The Fireant Podcast

Fireant
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The Fireant Podcast aims to empower first responder, frontline worker and volunteer organisations through modern digital innovation and leadership.

  1. 08/10/2025

    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.ses.nsw.gov.au/ https://www.facebook.com/NSW.SES https://www.instagram.com/nswses/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/nswses/ -----   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  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.

    29 min

  2. 07/20/2025

    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/. —-------- 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.fire.nsw.gov.au/  https://www.twitter.com/FRNSW  https://www.facebook.com/frnsw  https://www.instagram.com/fireandrescuensw  https://www.youtube.com/fireandrescuensw  https://www.linkedin.com/company/frnsw   ----- 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 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.

    14 min

  3. 04/13/2025

    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.

    9 min

  4. 03/30/2025

    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/. ----- 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://www.cfs.sa.gov.au/ https://www.facebook.com/countryfireservice/ https://x.com/cfsalerts https://www.instagram.com/sa_countryfireservice/ https://www.flinders.edu.au/ https://www.facebook.com/FlindersUniversity/ https://www.instagram.com/flindersuniversity/ https://au.linkedin.com/school/flinders-university/  ----- 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 01:32 - 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

    13 min

  5. 03/16/2025

    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/ . --- 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.redcross.org.au/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/australian-red-cross/ https://www.facebook.com/AustralianRedCross/ https://www.instagram.com/redcrossau https://www.youtube.com/user/AustralianRedCross  --- 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 01:29 - 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.

    10 min

  6. 12/17/2024

    Genie Tan of Connectivity Innovation Network: How Australia Can Achieve Ubiquitous Connectivity

    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 Genie Tan, the Chief Operations Officer of the Connectivity Innovation Network, a ground-breaking New South Wales Government initiative developed by the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer and NSW Telco Authority. Genie talks about the challenges of achieving ubiquitous connectivity in Australia's vast landscape, the innovative use of existing mobile networks as environmental sensors, and the development of a secure multi-organisation data-sharing platform for emergency services. She also discusses the importance of regional symposiums in understanding rural connectivity needs, the concept of the digital divide and its impact on communities, and a promising rapidly deployable large-area Wi-Fi system that could revolutionise emergency communications. If you want to learn how cutting-edge connectivity solutions are shaping the future of technology and community safety in Australia, then make sure to listen to this episode! -----   SHOW NOTES LINKS   https://au.linkedin.com/in/genie-tan-18b6ab117  https://www.connectivityinnovationnetwork.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/company/connectivity-innovation-network/  -----   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 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FireantDigital      -----   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: 00:35 - Intro 03:35 - Joining Connectivity Network 06:11 - Connectivity in Australia 08:38 - NSW Being “Tested” for Connectivity 10:04 - TPG X UTS Joint Venture 12:56 - Project Status on the TPG X UTS Venture 14:07 - Symposium in Wagga Wagga 17:05 - Important of Running Regional Events 18:12 - The Digital Divide 21:18 - What Is Smods? 24:2728:55 - The Most Promising Innovation Tech in Australia 28:55 - 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.

    30 min

  7. 12/03/2024

    Sanja Marais (Aspen Medical's CTSO) Talks About What's Inside Their Game-Changing Digital Health Platform

    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 Sanja Marais, Chief Technology and Security Officer at Aspen Medical, who brings over 14 years of experience in the Australian health sector, excelling in strategic leadership and driving digital transformation. Sanja shares how reinventing yourself in a new country can lead to unexpected career opportunities, why changing the narrative around tech careers is crucial for attracting more women, and how digital innovation looks different across various global contexts. If you want to learn how to break technological barriers, drive digital innovation in your organisation, and understand the power of strategic partnerships, then make sure to listen to this episode! ----- SHOW NOTES LINKS https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanja-marais-2981487b/  https://www.vitaport.au/  https://www.aspenmedical.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/company/aspen-medical-pty-ltd/  https://www.facebook.com/aspenmedical  https://www.youtube.com/user/AspenMedicalGroup  https://twitter.com/aspen_medical  https://www.instagram.com/aspen_medical/  ----- 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 01:47 - Who is Sanja Marais? 04:29 - Tech As a Career Path For Women 07:59 - Inspiring Young Women to Pursue Tech as a Career 09:18 - What Inspires Sanja? 12:06: - Partnerships with Aspen Medical 13:07 - Aspen Medical's Innovative Product "Vita Port" 16:31 - Being Supported Supported Globally 18:04 - Product Feedback From Corporations 23:18 - The Secret to Running a Business Smoothly 25:33 - Digital Product Roadmap 29:02 - 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.

    30 min

  8. 11/19/2024

    Alex Barrell (Commissioner of Marine Rescue NSW) on How They Embrace Technology To Save Lives & Enable Volunteers

    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 Alex Barrell, the Commissioner of Marine Rescue New South Wales and a board member of the International Maritime Rescue Federation, who leads a non-profit, volunteer-based organisation dedicated to maritime rescue and coastal safety. Alex talks about the extraordinary commitment of 3,500 volunteers working 24/7 to ensure the safety of boaters across New South Wales, the organisation's evolution since 1937, and the professionalism that drives their life-saving operations. He also discusses the increasing financial pressures they face, the challenge of growing awareness among government leaders, and the innovative steps they take to future-proof marine rescue in the fast-evolving digital landscape. If you want to gain a deeper appreciation for the unsung heroes keeping our waterways safe and understand the complexities of running a volunteer-based emergency service, then make sure to listen to this episode! SHOW NOTES LINKS https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-barrell-411705119/ https://www.marinerescuensw.com.au/  https://www.facebook.com/MarineRescue/  https://www.instagram.com/marinerescuensw/  https://twitter.com/marinerescuensw  https://x.com/marinerescuensw  ----- 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 01:49 - NSW Marine Rescue 02:37 - Volunteers for Nsw Marine Rescue 07:22 - Being the Commissioner of NSW // What Inspired Alex to Join the Team 10:04 - Unexpected Challenges of NSWMR 12:10 - Raising Funds for Nswmr / Gov Funding 14:10 - Connecting with National Colleagues 16:46 - How Is NSW Investing in Digital Transformation? 19:44 - Opportunities for New Tech Integration for NSWMR 23:40 - Looking Beyond NSW + Aus // Global Insights and Trends 28:16 - Public/Private Help from Organisations 33:37- Alex’s Message to the Community 36:02 - 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.

    37 min
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About

The Fireant Podcast aims to empower first responder, frontline worker and volunteer organisations through modern digital innovation and leadership.

Information

  • Creator
    Fireant
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Fireant Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Fireant Podcast