AFAC and Bushfire CRC conference wrap
Opposite: (L–R) Vijith Randeniya of the West Midlands Fire Service in the UK, Philip Stittleburg of the La Farge Fire Department in the US, and Laurie Lavelle (retired) of the Emergency Services Foundation on the panel ‘Collaboration—what can be achieved?’
AFAC & Bushfire CRC Annual Conference
The AFAC and Bushfire CRC conference was one of the best yet, representing a milestone for the partner organisations of the conference. Top-quality keynote speakers and sessions were accompanied by award presentations that recognised some of our best researchers and practitioners.
“The conference is well worth attending.” Above: Craig Lapsley, Fire Services Commissioner of Victoria. Above right: MFB demonstrate its unmanned aerial vehicle. Above far right: Magic at the 20th Gala Dinner.
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he leading knowledge-sharing event for fire, land management and emergency services, the annual AFAC & Bushfire CRC conference, was attended by nearly 2,000 delegates in Melbourne from 2–5 September, making it the largest all-hazards conference in Australasia. With delegates attending from around Australia, the US, the UK, New Zealand, Israel, South Africa and the Pacific Islands, delegates had the opportunity to network, share knowledge and collaborate on international matters.
Celebrating partnerships
The theme of this year’s conference Shaping Tomorrow Together recognised the need for emergency services to work together collaboratively with the community and
“Keep up the excellent work. Your use of the web services awed me as this is new and the experience and exposure to be able to make information and registration readily accessed added to the value you delivered with your overall conference program.” 26 | Fire Australia
Spring 2013
other partners from the education, health, business and research sectors, and all levels of government, to shape our future. Victorian Fire Services Commissioner Craig Lapsley said the timing of the conference was important for the sector. “As we move towards an integrated, all-hazards and all-emergencies model of emergency management, it is more important than ever to share and build on existing and new knowledge to ensure the fire and emergency management sector statewide and across Australia continuously improves the way we operate together for the benefit of the community,” Mr Lapsley said. Bushfire CRC Chairman Len Foster highlighted the successful partnership between AFAC and the Bushfire CRC. “It’s important to reflect on this partnership as it has been crucial to the success of both organisations. The successful integration of research into agency culture wouldn’t be possible without it, as the research needs have been driven by the end users,” Mr Foster said.
Sessions and presentations
The latest research into fire and natural hazards was presented during the Research Forum, which kicked off the conference. Showing why research and innovation were vital precursors for safer