CFA participation in the Emergency Management Conference 2024

CFA proudly supported 32 staff and 16 volunteers from all regions to attend the Emergency Management Conference, ensuring strong representation with two attendees from each district. 

Nominations for attendees were actively endorsed by operational leadership and the CFA executive, underscoring CFA’s commitment to fostering professional development. 

This year’s conference focused on resilience building, response, recovery, and reconstruction across all levels of emergency management.

The central theme was: "How will we manage emergencies in this context, and how can we take care of ourselves and others working in emergency management in the process?" 

CFA member Georgia Madge from North East Region shared her feedback. “One of the standout themes was the importance of disaster resilience, underscored by research highlighting the marginalisation of Traditional Owners during and after emergencies," Georgia said. "This serves as a poignant call to action for promoting inclusivity and equitable response efforts in all disaster situations. 

"I was inspired by initiatives like the empowerment of women and community work in the Loddon Mallee Shire and the impactful contributions of Australian Business Volunteers. 

"The integration of drone technology by organisations such as Fire Rescue Victoria, Life Saving Victoria, and the EPA was also impressive, showcasing how drones enhance disaster response efficiency and effectiveness. 

"A particularly moving moment was the panel discussion on the CFA IMT deployment to Canada in 2023, emphasising that disasters transcend borders and highlighting global solidarity in emergency management. It was touching to hear gratitude from an attendee in Alberta, Canada, where the deployment made a meaningful impact. 

"Overall, my experience at the EMC was enriching and enlightening. I highly recommend it to anyone in the field for gaining insights, forging connections, and expanding perspectives on emergency management.” 

Several members represented CFA through engaging presentations, workshop facilitation, and insightful panel discussions. 

Presentation:
Neil Munro: Schools in Fire Country 

Workshop facilitation:
Breaking barriers - enhancing disability inclusive emergency preparedness through multi-agency collaboration facilitation.  

Panel discussions:
A reflection on the personal impact of emergency service work on staff and their families.  Panel member: CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan 

2023 Canadian wildfires deployment - experiences of an Aussie IMT 
Chair: Luke Heagerty
Panel members: Nicole Conway, Ellisa Bourne, Dr Nick McCarthy 

The conference provided CFA members with valuable networking opportunities to connect with attendees from other agencies. Participants gained insights into the latest best practices, enabling them to return with knowledge to share with their teams. 

CFA volunteer Shirley Guthrie, from District 9 in South East Region also reflected on the conference.

"The presenters were inspiring, engaging and informative. The topics were relevant and thought provoking, and I look forward to sharing my insights with my family, brigade, workplace and other community networks. The networking opportunities have been fantastic; I've met many new people and reconnected with old friends.” 

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

The conference took place on 16 and 17 July 2024 in Melbourne.