Driven by the need to improve understanding from what our weather will be to what our weather will do, I’m excited to share the new Severe Weather Impact Prediction Sector Partner Engagement project Practice Note.
The Practice Note highlights how, when and why emergency service stakeholders seek to understand the potential impact of severe weather, such as the East Coast lows that have caused so much disruption over the last year, and what is needed moving forwards so decision-makers have the information they need to pre-emptively deploy resources and prepare.
A strength of the project was how inclusive the research design and workshops were, including not just agencies with specific roles in Emergency Management but a broader range of stakeholders form critical utilities to outdoor educators. This highlighted the diversity of information needs but also the range of comfort and appetite for uncertainty between different groups. The approach provided unexpected some benefits. EM Sector partners how being in a shared workshop with critical infrastructure managers had led to new insights that will inform their own operating procedures moving forwards which is an example of how a well-structured research process can lead to outcomes even before we have the final report, and is a credit to the providers, Collaborative Consulting Co.
This is not to short-sell the outputs, the Hazard note highlights some critical insights and information needs to information providers, such as the Bureau of Meteorology (the Bureau) and Geoscience Australia (GA), to consider as they continue to iterate their support emergency management decision makers. This was only possible due to the genuine nature of the collaboration between the researchers and the AFAC Flood and Severe Weather Intelligence Services Technical Group (FSWISTG). Steve Muncaster’s (Principal Advisor, Emergency Management Reform, Victorian State Emergency Service) words below capture this well:
"As a hazard intelligence analyst, I can attest to the critical importance of timely access to severe weather impact forecasting information. This research not only enhances our ability to make informed decisions regarding operational response but also aids in effectively planning for relief and recovery efforts in the face of severe weather events.
The collaboration between AFAC Flood and Severe Weather Intelligence Services Technical Group and the research team enabled access to various views and requirements across all jurisdictions. This project facilitated improved coordination and consultation between response agencies and the Bureau.
I commend the team’s efforts in enhancing communication between stakeholders in the emergency management sector. This collaborative effort has undoubtedly strengthened our ability to mitigate the impact of severe weather events on our communities.”
The recent sever weather season has highlighted the escalating nature of the challenge faced by emergency management decision-makers. Given this the Centre has continued to ensure the findings are socialised with critical audiences who can respond to the implications and move past them to action. We’d like to thank the Bureau, GA, the AFAC FSWISTG and Collaborative Consulting Co for their support for this important work.