AFAC22 powered by INTERSCHUTZ a stunning return to in-person conferencing

from Fire Australia Magazine | Issue 4 2022

Movers and shakers

Fireworks over the Adelaide Convention Centre during the gala dinner.

PHOTO: AFAC

Held in person for the first time since 2019, the AFAC22 powered by INTERSCHUTZ Conference and Exhibition took place on 23–26 August at the Adelaide Convention Centre.

The poster display at the Australian Institute for DIsaster Resilience Knowledge Centre in the exhibition.

PHOTO: AFAC

MOLLY PRICE

AFAC

Over 3,200 attendees gathered across four days to attend seven streams of presentations and visit 193 exhibiting companies occupying over 4,000 square meters of floor space for AFAC22 powered by INTERSHUTZ.

Conference proceedings kicked off with the Research Day, supported by Natural Hazards Research Australia. Professor Raina MacIntyre, Head of the Biosecurity Program, Professor of Global Security at the Kirby Institute and National Health and Medical Research Council Principal Research Fellow, gave an enthralling opening keynote address on COVID-19, pandemics, and where to go from here. Dr Robert Glasser, Head of the Climate and Security Policy Centre, Australian Strategic Policy Centre, followed with a presentation on addressing the Indo-Pacific’s rapidly emerging climate and security risk.

After four streams of engaging presentations covering the latest in research and innovation, delegates enjoyed a networking function in the exhibition hall to close out the Research Day and explore the incredible display of technology and innovation on offer from the exhibiting companies.

On Day 2, the conference expanded to include the co-located Australian Disaster Resilience Conference and the Institution of Fire Engineers Australia Conference. Gill Hicks, Founder of M.A.D. for Peace, and Jim Pauley, President and CEO, National Fire Protection Association, presented insightful keynote addresses before delegates split across the seven conference streams.

At the end of the second day, delegates attended the festival-themed ‘Taste of South Australia’ Gala Dinner, complete with food stalls, fortune tellers, live music, and even fireworks!

The third day of conference proceedings began with a keynote address from Lucas Pratchett and Nic Marchesi, co-founders of Orange Sky Australia, the world’s first free mobile laundry service for people experiencing homelessness, who shared their story of starting Orange Sky and highlighted the importance of compassion and connection.

They were followed by Dr Niki Vincent, who spoke about her role as the Victorian Government Public Sector Gender Equality Commissioner, what can be applied to other jurisdictions, and the inequality that can be created by the emergency services’ traditionally ‘gender-neutral’ approach.

Following another full line-up of conference presentations, the day concluded with a closing panel on ‘More co-benefits than you can poke a stick at: organising arguments for mainstreaming disaster risk reduction’ with Professor Stephen Dovers (Director of the Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University), Carlene York APM (Commissioner, NSW State Emergency Service), Dr Kate Brady (National Recovery Adviser, Australian Red Cross Emergency Services), and Martijn Gough (Associate Director, Aither).

AFAC22 ended the week with the Professional Development Program. Delegates could choose between a range of field trips, workshops, and forums, on topics including lithium-ion battery fires, special technologies, resilience in the wine sector, community recovery, diverse careers in firefighting, and creative resilience.

Throughout the conference, delegates were able to explore the powered by INTERSCHUTZ Exhibition. Covering

Niki Vincent delivering her keynote address.

Jim Pauley delivering his keynote address.

PHOTO: AFAC over 4,000 square metres of occupied stands, the exhibition featured a comprehensive range of emergency management-related exhibiting organisations and was jam-packed with state-of-the-art equipment and technology, including robotics, virtual reality firefighting equipment, and a range of emergency vehicles.

Delegates visited the Expo Stage for practical presentations that included topics such as innovation, mental health, wellbeing, community, resilience, and personal protective equipment. In the live demonstration zone, visitors watched the Australasian Road Rescue Organisation demonstrate how a person is extricated from a wrecked vehicle after an accident.

In the heart of the exhibition hall was the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience Knowledge Centre, where delegates could browse the impressive display of over 100 posters and connect with presenters through the Meet the Speaker program.

PHOTO: AFAC

AFAC22 Awards

At the conference award ceremony, AFAC recognised the significant contribution that our members make to keeping communities safe. Award winners included: Senior Firefighter Clinton Pilon (Queensland Fire and Emergency

Services) was awarded the Laurie

Lavelle Award for his work on an Australasian youth fire safety awareness program Inspector Bruce Budge (Queensland

Fire and Emergency Services) won the AFAC Knowledge Innovation

Award for his groundbreaking program to improve training across emergency services in Queensland the Department of Fire and

Emergency Services WA won the

Stewart & Heaton Leading Practice in

Mental Health Award for their ‘Thriving at DFES’ mental health and wellbeing strategy and action plan.

AFAC thanks our partners, host agencies and sponsors for supporting AFAC22. The full conference proceedings can be viewed at www. afac.com.au/events/proceedings.

Next year, AFAC23 will take place in Brisbane, with the theme ‘Creating a sustainable future: the challenges and opportunities’. Visit www. afacconference.com.au to learn more and submit an abstract.