Success at AFAC 2021

AFAC, the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council, recently held its virtual conference with the theme, balancing impact and expectations. Some of our people tuned into online sessions from 5 to 7 October, on an array of topics relating to the work we do here at Fire and Emergency.

The conference also gave the opportunity to share our knowledge and learn from other emergency service organisations across the Tasman.

Highlights from the conference

Presentations

Two presentations were delivered by our people at the conference. You can check out the presentations below.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand – building a positive workplace culture [PDF, 2 MB] – Elizabeth Church, National Manager, Workplace Culture and Change and Danelle Whakatihi, Programme Lead, Positive Culture Review.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s commitment to working with Māori as Tangata Whenua [PDF, 2.3 MB] – Piki Thomas, National Manager, Kaupapa Māori.

Note, videos can be watched by clicking directly onto the slide in the PDF. 

Posters

Two posters displayed findings on research we’ve undertaken.

The Volunteer Journey research project poster shared information and results from a research study resulting from interviews and surveys with our volunteers to better understand the reasons why people stay a volunteer and the issues they experience as a new volunteer.

See the poster here. [PDF, 586 KB]

The second poster shared results and recommendations from a study on the Fire Awareness and Intervention Programme (FAIP) and the facilitating factors and barriers for people to engage with the programme.

See the poster here.  [PDF, 533 KB]

Award winner

Each year AFAC recognises an individual and agency who are at the forefront of innovation, creativity and knowledge management and/or research.

Congratulations to Hawke’s Bay Senior Station Officer Bruce Botherway who came away as the individual winner of the AFAC Knowledge Innovation Award.

Pictured L-R Ken Cooper (District Manager), Kirsty Botherway (wife), Bruce Botherway

This was awarded to Bruce following his innovative work on an app that was first used during the Hawke’s Bay floods last year. Bruce worked with a software developer to adapt an existing app to capture real time data after a large natural disaster or extreme weather event. He also collaborated with the territorial authorities and our emergency partners to establish what information they need collected in the first 72-hours after a major incident, to help with decision-making.

The result of his work is a response protocol that involves teams of first responders from all emergency partner agencies in Hawke’s Bay using the app to collect information. This is then collated into a shared emergency service dashboard that identifies and prioritises events needing a dedicated rescue response. This information is also displayed in the Emergency Coordination Centres, allowing agencies to develop dynamic action plans in real time, supporting and resourcing affected areas.

The app can now be used in any area/district in New Zealand and is compatible with Urban Search and Rescue international standards.