Sandra is the General Manager Decision Support Services at the Bureau of Meteorology.
She is 25 years into her career with fire, which started in land management as a Ranger in NSW and bushfire specialist and was recently the Director of Community Fire Safety at the Tasmania Fire Service. She holds a Science Degree (with Honours) from the University of Sydney, and a Diploma of Public Safety (Firefighting Management). In 2004 she commenced with the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service, working in bushfire policy and operations. In 2013 she joined the Tasmania Fire Service, overseeing structural changes to the State Fire Management Council, and implementing the whole-of-government Fuel Reduction Program. In 2017 she commenced as the Director of Community Fire Safety responsible for prevention and mitigation programs undertaken by the TFS, including education and regulation.
She is the co-Chair of the AFAC Climate Change Group, working with the whole Emergency Management Sector to adapt and respond to the challenges of climate change. She is passionate about using science and contemporary research, and risk-based approaches to shape policy and prepare communities to be resilient and safer from the impacts of fire.
CRC Board
Sandra Whight is a current member of the CRC's Board of Directors.Lead end user
What if an earthquake hit central Adelaide? A major flood on the Yarra River through Melbourne? A bushfire on the slopes of Mount Wellington over Hobart?
‘What if?’ scenario modelling through this project is helping government, planning authorities and emergency service agencies think through the costs and consequences of various options on preparing for major disasters on their infrastructure and natural environments and how these might change into the future.
The research is based on the premise that to reduce both the risk and cost of natural disasters, an integrated approach is needed to consider multiple hazards and a range of mitigation options.
