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/

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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

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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

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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.

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!

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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

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CONTACT US

hello@fireant.com.au

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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

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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.

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/.

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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!

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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

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CONTACT US

hello@fireant.com.au

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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

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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.