Turning global challenges into local solutions at AFAC25 – Australasia’s leading emergency management event, AFAC25 Conference & Exhibition powered by INTERSCHUTZ, returns to Perth for the first time in seven years – bringing together the full spectrum of fire, emergency service, health, research, and technology professionals.
When: 26 – 29 August 2025
Where: Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre
This year’s theme, ‘From local to global: leveraging systems, capability and connection’, will lead the conversations, which will explore how local and international learnings can shape stronger, more responsive systems to prevent, manage, and recover from emergencies.
AFAC25 Conference to deliver expert-led insights to improve emergency management
Held ahead of Australia’s fire season, the conference program provides a vital platform for delegates to hear from experts on the latest case studies, inquiries and best practice research. Highlight keynote sessions include:
· Mark Hardingham CBE QFSM, former Chair National Fire Chiefs Council –
Grenfell Tower Fire: Avoiding Disaster – Learning from the Public Inquiry
· Mami Mizutori, former Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, and Head of UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction –
We can do a better job to stay safe and alive
· Leigh Sales, AM, Author and Journalist –
Any Ordinary Day: Blindsides, Resilience, and What Happens After the Worst Day of Your Life
Rob Webb, CEO of AFAC, the Australian and New Zealand Council for fire and emergency services, said: “We are witnessing increasingly complex disasters across the globe. Through shared challenges come shared opportunities and like never before, global networks can become local networks. It's vital that that we actively seek to connect, share knowledge, and collectively accelerate along the path towards reducing disaster risk.
“We are in a period of rapid technological change, climate change, and our societies are changing the way they live. The emergency management sector across the globe are working as one to meet these challenges for the benefits of lives and livelihoods everywhere.”
AFAC25 will incorporate the Australian Disaster Resilience Conference, the Institution of Fire Engineers (Australia) National Conference and Exhibition and the Women and Firefighting Australasia Conference.
AFAC President and Western Australia’s Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm AFSMsaid: “Emergency management agencies need to be constantly learning so we can continue to evolve and better protect our communities.
“There are always new challenges for emergency services and by sharing ideas and technology at AFAC25 our agencies can look at ways to be better prepared for what we encounter now and into the future.
“I look forward to connecting with colleagues from across the globe to hear and see how our sector can enhance the way we keep communities safe.
“It’s a privilege to host this event in WA and we look forward to showcasing our emergency services and our State during the conference.”
AFAC25 Exhibition will feature innovations pushing boundaries
The Exhibition floor, spanning 16,000sqms, will showcase the latest in robots, trucks, AI automation systems,safety and medical equipment, and drones – a must-attend for all working in emergency management.
New this year, the Resources Rescue Theatre will deliver a range of sessions focused on mining rescue – a growing field and key topic of interest for host state, Western Australia.
The collaborative sectors in the Exhibition include:
- Workforce – WHS, people, systems and learning development
- Fire Safety – Building fire safety systems and building standards
- Capability – Equipment, PPE and fleet
- Community Risk Reduction – Mitigation strategies, warning systems, and risk management
- Response Operations – Real-time operational decision systems, incident management, communication technologies.
Returning features include the Solutions Theatre, AIDR Knowledge Centre and Demonstration Zone andNRMA’s Resilience Lane, providing grassroots and community organisations a platform to exhibit and showcase their important work in front of the industry. Find out more here: https://www.afacconference.com.au/the-exhibition.
To register and for more information, visit: https://www.afacconference.com.au/