CFA participation in the Emergency Management and AFAC conferences 2026

Matthew Chick at the 2026 AFAC Exhibition

 

CFA proudly supported members across the state to attend this year’s Emergency Management and AFAC conferences.

 

This year’s Emergency Management Conference (EMC) theme was ‘Strengthening Victoria's Future: building capability, cohesion and trust’. The conference was held on 14-15 July at Pullman Albert Park, Victoria.

The AFAC Conference theme was ‘Leading Together: Integrity, Inclusion and Impact’, and was held on 18-20 August at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre.  

Showcasing the latest research and practice across the sector, AFAC26 featured the multi-streamed AFAC Conference, incorporating the Australian Disaster Resilience Conference (ADRC), the Institution of Fire Engineers (Australia) National Conference and the Women and Firefighting Australasia (WAFA) Conference. With the annual AFAC conference held in Melbourne this year, CFA encouraged all its members to attend the free exhibition show. Members were able to engage with hundreds of exhibitors, view new equipment and technology and network with colleagues from across the sector.

Conference attendance provides a fantastic opportunity for our members to connect with emergency services personnel from across Australia and around the world, explore the latest innovations in emergency management, and learn from leading practitioners, researchers and industry experts. Participants gained insights into the latest best practices, enabling them to return with knowledge to share with their teams and brigades, as well as take away new connections through the invaluable networking opportunities. 

We wish to congratulate all the CFA members who represented CFA through engaging presentations, stands and insightful posters on display at both conferences:

• Fiona Macken - Fire Medical Response
• Tammy Garrett - Exercise Firestorm - Preparing agencies for evacuation
• John Schauble - When the bushfire emergency becomes personal
• Dr Sarah Harris - Rapid Research Exchange - Five lightning talks and Leveraging Research and Technology to Navigate Evolving Fire Management Challenges
• Mark Gunning - Post-traumatic growth - Hall's Gap and surrounds
• Andy Ackland - National fuel availability factor from daily soil moisture grids
• Rachel Bessell - Empirical fire research in Canola Stubble
• Kristy Butler - Practical application of AI and emerging technologies: CFA innovation showcase
• Brigid Ennis and Georgina Hill - Get Fire Ready: Volunteer-led, inclusive community engagement at scale for bushfire preparedness
• Olivia Duffey and Tanya Lumley - Empowering Women Through Challenge – Women’s Challenge Camps
• Angela Cook and Paul Harris - Bushfire safety e-Learning for workers across Australia
• Sam Hughes - Decoding Engagement: A Behavioural Framework to Optimise Health Program Engagement in Emergency Services
• Kelly Stoner - Weaving Trust: Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction Through Collaboration
• Brandon Crowder - Fire Medical Response: Ambulance Victoria and CFA collaborating for impact in regional Victoria
• Musa Kilinc - A Drop in the Bucket: What Makes Aerial Suppression Efficient

By enabling member attendance at the EMC, AFAC and other similar opportunities, CFA promotes professional development and recognises the vital role of volunteers in emergency services. 

Next year’s Emergency Management Conference will be held on 13-14 July at Pullman Melbourne Albert Park and the AFAC conference from 31 August to 2 September at Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Expressions of interest for 2027 conferences will open in March 2027 on Members Online.

 

Submitted by	Tracey Ruse