Canberra-based Participants and stakeholders were provided with an update on strategic activities and key research outcomes at the start of May as part of a series of national partner events coinciding with the Natural Hazards Research Australia Board meeting.
On 30 April, the stakeholder event featured addresses from Coordinator-General National Emergency Management Agency, Brendon Moon and Commissioner Australian Capital Territory Emergency Services Agency, Wayne Phillips, followed by an inspiring keynote delivered by Commonwealth Chief Nursing Officer, Adj Prof (Practice) Alison McMillan PSM. Alison provided a personalised, raw view of the issues and challenges in managing the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia and what those lessons mean for managing future disasters in Australia.
Researcher Prof Jason Sharples (University of NSW) shared his insights on his work in extreme fire behaviour science and Centre PhD scholarship holder, Fadia Isaac (Federation University) shared her PhD research to date on sleep, trauma and recovery after hazards.
The next day the Centre was invited by the AFAC Council to lead an innovation session about future-thinking for the sector. Futurist and business leader, Dr Catherine Ball (pictured above) prompted AFAC Council members – the leaders of Australia’s fire, land and emergency service agencies – to consider the intersection of technology, the environment and people meet to find innovative ways to make communities safer and more resilient to future natural events.
The next stakeholder event will take place in Brisbane in July with more guest speakers who will share their knowledge, expertise and insights on research and innovation in this space.