Emergency Management Podcast

Stuart Walker
Emergency Management Podcast Podcast

The best in emergency management news, technologies and practices for experts in the field.

  1. 15/11/2019

    Victoria State Emergency Service – David Baker

    In this episode of the Emergency Management Podcast, we interview Deputy Chief Officer David Baker from the Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES). The VICSES  is the control agency for flood, storm, tsunami earthquake and landslide in Victoria (Australia). In this episode, we discuss: What do SES volunteers do? The volunteers at VICSES have a range of emergency management responsibilities. Volunteers respond to natural disasters including: flood, storm, earthquake, tsunami and landslide. SES volunteers also provide road rescue services. VICSES also assist the Victoria Police in search and rescue operations. Are all SES volunteers? In 2018 VICSES  had approximately: 3,547 Operational volunteers 910 Support Volunteers 80 Permanent operational staff 120 Permanent support staff VicSES Values In 2017, VICSES started a process to define its values. VICSES values include: We pride ourselves on our credibility We are part of our community Safety drives our decisions Focused and adaptable Together we are VICSES VICSES Operational Capability Strategy The aim of the Operational Capability Strategy is to explain both the rationale and the underpinning principles for the development and maintenance of operational capability of VICSES. Emergency Services Infrastructure Authority The aim of the Emergency Services Infrastructure Authority (ESIA) is to improve the delivery of emergency services infrastructure in Victoria. Currently, ESIA is delivering infrastructure for the Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES), and Life Saving Victoria (LSV) built infrastructure projects and Marine Search and Rescue (MSAR) sector vessels. We work as one The ethos of "We work as one" is a shared goal identified by Emergency Management Victoria. "We work as one" places a priority on both government and agencies working together cooperatively to enable a flexible and networked response that supports the community. The best piece of advice Mark Crosweller, AFSM - "‘imagine the unimaginable’ and act accordingly" - Improving our capability to better plan for, respond to, and recover from severe-to-catastrophic level disasters by Mark Crosweller   Richard de Crespigny (Captain of QF32) - At the beginning of the Singapore/Sydney leg of flight QF32, one of four engines exploded. The damage to the aircraft was extensive.   What is the SES phone number in Victoria? For emergencies how do you call SES? In Victoria, you can call 132 500 for flood, storm, tsunami and earthquake emergency. For life-threatening emergencies call Triple Zero (000). Victoria Head Office 168 Sturt StreetSouthbank, Victoria 3006 Phone: (03) 9256 9000International: +613 9256 9000 Ask questions or share your feedback Comment on the show notes Email feedback@emergencymanagementpodcast.com (audio files welcome) Visit the contact page Connect with me Subscribe to the Emergency Management Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Android Join the Facebook Page

    39 min
  2. 28/11/2018

    What does the American Red Cross do with data? – Brian Keenum – EMP11

    What does the American Red Cross do with data? What does the American Red Cross do with data? The answer is plenty. Indeed, data driven decision making informs their entire approach to managing emergencies. In this episode, we talk with Senior Director of Business Infrastructure for the American Red Cross Brian Keenum, who recently provided the keynote address at the Australian Esri User Conference. During our conversation, Brian shares his organisation's experience using world-class technology to enable more accurate, safe and effective decision making in the face of a crisis. Senior Director of Business Infrastructure for the American Red Cross Brian Keenum Data-Driven Decision Making Software Data-driven decision making involves making decisions that are backed by verifiable facts rather than making decisions that are intuitive or based on observation alone. The American Red Cross uses data-driven software to boost effective emergency management across the spectrum of prevention, response and recovery. RC View During the interview, Brian discusses RC View which is a custom-made application that uses that uses Esri's GIS technology. RC View informs the way that Red Cross responds to emergencies by: Providing the organisation’s volunteers and staff with real-time situational awareness Identifying and understanding the potential impact a crisis may bring Helping to inform who will be affected the worst Guiding the way that Red Cross should respond Providing the ability for Red Cross to focus their resources in real-time RC View brings together Federal, State and local data sources into one dynamic picture that informs the decisions and actions of the Red Cross workforce. RC View has improved the efficiency of workflow during large-scale national disaster relief operations, as well as everyday response to house fires and preparedness efforts within communities. Here are some links that you might like to read/watch for further information: Read The GIS solution that’s changing traditional emergency response and recovery - Mark Wallace Manager, Business Development (QLD, NT & PNG)– Esri Australia, Brisbane Read A business case for agency interoperability during large-scale crises Mark Wallace Manager, Business Development (QLD, NT & PNG)– Esri Australia, Brisbane Read A best-practice open data framework - Mark Wallace Manager, Business Development (QLD, NT & PNG)– Esri Australia, Brisbane Watch American Red Cross - Connecting and Helping Volunteers, Partners and Citizens in Need  Ask questions or share your feedback Comment on the show notes Email feedback@emergencymanagementpodcast.com (audio files welcome) Visit the contact page Connect with me Subscribe to the Emergency Management Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Android Join the Facebook Page

    30 min
  3. 30/09/2018

    Creating order from disorder through command – Ken Brown – EMP 10

    Ken Brown (AFSM) is currently the Acting Deputy Chief Officer and Acting Executive Director Operational Preparedness with the Metropolitan Fire & Emergency Services Board (MFB) located in Victoria, Australia. His Command and Control experience is extensive and he is well known for creating mentoring opportunities for his personnel. Ken joined the MFB in 1983. During his 35 years of service, 29 years have been spent in the officer ranks which also includes 6 years at an executive level as an Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO) and acting Deputy Chief Officer (ADCO). Ken’s substantive position is ACFO of the MFB’s Technical Operations Department. Ken is married (wife Rhonda) and has 6 children and 13 grandchildren...so far). ADCO Ken Browns Awards and Commendations Australian Fire Service Medal National Emergency Medal National Medal MFB Long and Good Service Medal   Chief Officer Commendation – Middle Park Fire Chief Officer Commendation – Hall Street Yarraville Fire SKM Coolaroo Recycling Plant Fire The fire at the SKM Coolaroo Recycling Plant (the Coolaroo fire) occurred on 13 July 2017 and burned for 11 days. As a result, the smoke plumes from the fire were observed across Melbourne for several days. There were numerous challenges and nearby residents and business were urged to evacuate due to concerns about the impact of air quality on human health. The Inspector General for Emergency Management completed a post-incident analysis the fire titled: Review of SKM Coolaroo Recycling Plant Fire. SKM Coolaroo Recycling Plant Fire Press Conference 14 July https://youtu.be/YgZaltC0QtM   Ask your questions or share your feedback Comment on the show notes Email feedback@emergencymanagementpodcast.com (audio files welcome) Visit the contact page Connect with me Subscribe to the Emergency Management Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Android Join the Facebook Page

    32 min
  4. 09/07/2018

    Nighttime Firebombing Aircraft – Wayne Rigg – EMP9

    Helicopter firefighting at night Nighttime firebombing aircraft are only a recent addition to the tools available to firefighters in Victoria, Australia. In the past, firebombing aircraft in Australia only worked during daylight hours. However, in 2018, Emergency Management Victoria led Australia's first trial in the use of firebombing aircraft to contain and extinguish wildfires at night. During the trial, pilots wore night-vision goggles, which are used to detect and boost light. Do water bombers work at night? In Victoria, water-bombing helicopters can work at night. In this episode, Commander Wayne Rigg talks about his role to carry out an Australian first trial in the use of helicopters in nighttime firefighting. The trial was a success and resulted in approval from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority regulatory to conduct night fire suppression activities using night vision goggles. About Wayne Rigg Wayne joined the CFA as a volunteer at the Eildon Fire Brigade in 1994 and then became a career firefighter in 1995. He was initially stationed at Ballarat City Fire Station and was then promoted through the ranks to Commander. Operations Officer Wayne Rigg Wayne trained as an Air Attack Supervisor in 2005 and has been involved in aerial firebombing since. He is now considered one of the leading subject matter experts within aerial firefighting in Australia. Wayne is also an air observer and air operations manager and performs many aviation coordination roles at Regional and State level. Before his work with Emergency Management Victoria, Wayne held the position of CFA Aviation Officer for six years. During this time he brought about significant changes in aerial firefighting and capability. These changes have resulted in improved service delivery and protection to ground crews and communities. Some of the projects that Wayne has been involved in include: Predetermined dispatch of firefighting aircraft. This means firebombing aircraft are responded to fires via an alert system at the same time as fire trucks are responded. Large firefighting Air Tankers. Airborne Information Gathering. Air Attack Supervisor rosters. Fleet changes and a range of other projects. Ask your questions or share your feedback Comment on the show notes Email feedback@emergencymanagementpodcast.com (audio files welcome) Visit the contact page Connect with me Subscribe to the Emergency Management Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Android Join the Facebook Page

    44 min
  5. 06/06/2018

    Emergency Medical Response & Wellbeing – Tony O’Day – EMP8

    Operations Manager Tony O'Day is head of the Country Fire Authority's (CFA) Emergency Medical Response (EMR) and Wellbeing team. In this episode, Tony explains the role of EMR and the wellbeing programs that CFA has introduced to manage the health and well-being of first responders and other CFA members. Operations Manager Tony O'Day Tony has held a variety of state and field-based positions during his career, including a stint as the Victorian Fire Services Liaison Officer for Victoria Police in the Counter-Terrorism Coordination and Emergency Management Department. What is Emergency Medical Response? When an EMR event occurs, both Ambulance Victoria (AV) and CFA resources are dispatched to the Emergency.  These emergencies are classified as Priority Zero events, which in the main involves people who are suffering potential cardiac arrest. According to CFA the "The primary aim of the EMR program is to reduce response time to cardiac arrest patients with a longer-term aim of improving survival outcomes". EMR means that patients can get access to early CPR and early defibrillation which increases survivability. When did Emergency Medical Response start in Victoria? The Metropolitan Fire Brigade began EMR in 2001. CFA commenced EMR in 2008 as part of a trial involving five volunteer brigades. The program has since been extended to CFA's Integrated brigades. CFAs Mental Health Programs The introduction of EMR has caused CFA to have a greater focus on managing mental health. CFA members have access to a range of mental health services including: Peer Program- psychological first aid (PFA) and personal support provided by trained CFA peers for personal or CFA-related issues. Chaplaincy Program- On-site and off-site non-denominational pastoral care support through an external provider. Member Assistance Program- Professional, confidential counselling through an external provider for personal or CFA-related issues. External Mental Health Service: Lifeline  13 11 14 or www.lifeline.org.au Beyondblue 1300 22 4636 or www.beyondblue.org.au Black Dog Institute  www.blackdoginstitute.org.au Bystander training CFA has recently introduced bystander training to help EMR first responders manage and assist people who may be present at an incident scene. Ask your questions or share your feedback Comment on the show notes Email feedback@emergencymanagementpodcast.com (audio files welcome) Visit the contact page Connect with me Subscribe to the Emergency Management Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Android Join the Facebook Page

    36 min
  6. 21/05/2018

    Time critical road accident rescue – Joff Van EK – EMP7

    Joff van Ek is a Station Officer with the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB), and he has a passion for road accident rescue.  He began his career as an operations centre officer with the South Australian Country Fire Service in 2003. Whilst in that role he had his first glimpse of emergency management, emergency call taking, appliance and firefighting aircraft dispatch. In 2007 Joff moved to Melbourne and became a firefighter with the MFB in 2007. Station Officer Joff Van Ek Joff is a technical assessor and trainer with the Australasian Road Rescue Organisation (ARRO). In addition, he is a guest lecturer for paramedical studies at Victoria University and practical presenter for the Holmatro Rescue experiences delivering rescue and medical training across all fire and rescue services in Australia. In 2015/16 Joff was seconded to the Country Fire Authority. During this time he worked with CFA firefighters to promote interoperability between Victoria’s fire services. Having returned to the MFB in 2017 and promoted to Station Officer, he is now furthering his education by enrolling in the Bachelor of Emergency Management with Charles Sturt University. Most of all Joff is passionate in promoting the work of firefighters and ensuring that they strive to maintain a high level of knowledge, training and innovation. Emergency Foundation Scholarship - Rapid Rescue Techniques In 2011 Joff completed an Emergency Services Foundation Scholarship studying the topic of “Rapid Extrication of time critical patients involved in vehicle accidents". The Scholarship saw Joff research worldwide best practices for road rescue extrication. As a result, he travelled to Europe where he found many countries who are world leaders in road accident rescue innovation. During the tour, Joff visited a number of countries including Norway where he learnt about rapid extrication techniques.   Joff Van Ek Connect with Joff Joff is a moderator for the Facebook pages Extrication Matters and Fireground matters which encourage the sharing of knowledge and experience with those in the emergency management sector. You can connect with him on LinkedIn or on Instagram @therescuefireman. Ask your questions or share your feedback Comment on the show notes Email feedback@emergencymanagementpodcast.com (audio files welcome) Visit the contact page Connect with me Subscribe to the Emergency Management Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Android Join the Facebook Page

    37 min

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