Cyclones and space travel: emergency management leaders prepare for change

Australasia’s biggest emergency management conference and exhibition, AFAC18 powered by INTERSCHUTZ is gearing up to equip the sector to thrive in an uncertain future.

The program features NASA Astronaut Mike Mullane, an inductee of the International Space Hall of Fame. Mullane’s insights into successful teamwork, leadership and safety flow from a unique career, including his first-hand experience of the 1986 space shuttle Challenger tragedy.

“In hazardous operations, everybody counts. Leaders at all levels need to empower their team members to put their ideas and perspectives on the table. An attitude of, ‘See something; Say something; Do something’ can save lives,” said Mullane.

Delegates will also hear from Craig Fugate, the distinguished former Administrator of the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency, on ‘the seven deadly sins of emergency management.’

“Disasters don’t fit into what you think you are capable of doing,” says Fugate. “We have to prepare for the unexpected, not what we are capable of responding to right now.”

Other program highlights include:
• Neil Burrows, Senior Principal Research Scientist, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Western Australia

• Anna-Maria Arabia, Chief Executive, Australian Academy of Science • Eric Yap, Commissioner, Singapore Civil Defence Force

• Dr Dana Born, Co-Director, Centre for Public Leadership, Harvard Kennedy School of Government 

AFAC18 powered by INTERSCHUTZ is running concurrently in 2018 with the inaugural Australian Disaster Resilience Conference, featuring:

• Phil Rist, Nywaigi Traditional Owner

• Jane Hayward AM, teaching Principal, Strathewen Primary School

• Dr Megan McCarthy, Macquarie University/Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC

• Dr Rachel Armstrong, Department of Fire and Emergency Services, WA

Kicking off with the annual Research Forum presented by the Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre, the event runs from 5-8 September 2018 at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The AFAC18 conference program will explore how we can improve ourselves, and the emergency management and disaster resilience sector and how to survive and thrive in an ever-changing, complex environment.

For more information visit: http://www.afacconference.com.au/

The Australian Disaster Resilience Conference will explore the rise of resilience from the individual to the global – enhancing recovery by supporting community resilience.

For more information visit: https://www.aidr.org.au/programs/australian-disaster-resilience-conference/