Research Forum early bird closes soon - don't miss out

June 26, the closing date for the early bird registrations for the 2015 Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC & AFAC annual conference is rapidly approaching. Now is the best time to register to attend Australasia's largest all-hazards emergency management conference, this year taking place at the revamped Adelaide Convention Centre from 1-4 September. Visit the conference website to register now.

CEO of the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC Dr Richard Thornton believes the Research Forum and conference show why research and innovation are more important now than ever.

“The 2014 Research Forum, our first, was a sell out. It is great to see the industry interested in the research that is underway," Dr Thornton said.

"The Research Forum is not just for scientists – it is a great opportunity for emergency management personnel and end users to learn about the current research, have valuable discussions and connect with researchers. 

"But it is not just the Research Forum, the science and research that will be discussed throughout the whole week will help emergency management agencies across Australia and New Zealand find ways to use science to make our communities safer.

"The conference week presents a great opportunity for all emergency management practitioners to learn what we are discovering about the biggest challenges in emergency management across Australasia, and finding ways to use this knowledge every day to make our communities safer,” Dr Thornton said.

Conference activities have been scheduled across four days to allow delegates to explore the conference theme and topics. Activities include: 

• All-hazards Research Forum: 1 September 
• Two day conference: 2-3 September
• Gala dinner: 3 September
• Six post conference development sessions: 4 September

Delegates will hear from a number of leading international and Australian experts including:

• Dr Mark Finney – Research Forester, US Forest Service
• Dr Rowan Douglas – CEO, Capital Science and Policy Practice, Willis Group (UK)
• Trefor Munn-Venn, CEO Rhapsody Strategies (Canada)
• Dr Alex Zelinsky, Chief Defence Scientist, Defence Science and Technology Organisation
• Dr Paul Willis, Director, RiAus
• Iain MacKenzie, Inspector-General Emergency Management, Queensland
• Dr Bill Griggs, Director Trauma Service, Royal Adelaide Hospital

The program will further be augmented by the 6000sqm conference exhibition space that will feature more than 90 leading industry manufacturers and research posters.

Staff and volunteers of fire and emergency service agencies/departments should contact their agency/department to find out about internal selection processes for conference attendance.

For more information about the conference including registration, conferencing activities and speaker profiles visit www.afac.com.au/conference. You can also stay updated via Twitter using the hashtag #AFAC15.