AFAC25: It’s a wrap
AFAC25 powered by INTERSCHUTZ, Australasia’s largest emergency management conference and exhibition, returned to Perth for the first time in 7 years with record-breaking energy and a renewed focus on resilience, innovation, and collaboration.
AFAC25 powered by INTERSCHUTZ, Australasia’s largest emergency management conference and exhibition, returned to Perth for the first time in 7 years with record-breaking energy and a renewed focus on resilience, innovation, and collaboration.
From 26–29 August, over 4,400 emergency management professionals, industry leaders, and innovators from across Australia, New Zealand, and the globe gathered at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre to discuss new sector developments, share insights, showcase technology, and build connections.
AFAC25 offered increased connectivity to Asia and Europe thanks to its strategic location in Perth, allowing international agency representatives to attend the conference, strengthening several of our international partnerships.
This year’s theme, ‘From local to global: leveraging systems, capability and connection’, led conversations that explored how local and international learnings can shape stronger, more responsive systems to help prevent, manage, and recover from emergencies. It also highlighted the reality that emergency events are no longer contained by international borders, and neither are their solutions. Through our international colleagues, presenters, and attendees, we gained valuable insights into global trends and solutions in the emergency management industry.
With a focus on critical infrastructure, resilience, and disaster recovery, AFAC25 supported professionals dedicated to safeguarding essential services and rebuilding communities.
Source: AFAC
The conference featured over 200 speakers across 8 streams, including the Australian Disaster Resilience Conference, the Institution of Fire Engineers (Australia) National Conference, and the Women and Firefighting Australasia (WAFA) Conference. Delegates explored cutting-edge topics, from spatial technology and electric vehicle safety to gender diversity in leadership and systemic thinking for disaster resilience.
AFAC25 had a strong start with the Research and Innovation Day program, which featured keynote speakers Professor Gavin Smith Ph.D., FAICP, Professor at North Carolina State University, Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning and Susanna Jenkins, Associate Professor, Earth Observatory of Singapore from Nanyang Technological University. Both keynote speakers set the tone for an informative and insightful week of presentations. Throughout the day, delegates heard a variety of speakers explore current and pressing topics like workforce health, research utilisation, data and the future, as well as the innovation stream which featured Pitchfest sessions and an introduction to the inaugural AFAC Hackathon Challenge.
As the AFAC25 program commenced, the standout line-up of keynote speakers continued, offering critical perspectives on disaster resilience, risk reduction, recovery, planning, and communication. Ingrid Ngoorlak Cumming, Honorary Fellow from Murdoch University opened day one of the conference with her keynote presentation 'Walking together - Leadership, legacy, and reconciliation,' followed by keynote speaker Mami Mizutori, Former Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, Head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and Specially Appointed Professor at Tohoku University. Mami presented 'We can do a better job to stay safe and alive,' captivating delegates with her extensive sector expertise.
Day two of the AFAC25 program began with keynote speaker Mark Hardingham CBE QFSM, Former Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council, as he delved into the learnings from the public inquiry of the Grenfell Tower fire. Mark's presentation highlighted the importance of safety standards not only in the emergency services, but for the construction and housing industries as well. Mark's keynote address was followed by the kaynote panel 'Local to global: How are we capitalising on connections and collaboration to build a safe future together?' featuring AFAC's very own Sandra Whight, Executive Director of National Capability, Chief Ernest Malone from Indianapolis Fire Department and the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association, Melissa Pexton, Deputy Commissioner Strategy and Emergency Management of Department of Fire and Emergency Services, and Commissioner Eric Yap from Singapore Civil Defence Force.
As the program came to a close, delegates were treated to a closing keynote address by Leigh Sales AM, Author and Journalist. Leigh's presentation, 'Any ordinary day: Blindsides, resilience, and what happens after the worst day of your life,' reminded delegates of the personal and emotional hardships that are closely tied with natural hazards and disasters.
Additional to the conference's exceptional keynote presentations, the AFAC25 program included speakers from global institutions, academia, research, and media, including industry leaders from around the world including Hong Kong, Singapore, Samoa, UK, US and more, reinforcing AFAC's place in the international emergency management sector.
Source: AFAC
The AFAC25 Exhibition filled all six halls at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, representing a 40% increase since last time the event was held in Perth in 2018. Of the 228 exhibitors, 52 were first-time participants and 32 came from overseas. Some key features of this year’s exhibition included the Demonstration Zone, Resource Rescue Theatre, Solutions Theatre, and AIDR Knowledge Centre which once again featured the popular poster display.
Year after year, the AFAC Exhibition provides a rare insight into just how broad the emergency management sector is, through live techniques and best practice, thought-provoking presentations and new and emerging technologies. Networking flourished at the Gala Dinner which was themed ‘From outback to ocean,’ celebrating WA’s unique landscape and cultural richness.
Source: AFAC
The conference and exhibition wouldn’t have been possible without our host agencies for this year’s event, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. AFAC acknowledges their invaluable assistance, helping showcase WA’s strengths and capabilities. We also thank the volunteers from these organisations who were on hand at the venue to assist our conference operations.
AFAC25 reaffirmed its role as a catalyst for sector-wide transformation. As the curtains close, the conversations sparked will continue to shape the future of emergency management across Australasia and beyond.
On behalf of AFAC, Deutsche Messe, the Institution of Fire Engineers (Australia), Women and Firefighting Australasia, and the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience, thank you to all our exhibitors, sponsors, speakers, partners, and attendees for making AFAC25 such an outstanding success.
AFAC looks forward to welcoming you to AFAC26 in Melbourne from 18-21 August at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The AFAC25 Conference proceedings are now available via www.afac.com.au to explore.