Announcing the launch of our Modern Data Platform
We are excited to announce the launch of our Modern Data Platform and the release of the first data product, the Get Firewise dashboard.
The feedback has been very positive:
“This is a spectacular Dashboard” - Community Risk Manager.
“It’s a great step forwards and an extremely valuable tool to help us with our work. Appreciate the work you’re doing”. – Senior Advisor Community Readiness & Recovery.
The Modern Data Platform (MDP)
The MDP is a new data management system that is being built within Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s Microsoft Azure platform. Our data is a “critical organisational asset” requiring consistent data management and data governance. The MDP project aims to establish the data management tooling, processes, and people required to build Fire and Emergency’s capacity to inventory, align, govern, secure, and leverage data from across the organisation.
Fire and Emergency are on a long-term journey of transitioning away from static reports & legacy technology into Power BI and cloud-based data platforms. This journey is expected to take us deep into 2026 – so please be patient as there is a lot of work to be done!
The MDP will enable access to more data as well as ensuring that data is timely and easier to understand. A key component of the MDP is Power BI - an interactive data visualization tool that consolidates and presents information in a user-friendly format. This means visualised, accurate and up-to-date data to help you make well-informed decisions.
The Power BI Get Firewise Dashboard
The Get Firewise dashboard is the first data product to be released using data held in the MDP and connected to Power BI. This dashboard integrates Get Firewise survey and Performance Measures data. It is designed to show how knowledge and skills of students and families are changing because of taking part in the Get Firewise and Māui-tinei-ahi Year 1 and 2 programmes, specifically in relation to the three fire safety learning outcomes of the programme.
This dashboard enables users to easily compare and track the programme performance, identifying trends over time, and providing the flexibility needed to perform detailed analyses (as required). Our goal is to empower end users with the insights necessary to make informed decisions.
You can view the training material for the Firewise Dashboard here. (external link)
What data product is next?
The Finance Dashboard is currently in development, designed to make accessing and analysing financial data more intuitive and efficient. Work is being completed in the background by the Data and Analytics directorate to bring the financial data into the MDP, which will also allow for more efficient loading and refreshing of our financial data in the future.
We know that there is huge demand for better reporting across the organisation. We have developed a draft, high-level roadmap of which systems will be onboarded into the MDP following the finance data. This roadmap will be published to the Data User Community (see below) in early 2025. The next data to be ingested is expected to be from Automatic Location Position Service (ALPS), Personal Gas Monitors (iNet), and Station Management System (SMS).
Where can I learn more and get regular progress updates?
The Data User Community (DUC)(external link) SharePoint site publishes regular news articles with updates from the Data and Analytics directorate.
‘Follow’ the page to stay up to date with news and to find and RSVP to our live events.
You can read more about the Modern Data Platform project here: Business Intelligence Projects.(external link)