The Fireant Podcast

Daniel Austin (NSW SES Deputy Commissioner) Talks About Why Emergency Response Was Hard Until THIS Happened

In this episode, we have Daniel Austin, the Deputy Commissioner of the New South Wales State Emergency Service (NSW SES), an experienced leader dedicated to reshaping how emergency responses are delivered through technology, leadership, and volunteer empowerment. Daniel talks about the crucial role of SES volunteers as the frontline connection to their communities, their extraordinary selflessness, and why true success in emergency services means preventing crises rather than responding dramatically with lights and sirens. He also discusses the development and impact of the "myAvailability" app, a purpose-built digital solution designed to streamline volunteer management, the necessity of continuous technological innovation driven by volunteer input, and the importance of transparent leadership during periods of significant organisational change. If you want to learn how effective emergency response is evolving beyond reaction into proactive prevention, and gain valuable insights into empowering volunteers with practical, user-centred technology, then make sure to listen to this episode! SHOW NOTES LINKS https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-austin-61284262/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-austin-61284262/] https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/ [https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/] https://www.facebook.com/NSW.SES [https://www.facebook.com/NSW.SES] https://www.instagram.com/nswses/ [https://www.instagram.com/nswses/] https://www.linkedin.com/company/nswses/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/nswses/] -----   LISTEN TO THE PODCAST   Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3VAshQD [https://spoti.fi/3VAshQD]  Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3VCLscS [https://apple.co/3VCLscS]  Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/4bQIabq [https://amzn.to/4bQIabq]  Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/3ViNRb5 [https://bit.ly/3ViNRb5]    -----   FIND US HERE Website: https://www.fireant.com.au/ [https://www.fireant.com.au/]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fireant-pty-ltd/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/fireant-pty-ltd/]  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559184241111 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559184241111]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FireantDigital [https://www.youtube.com/@FireantDigital]  TIME STAMPS: 00:00 Hook/Intro 01:26 Daniel's Role as Deputy Commissioner in NSW SES and what drives him to serve his community 03:51 What makes Volunteers such a critical part of emergency services in Australia 07:05 How and why NSW SES invested in myAvailability App 10:13 Involving volunteers in the platform, and why is it important 12:14 Launching myAvailability App 13:55 Importance of Ongoing Development 15:54 Maintaining the performance of the organisation 18:21 Innovation and Technology Change in the Volunteer Environment 23:52 Opportunities in Adopting Technology 26:10 Future Vision for NSW SES 28:20 Conclusion/Outro -----   DISCLAIMER   The information provided in this podcast is for general purposes only and should not be considered personal advice. Always consult with qualified professionals or experts in the relevant field for personalised advice tailored to your specific situation.

Gary White (Fire & Rescue NSW) on 37 Years of Change in Fire Safety and Community Risk

If you're a first responder, frontline worker, or volunteer organisation looking for robust, scalable, and secure digital solutions, visit https://www.fireant.com.au/ [https://www.fireant.com.au/]. —-------- In this episode, we have Gary White from Fire and Rescue NSW, a 37-year veteran in the service who leads community engagement initiatives that are redefining how emergency services communicate with and protect vulnerable populations. Gary talks about how firefighter gear has evolved from wool suits to digitised protection systems, why real-time data on household fire risk is changing the game for prevention, and how the PRIME 2.0 project gives responders the “why” behind their community outreach efforts. If you want to learn how data, innovation, and inclusive design are transforming fire safety and emergency response in Australia, then make sure to listen to this episode! ----- SHOW NOTES LINKS https://www.linkedin.com/in/garywhitefrnsw/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/garywhitefrnsw/]  https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/ [https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/]  https://www.twitter.com/FRNSW [https://www.twitter.com/FRNSW]  https://www.facebook.com/frnsw [https://www.facebook.com/frnsw]  https://www.instagram.com/fireandrescuensw [https://www.instagram.com/fireandrescuensw]  https://www.youtube.com/fireandrescuensw [https://www.youtube.com/fireandrescuensw]  https://www.linkedin.com/company/frnsw [https://www.linkedin.com/company/frnsw]   ----- LISTEN TO THE PODCAST Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3VAshQD [https://spoti.fi/3VAshQD]  Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3VCLscS [https://apple.co/3VCLscS]  Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/4bQIabq [https://amzn.to/4bQIabq]  Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/3ViNRb5 [https://bit.ly/3ViNRb5]    ----- FIND US HERE Website: https://www.fireant.com.au/ [https://www.fireant.com.au/]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fireant-pty-ltd/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/fireant-pty-ltd/]  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559184241111 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559184241111]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FireantDigital [https://www.youtube.com/@FireantDigital]    ----- CONTACT US hello@fireant.com.au   ----- TIME STAMPS: 00:00 – Intro From the AFAC Conference 2024 and Guest Intro 01:40 – Early Uniforms: Wool Pants and PVC Helmets 02:20 – Modern PPE: Digitised, Safe, and Efficient 03:05 – Data Transformation: Handwritten Reports to Real-Time Systems 04:00 – Mobile Tech on Fire Trucks and Instant Info at the Scene 04:50 – Prime 2.0: Data-Driven Fire Risk Mapping Down to the Household 06:00 – The Purpose Behind Segmentation and Risk Prediction 08:00 – Challenges of Messaging for People With Disabilities 09:00 – Real Example: Rethinking “Get Down Low and Go, Go, Go” 09:45 – Engagement With CALD and First Nations Communities 11:15 – Multilingual AI Communication Projects on the Rise 12:05 – Firefighters Delivering Safety Messages in Community Languages 13:40 – Final Thoughts on Inclusion, Innovation, and Where It’s All Heading   ----- DISCLAIMER The information provided in this podcast is for general purposes only and should not be considered personal advice. Always consult with qualified professionals or experts in the relevant field for personalised advice tailored to your specific situation.

Marc Unsworth (EMV Lead Officer) on The Game-Changing Tech Making Emergency Alerts Smarter

If you're a first responder, frontline worker, or volunteer organisation looking for robust, scalable, and secure digital solutions, visit https://www.fireant.com.au/. ----- In this episode, we have Marc Unsworth, Lead Officer at Emergency Management Victoria, a seasoned crisis response and public safety professional dedicated to improving how communities receive and understand emergency information. Marc talks about how emergency communication has evolved over the years, the challenges of reaching multicultural communities, and the innovative use of AI-driven real-time translations to bridge language barriers. He also discusses why traditional crisis communication methods are no longer enough, the lessons learned from Victoria’s flood review, and how bold innovation is shaping the future of emergency management. If you want to learn how technology is making life-saving information more accessible and what the future holds for emergency response, then make sure to listen to this episode! -----   SHOW NOTES LINKS https://au.linkedin.com/in/marc-unsworth  https://www.emv.vic.gov.au/  https://twitter.com/emv_news  https://www.linkedin.com/company/emergency-management-victoria  -----   LISTEN TO THE PODCAST   Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3VAshQD  Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3VCLscS  Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/4bQIabq  Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/3ViNRb5    -----   FIND US HERE Website: https://www.fireant.com.au/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fireant-pty-ltd/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559184241111  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FireantDigital    -----   CONTACT US   hello@fireant.com.au -----   TIME STAMPS: 00:00 - Intro 01:25 - Different Public Information Platforms Developed With EMV 02:53 - EMV Insights and Key Recommendations 03:56 - Vic Emergency Plus Pilot App 05:36 - Number of Languages 06:08 - Encouragement on New Innovative Digital Projects 07:22 - The Goal Is to Connect With Communities 08:01 - Outro -----   DISCLAIMER   The information provided in this podcast is for general purposes only and should not be considered personal advice. Always consult with qualified professionals or experts in the relevant field for personalised advice tailored to your specific situation.

Alison May (CFS) & Kirstin Ross (Flinders) Discuss The New Science of Bushfire Survival

If you're a first responder, frontline worker, or volunteer organisation looking for robust, scalable, and secure digital solutions, visit https://www.fireant.com.au/ [https://www.fireant.com.au/]. ----- In this episode, we have Alison May, Assistant Chief Officer and Director of Community Risk & Resilience at the South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS), and Kirsten Ross, a Professor of Environmental Health at Flinders University. They talk about why bushfire preparedness isn’t just an individual effort but a community-driven process, how older Australians are reshaping disaster planning with their lived experience, and why social trust plays a bigger role in emergency response than official warnings. They also discuss the differences in bushfire preparedness across regions, the biggest challenges in getting people to plan for worst-case scenarios, and why innovation in disaster response isn’t just about technology but also about rethinking community engagement. If you want to learn new, research-backed ways to strengthen community resilience and rethink how emergency preparedness is done, then make sure to listen to this episode! ----- SHOW NOTES LINKS https://au.linkedin.com/in/alison-may-985b961aa [https://au.linkedin.com/in/alison-may-985b961aa] https://www.cfs.sa.gov.au/ [https://www.cfs.sa.gov.au/] https://www.facebook.com/countryfireservice/ [https://www.facebook.com/countryfireservice/] https://x.com/cfsalerts [https://x.com/cfsalerts] https://www.instagram.com/sa_countryfireservice/ [https://www.instagram.com/sa_countryfireservice/] https://www.flinders.edu.au/ [https://www.flinders.edu.au/] https://www.facebook.com/FlindersUniversity/ [https://www.facebook.com/FlindersUniversity/] https://www.instagram.com/flindersuniversity/ [https://www.instagram.com/flindersuniversity/] https://au.linkedin.com/school/flinders-university/ [https://au.linkedin.com/school/flinders-university/]  ----- LISTEN TO THE PODCAST Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3VAshQD [https://spoti.fi/3VAshQD] Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3VCLscS [https://apple.co/3VCLscS] Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/4bQIabq [https://amzn.to/4bQIabq] Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/3ViNRb5 [https://bit.ly/3ViNRb5]  ----- FIND US HERE Website: https://www.fireant.com.au/ [https://www.fireant.com.au/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fireant-pty-ltd/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/fireant-pty-ltd/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559184241111 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559184241111] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FireantDigital [https://www.youtube.com/@FireantDigital]  ----- CONTACT US hello@fireant.com.au ----- TIME STAMPS: 00:00 - Intro 01:32 - How Alison and Kirsten Met and Started the Project 02:23 - Combining Local Knowledge and Academic Research 04:13 - Neighbors Have Trust in One Another 06:07 - Recommendations for South Australian Agencies 08:05 - Cfs’ Biggest Challenges 10:20 - How Technology Will Support Elderly Populations? 13:17 - Outro ----- DISCLAIMER The information provided in this podcast is for general purposes only and should not be considered personal advice. Al

Lara Beattie (Red Cross Manager) Explains the Game-Changing AIM Model for Emergency Response

If you're a first responder, frontline worker, or volunteer organisation looking for robust, scalable, and secure digital solutions, visit https://www.fireant.com.au/ [https://www.fireant.com.au/] . --- In this episode, we have Lara Beattie, the NSW and ACT Manager of Preparedness and Resilience for Australian Red Cross, who leads the delivery of disaster resilience programs and develops strategic initiatives to strengthen community preparedness across the region. Lara talks about the Red Cross's unique position in supporting communities before, during, and after disasters, the importance of preparing not just for survival but for recovery, and their innovative AIM model that helps people prepare their minds for emergencies. She also discusses how the Red Cross's Ready Plan was developed from lessons learned during the Black Saturday bushfires, the groundbreaking Coffs Coast Multi-Lingual Emergency Warnings Network that translates emergency messages into 22+ languages, and an exciting AI motion capture project creating Auslan resources for the deaf community. If you want to learn cutting-edge approaches to disaster preparedness that blend community wisdom with technological innovation, then make sure to listen to this episode! --- SHOW NOTES LINKS https://www.linkedin.com/in/lara-beattie-9748b4a7/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lara-beattie-9748b4a7/] https://www.redcross.org.au/ [https://www.redcross.org.au/] https://www.linkedin.com/company/australian-red-cross/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/australian-red-cross/] https://www.facebook.com/AustralianRedCross/ [https://www.facebook.com/AustralianRedCross/] https://www.instagram.com/redcrossau [https://www.instagram.com/redcrossau] https://www.youtube.com/user/AustralianRedCross [https://www.youtube.com/user/AustralianRedCross]  --- LISTEN TO THE PODCAST Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3VAshQD [https://spoti.fi/3VAshQD] Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3VCLscS [https://apple.co/3VCLscS] Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/4bQIabq [https://amzn.to/4bQIabq] Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/3ViNRb5 [https://bit.ly/3ViNRb5]  --- FIND US HERE Website: https://www.fireant.com.au/ [https://www.fireant.com.au/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fireant-pty-ltd/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/fireant-pty-ltd/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559184241111 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559184241111] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FireantDigital [https://www.youtube.com/@FireantDigital]   --- CONTACT US hello@fireant.com.au --- TIME STAMPS 00:00 - Intro 01:29 - Red Cross' Role In Community Preparedness 02:46 - Why It's Crucial for Communities To Be Prepared for Emergencies 04:33 -Identifying Key Areas Red Cross Targets with Individuals & Communities 06:21 - Insights Into The Coffs Coast Multi-Lingual Emergency Warnings Project 07:59 - Red Cross'AI Motion Capture Technology --- DISCLAIMER The information provided in this podcast is for general purposes only and should not be considered personal advice. Always consult with qualified professionals or experts in the relevant field for personalised advice tailored to your specific situation.