AFAC Knowledge Web News

Forum Survey

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:18:23 +1100

We are currently conducting a short survey to understand your thoughts on the Knowledge Web forums.

Issue 8/09 of KW News out now!

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:57:09 +1100

KW News was sent out yesterday to those subscribed and can be viewed online under our News section of the website.

Ms Julie Harris, MFB wins the 2009 AFAC Laurie Lavelle Award

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:15:51 +1100

AFAC would like to congratulate Ms Julie Harris, Community Ageing Strategist, at the Metropolitan Fire & Emergency Services Board (MFB) as the recipient of the 2009 AFAC Laurie Lavelle Award.

New Chief Officer for TFS

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 09:27:14 +1100

Mike Brown has been appointed to the role of Chief Officer, Tasmania Fire Service effeftively immediatley.

Australian deployments to earthquake zones

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:54:20 +1000

Australian fire and emergency service personal have been sent to the earthquake hit regions of Samoa and Sumatra Indonesia.

New Committee of Management Appointments

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:50:06 +1000

At the September AFAC Council meeting Commissioner Lee Johnson QFRS was elected President of AFAC for the next two years.

Bunker standard to be developed

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:36:25 +1000

The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) announced on 24 September that it will be developing a national standard for the design and construction of a bushfire bunker for personal use.The ABCB indicated the standard will be available for use in 6 months.The announcement can be read on the ABCB website.

AFAC Bushfire CRC Conference a success

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:10:46 +1000

The 16th Annual AFAC Conference has now ended, achieving our highest record in numbers of delegates and exhibitors attending.

AFAC Conference off to a great start

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:20:46 +1000

Despite the red dust outside the Gold Coast Conference, 1200 delegates from across Australasia are attending the 16th Annual event.

New and improved search engine

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:05:45 +1000

We have listened to your feedback and worked on improving our search engine for the Knowledge Web - launched earlier in the week.

AFAC Bushfire CRC Conference - NEXT WEEK

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:22:50 +1000

The AFAC Conference is just next week with another bumper crowd expected this year. Registrations are still being taken and can be done through the conference website.

AFAC Meeting Schedule Updates

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:44:51 +1000

The AFAC Meeting Schedule has just been updated with quite a few changes.

August/September Newsletter out now

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:43:33 +1000

The latest newsletter has just been sent and can also be viewed online under our News section of the website.

Royal Commission into Bushfires hands down Interim Report

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 10:38:22 +1000

Interim Report Recomendations

On August 17 the Royal Commission into Bushfires handed down its interim report to the Victorian Government. While there were a range of recommendations made concerning the operation of Victorian Agencies there were some key recommendations made that will have implications for all fire and emergency agencies around Australia.

Latest KW Newsletter Out Now

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 09:45:55 +1000

The latest newsletter has just been sent and can also be viewed online under our News section of the website.

Draft Position & Discussion Papers on the Effects of Climate Change

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 17:03:20 +1000

AFAC has prepared a draft position and discussion paper on the effects of climate change on emergency services.

Position Vacant: Deputy Regional Chief North, TFS

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:43:52 +1000

Tasmania Fire Service has an exciting opportunity for someone that is ready to take that next step into an influential management position. This role will enable you to use your leadership qualities, as well as your conceptual and strategic planning skills in order to facilitate change or adherence to operational and management practices both within the northern region and across the state.

New CFA CEO Announced

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:15:24 +1000

Kerry Murphy, CFA Chairman today announced that the Board has approved the appointment of Mr Mick Bourke as the new Chief Executive Officer.

Knowledge Web Survey

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:11:20 +1000

The Knowledge Web is nearly a year old and we want to make sure that you are happy with the website by finding out how you use the website and the issues or problems you face using it.

Scheduled Downtime for Knowledge Web

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 10:33:02 +1000

AFAC will be upgrading the system on the Knowledge Web during 28th -30th July. During this time you may find that the site could be down, you are unable to log in or just find the site running a little slow.

We hope to have the site up and running as quickly as possible, but apologise for any inconvenience during this period. We will still be contactable during this time by emailing webadmin@afac.com.au.

Report on Queensland Fire Fighters� Cancer Study released

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 09:59:38 +1000

The final report of a retrospective study of cancer in operational Queensland fire fighters carried out by the Monash Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health (MonCOEH) in the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash University has been released.

Vote Now! - Help improve the Knowledge Web

Fri, 29 May 2009 14:46:00 +1000

The Knowledge Web is seeking you help to improve the log in process for the Knowledge Web. Take this online poll to let us know your thoughts. It only takes 20 seconds.

Vote Now!

Federal Senate Inquiry into Bushfires

Thu, 21 May 2009 12:28:44 +1000

The Australian Senate announced an inquiry will be undertaken by the Senate select committee on agricultural and related industries into Australian Bushfires. The committee is chaired by Senator Heffernan who initiated the inquiry.

Extra funding for the Bushfire CRC

Thu, 21 May 2009 12:27:02 +1000

The Federal Government announced in the May budget that it will provide $15.0 million over three years from 2010 11 to the Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre (CRC). This extra funding was an outcome of senate discussions.

Fire safety in Australia�s international student housing

Thu, 21 May 2009 10:39:40 +1000

Gaps in internationals students understanding of fire safety in Australia have been identified by new research.

The current state of global smoke alarm legislation

Thu, 21 May 2009 10:33:22 +1000

Recent research has analyzed some of the barriers to international adoption of smoke alarm protection

New Funding for NTFRS

Fri, 01 May 2009 08:34:41 +1000

The Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services Minister Paul Henderson said Budget 2009 provides funding for an additional 20 firefighters.

New AFAC Committee of Management Member

Fri, 01 May 2009 08:34:33 +1000

At the AFAC Council met on 21 April, FESA CEO Jo Harrison Ward was elected to the AFAC Committee of Management. Jo will bring considerable experience to the Council. She has replaced Mike Hall NZFS who has stepped down from the committee.

CRC Rebid Stage 1 Success

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 09:09:26 +1000

AFAC and the Bushfire CRC have been successful in advancing through to the second stage of the CRC assessment process. Stage two of the process involves a peer review of the proposed research projects and an interview. Interviews will be held in Canberra between 29 June and July 1 with supporting documentation due by 12 May.

National Volunteer thankyou campaign

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 13:14:38 +1100

Volunteering Australia has secured the support of a major sponsor to conduct a national “volunteer thank you” media campaign to start mid March running through to National Volunteer Week (11th to 17th May).

Continuity for Government and Critical Infrastructure Executive Conference

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 13:09:24 +1100

The recent devastation of bushfires in Victoria and the Floods in Queensland increases the focus on the importance of creating a resilient government and communities. The question remains, how prepared are you if this was to happen again? and how will your community and the nation be impacted?

Positions vacant advertising now available on AFAC Corporate Site

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 11:58:16 +1100

The AFAC Corporate Site has a newly created area for member agencies to advertise available career opportunities to the firefighting community.

Future Fire Scenario: 2020

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:09:01 +1100

The year is 2020. Australia is hotter, drier and far more fire prone than ever before. What effect is this having on our water supplies, agriculture, the changing rural populations, health systems, and the elusive carbon balance?

This 2020 scenario is presented by the Bushfire CRC as it considers the issues that the fire industry may confront in the near future. It was developed as a counterfactual for the economic analysis of the proposed CRC Fire – Environment and Society. It is what the world may look like without the research proposed for the new CRC.

2008 Conference Proceedings Now Online

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:16:31 +1100

Papers and presentations from the 2008 AFAC Bushfire CRC Conference have been published on the Knowledge Web.

Black Friday anniversary renews importance of ongoing bushfire research

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 13:37:56 +1100

Australia’s peak fire management and research organizations are calling for ongoing support for scientific research to deal with the bushfire threat to our communities.

Pedal for Prostate Website

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:46:29 +1100

The Pedal for Prostate website is now online. In October 2009 the Melbourne Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board (MFB) Cycling Club will set out from the steps of Victoria's Parliament House to ride non-stop around Australia on Highway 1 in 25 days to raise money for Prostate Cancer Research.

2009 AFAC Annual Visiting Fellow Announced

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:01:15 +1100

Chief Superintendent Richard Griffiths from NSW Fire Brigades has been confirmed as the 2009 AFAC Annual Visiting Fellow to the Australian Institute of Police Management (AIPM).

CRC Bid Update

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 11:10:07 +1100

Planning for the new CRC for Fire – Environment and Society has increased in recent weeks with the announcement by the Australian Government of the new guidelines for the Cooperative Research Centre Program funding.

New look for Research Reports, Case Studies and Member Contribution areas

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 11:06:48 +1100

With thanks to the valuable feedback received by our members, we’ve changed the way you can now contribute to the Knowledge Web.

Firefighter Interviews - BCRC Update

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 09:44:43 +1100

The Bushfire CRC has released an update on the results of a series of interviews with firefighters conducted over the 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 fire seasons. These interviews were conducted as soon as possible after a shift, usually within two days of a fire.

One Thousand Users on AFAC Knowledge Web

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 09:43:22 +1100

This week the Knowledge Web reached a major milestone, registering its one thousandth user.

Smoke Toxic Assessment Guide - BCRC Update

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 11:27:17 +1100

AFAC 2007/08 Annual Report now available

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:34:26 +1100

On behalf of the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC), we are pleased to advise that a PDF version of the AFAC Annual Report for 2007/2008 is now available on the Corporate website. Printed copies can be requested from AFAC by phoning (03) 9419 2388; or by emailing afac@afac.com.au.

A call to action on Environmental Responsibility

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:01:11 +1100

Mary Barry appointed to Committee of Management

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 11:48:54 +1100

AFAC is pleased to announce that at the recent AFAC Annual General Meeting held in Melbourne on the 29th October 2008, Mary Barry, Chief Executive Officer of Victoria State Emergency Service was appointed as a Director of AFAC. The AFAC Council welcomes Mary to the Committee of Management.

$10 million for research on effects of climate change

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 09:46:53 +1100

The Rudd Government will provide $10 million over four years to establish research networks investigating the effects of climate change on areas such as water resources, human health, emergency services, infrastructure and biodiversity.

Proud Parks Officer killed fighting fire

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:39:42 +1100

One of the local National Parks and Wildlife Service’ (NPWS) most experienced and senior fire-fighters Bryce Laut was killed during efforts to contain a wildfire in Kumbatine National Park west of Kempsey late on Sunday afternoon (26/10).

Seasonal Bushfire Outlook 2008-9

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 08:49:11 +1100

The Australian Bureau of Metereology has released its seasonal bushfire forecast for the 2008 - 2009 Summer.

Successful applicants for the Executive Fire Officer Program

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 12:09:09 +1100

Successful applicants for the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program have been announced.

iPod winner announced

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:51:04 +1100

Congratulations to Matthew Philpott from Tasmania Fire Service.

Testing of standard map symbols

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 16:11:43 +1000

2008 Conference a big success

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 10:31:06 +1000

The 2008 AFAC Bushfire CRC Conference has been a great success with approximately 1100 delegates and 100 trade exhibitors attending the four day workshop and seminar program.

Jim Smith, NSWFB, wins Laurie Lavelle Award

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 09:38:12 +1000

Chief Superintendent Jim Smith, NSW Fire Brigades, has been presented with the Laurie Lavelle Achiever of the Year Award at the 2008 AFAC Bushfire CRC Conference.

AFAC launches the Knowledge Web

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:16:42 +1000

The 2008 AFAC/Bushfire CRC Conference saw the launch of the AFAC Knowledge Web, the fire, land management and emergency service industry’s knowledge sharing website.

Bushfire seasonal forecast

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 09:44:20 +1000

A series of seasonal bushfire assessment workshops have taken place this year following the success of earlier meetings that have addressed the potential for bushfires to occur.

CRC program review released

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 09:44:20 +1000

The much awaited report on the review of Australia’s Cooperative Research Centres program has been released by Senator Kim Carr, the Federal Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.

Longitudinal cohort study for firefighters

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 09:21:32 +1000

Representatives from all rural and urban fire agencies and SES have met to discuss the establishment of a longitudinal cohort study of Australian firefighters.