	Tonga Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Viliami Tu'ihalamaka, Tonga Fire and Emergency Services

Supporting resilient communities

Collaborating and connecting to develop strategies and take action to reduce disaster risk and support resilient communities.

Partnerships for Infrastructure Liesl Keam, Partnerships for Infrastructure	Examination of the Türkiye earthquake urban search and rescue response Tim Hassiotis, Superintendent ND, Fire and Rescue NSW
The journey for surf lifesavers since Black Summer Cheryl McCarthy, Emergency Management Coordinator, Surf Life Saving NSW	The impacts of bushfires on flood preparedness and response Gillian Webber, Coordinator, Risk Assessment Team, NSW State Emergency Service, and Helen Kirkup, Senior Meteorologist, Bureau of Meteorology
Warning people about the fires hiding in plain sight Kelley Toy, Manager Marketing, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, and Craig Pollock, Marketing Advisor, Fire and Emergency New Zealand	A totally PAWsome partnership Gary White, Manager Community Engagement Unit, Fire and Rescue NSW