Creating a sustainable future: the challenges and opportunities
The AFAC23 powered by INTERSCHUTZ conference and exhibition in Brisbane is set to bring together distinguished scientists, policymakers and frontline leaders from around the world. The 28th annual AFAC conference, taking place 22–25 August at Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, will convene the world’s top experts on emergency management and resilience.
AFAC23 Conference and Exhibition powered by INTERSCHUTZ incorporates ADRC23, IFE23 and WAFA23 delivering eight streams of stellar line-up of speakers presenting innovative ideas, new perspectives and inspiring practices. Occupying over 15,000m2 of gross exhibition space with more than 150 exhibition companies, Australasia’s premier emergency management conference and exhibition is back in Brisbane for the first time since 2016.
The programme for this year’s AFAC23 powered by INTERSCHUTZ Conference and Exhibition is jam-packed with current topics such as cultural land management, inclusive emergency management, preparing for future risks, flood intelligence, community recovery, resilience across society, timber construction, women in emergency management and so much more. Taking place from 22 to 25 August 2023, conference tickets will offer attendees access to over 100 presenters – local and international thought leaders, including keynotes. The multi-streamed AFAC Conference combines the Australian Disaster Resilience Conference, the Institution of Fire Engineers (Australia) National Conference, and the Women and Firefighting Australasia (WAFA) Conference. Friday, 25 August 2023 is the dedicated Professional Development Programme, offering further learning opportunities.
On rotation around Australia’s major cities, our host agencies for AFAC23 in Brisbane are the: Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services.
The Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook 2023 will be launched at AFAC23; senior leaders from each state and territory will provide the first glimpse into the anticipated conditions for Australia’s 2023–24 fire season. This will be launched at a press conference at the event.
The AFAC powered by INTERSCHUTZ Exhibition is Australasia’s largest emergency management exhibition, featuring over 15,000m2 of space, jam-packed with state-of-the-art equipment, cutting-edge technology and leading service providers. Features include:
The Exhibition
AFAC23 will feature the most comprehensive range of emergency management exhibiting organisations including a strong contingent of international exhibitors from a range of countries.
Solutions Theatre
The exhibition will also feature a comprehensive Solutions Theatre programme with practical presentations aimed at helping those at the frontline of emergency management. Topics have included: innovations and new technologies, mental health, wellbeing, community, resilience, residential energy storage and safety, effective communications in emergencies, leveraging of data to optimize, flood intelligence for emergency managers, effective asset management, EM through the lens of satellite imagery, PPE and much more.
Demonstration Zone
This area features the latest equipment, technology and best practices displayed across the two days of the exhibition. These have included robotics, virtual-reality firefighting equipment, rescue simulations and much more.
AIDR Knowledge Centre
Within the exhibition is a central hub of findings, including the popular poster displays. This is the place to meet other researchers and is a lounge area for conference speakers. The Knowledge Centre is proudly sponsored by the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience (AIDR).
Sustainability
To deliver our greenest conference yet, AFAC23 has partnered with Trace – a sustainability consulting company that removes the barriers to climate action and empowers businesses to take immediate steps forward. Please check out the Sustainable Partnership page on our website for more information.
Diversity and Inclusion
AFAC is committed to fostering an inclusive culture, valuing diversity, and ensuring a safe and respectful workplace. AFAC encourages all delegates to commit to this and to call out any language or behaviour that undermines our approach.
Networking and PDPs
One of the most anticipated attractions of AFAC23 is undeniably the opportunity to meet and reconnect with friends, peers, mentors and colleagues in person. In addition to interacting with fellow attendees during the conference and exhibition, don’t miss the always-popular AFAC networking and social gatherings:
Day 1: Welcome, Awards & Networking Drinks: 5:15pm – 8:00pm
Day 2: AFAC23 Gala Dinner: 7:00pm – 10:30pm
On day four of the AFAC23 conference, delegates can book themselves in for the AFAC23 Professional Development Programme on 26 August. This includes practical workshops, forums and field trips with hands-on learning to provide delegates a complete conference experience.
Keynotes
Highlights of the programme are the fantastic keynotes that will be speaking at the conference including Greg Leach AFSM, Tonya Hoover, Nazir Afzal OBE, Dr Jen Beverly and Jerry Grayson.
Greg Leach AFSM
Commissioner, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services
Greg Leach’s emergency services career commenced in 1986 with the Country Fire Authority (CFA) in Bendigo, Victoria. After holding many senior operational roles during his 21-year career with CFA, Greg then spent seven years with Ambulance Victoria where he held senior executive positions, including Regional Manager, Grampians Region.
Greg was appointed Commissioner, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, in December 2019. Since then, he has led the department through a prolonged period of operations, including two severe bushfire seasons and the response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Tonya Hoover
Deputy Administrator, US Fire Administration, FEMA
As Deputy Fire Administrator at the United States Fire Administration (USFA), Tonya is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the USFA. This includes the annual training of over 100,000 first responders at and through the National Fire Academy (NFA); the National Fire Incident Reporting System; the USFA’s fire prevention, public information, and public education programmes; and the 27 campus buildings of the historic National Emergency Training Centre in Emmitsberg, Maryland.
Nazir Afzal OBE
Chancellor, University of Manchester
Nazir Afzal was the Chief Crown Prosecutor for Northwest England and formerly the Crown Prosecution Service Director in London, Chief Executive of England’s Police and Crime Commissioners, independent chair of the review culture of London Fire Brigade and, most recently, National Advisor to the Welsh Government.
Currently serving as Chancellor of Manchester University, Nazir lends his 30 years of knowledge and experience in prosecuting high-profile cases on topics such as violence against women and girls, child sexual abuse and honour-based violence, to several leadership programmes in the public and private sectors as a leading voice in institutional change.
Dr Jen Beverly
Assistant Professor, Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta
An Assistant Professor at the Department of Renewable Resources at the University of Alberta with six years’ experience as a wildland firefighter and over 12 years of professional research experience in wildland fire science, Dr Beverly’s studies have addressed post-fire ecological effects, fire behaviour predictions, fuels measurements, fire-climate interactions, wildfire evacuations, escaped fires, values-at-risk-mapping and strategic fire-risk assessment at both community and landscape scales.
Published in multiple high-ranking ecological journals, Dr Beverly’s expertise in statistical and simulation modelling, and spatial analysis has informed complex fire-management decisions.
Jerry Grayson
Rescue Pilot, Drone Educator, Keynote Speaker, Web3 and Crypto native, NFT Artist
A former Royal Navy Pilot, Jerry Grayson’s story of an extraordinary career in helicopters, disrupted entirely by the advent of drones, makes him an unforgettable speaker on topics such as risk management, teamwork, resilience and leadership and is certain to leave audiences inspired and motivated.
From Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait to the infamous Fastnet Yacht Race, on stage with The Rolling Stones, on location filming Black Hawk Down, filming the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and broadcasting the Soccer World Cup from South Africa, Jerry has unbelievable personal stories spanning a life full of incredible experiences.
Don’t miss your opportunity to hear from these experts and more at AFAC23 powered by INTERSCHUTZ. To learn more about the conference and exhibition, visit: www.afacconference.com.au
