The AFAC24 powered by INTERSCHUTZ Conference and Exhibition celebrated its 30th anniversary on 3–6 September at the International Convention Centre Sydney. The event once more incorporated the Australian Disaster Resilience Conference and the Institution of Fire Engineers (Australia) National Conference.
Over the span of four days, more than 4,500 participants convened to partake in seven diverse streams of presentations and explore the offerings of over 230 exhibiting enterprises, collectively occupying a vast expanse of 18,000m2 on the exhibition floor.
Inside the exhibition, delegates could browse the impressive poster display at the AIDR Knowledge Centre, attend live demonstrations at the Demonstration Zone and listen and connect with presenters at the Solutions Theatre.
The conference commenced with the Research and Innovation Day, highlighted by Andrew Gissing, CEO of Natural Hazards Research Australia, who delivered the opening address. Dr David Roy, Director at the Center for Global Change and Earth Observations, Michigan State University, followed with a captivating keynote on the emerging role of artificial intelligence for satellite fire monitoring, a case study of the 2023 Maui wildfires, and implications for future satellite wildfire disaster monitoring.
Professor Barbara Norman, Emeritus Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Canberra followed suit with a presentation on innovative solutions in planning for climate change and risk and better connecting national policy and local action in Australia and the region to enable more sustainable outcomes.
Following a day of insightful presentations on cutting-edge research and innovation – including from Hugh Durrant-Whyte, NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer – attendees unwound during a networking event within the exhibition hall, rounding off the Research and Innovation Day.
On Day 2, the conference expanded to include the co-located Australian Disaster Resilience Conference and the Institution of Fire Engineers Australia Conference. After an illustrious opening ceremony, US Fire Administrator, Dr Lori Moore-Merrell DrPH, MPH delivered a remarkable keynote on transformational leadership and innovation in a world of change. Douglas D’Antoine, Recovery Executive Officer of the Shire of Derby West Kimberley, followed with an introspective presentation on recalibrating best practices and Aboriginality and the Fitzroy Valley Flood Recovery Working Group. These captivating addresses were followed by a divergence of attendees across the seven conference streams.
As Day 2 of AFAC24 drew to a close, delegates embraced the festive atmosphere of the event’s 30th Anniversary Jubilee Gala Dinner, complete with delectable cuisine, masquerade performers, dancing and exquisite views of Darling Harbour.
The final day of the conference kicked off with keynote speeches from notable figures: Adjunct Professor Catriona Wallace, Founder of the Responsible Metaverse Alliance and Shark on TV series Shark Tank Australia, who discussed responsible AI, and Brendan Moon AM, Coordinator General of the National Emergency Management Agency, who explored disruption as innovation and designing for risk in Australia.
After another day filled with enriching presentations, the conference concluded with a compelling closing panel discussion that reflected and celebrated the lived experience of emergency services and community members. The panel was moderated by Journalist, TV Producer, News Anchor and MC Jeremy Fernandez, and featured panel members including NSW Surf Life Saving volunteer Reece Dodds, rescue Adrian Stirling and NSW Rural Fire Service Inspector Nathan Barnden.
The week ended with the Professional Development Program, offering participants diverse opportunities, including field trips and forums that covered a wide spectrum of topics, ranging from UAV technology, flood impact and rescue, intelligent tools and resilience.
Next year, AFAC25 will take place in Perth, with the theme ‘From local to global: leveraging systems, capability and connection’. Abstract submissions will open later this year. AFAC expresses gratitude to its partners, host agencies and sponsors for their unwavering support of AFAC24. The full conference proceedings can be accessed at https://www.afac.com.au/events/proceedings.
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