Emergency management conference for Perth

• Australasia's premier emergency management conference to be held in Perth
• Topics include good practice in urban firefighting, prescribed burning, attracting young volunteers & how to combat the 'wait and see' mentality
• Conference set for August 28-31, 2012

More than 1,000 delegates will converge on Perth in August to discuss the latest challenges and trends in emergency management at the largest and most important conference of its kind.

Emergency Services Minister Troy Buswell said the State welcomed the opportunity to host internationally recognised experts at the 2012 Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC) and Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) Conference.

"With delegates coming from the United States, Europe, Asia and across Australia, the conference is a prestigious opportunity to share and learn from others," Mr Buswell said.

"It will enable Western Australian volunteers and career personnel to share their expertise with interstate colleagues and learn from their experiences.

"The Fire and Emergency Services Authority of WA (FESA) has a renewed focus on training and skills development, and this conference will bring new ideas to WA to inform our future strategies and direction."

FESA will fund fire and emergency services volunteers from across WA to attend the conference, so they can take new ideas back to regions across the State.

Environment Minister Bill Marmion said the 2012 conference was an opportunity for agencies to explore the challenges facing our fire managers.

"Across Australia, fire management agencies face very different environments, but there are common challenges and opportunities to learn from each other," Mr Marmion said.

Highlights over the four days include a research forum, two-day conference program, professional development opportunities and one of the biggest emergency management trade exhibitions in the southern hemisphere.  Delegates will also undertake field trips to the Great Western and Dryandra woodlands, Kwinana industrial area, Fremantle port and Mandurah to learn first-hand about local strategies in emergency management.

        Fact File

• Guest speakers include the Hon. Dr Barry Jones, demographer Bernard Salt, research psychologist Dr Carmen Lawrence, USA Arlington Country Fire Department chief James Schwartz, Victorian Emergency Services commissioner Michael Hallowes & NSW Emergency Management Committee chairman Phil Koperberg
• Full conference program is available at http://www.afac2012.org
  

Emergency Services Minister's office - 6552 6400
Environment Minister's office - 6552 6800