Antarctic Challenges: The Australian Antarctic Division's approach to Incident Management in Extreme Conditions
Tracks
Marquis Room | In-Person Only
Monday, July 22, 2024 |
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM |
Overview
Simon Owen, Australian Antarctic Division & Mike Shapland, UBH Group
Details
Presentation Key Learnings:
1. Safety remains paramount for all involved, emphasizing the well-being of both those rescued and the rescuers.
2. Technology serves as a crucial facilitator, although cultural barriers may present challenges to its adoption.
3. Australia has excellent guidance for strategic and operational planning, yet adaptation and acceptance of such frameworks requires persistent efforts.
Speaker
Simon Owen
Asst Director Antarctic Operations
Australian Antartic Division
Antarctic Challenges: The Australian Antarctic Division's approach to Incident Management in Extreme Conditions
Abstract
Imagine that the incident or emergency you are managing is four and a half hours flying time away, and over seven days by ship. Imagine that the temperature for first responders is below zero - and at times well below zero. Imagine that the emergency you are dealing with may be compounded by another incident arising at one of three other locations, all of which confront equally harsh conditions. And there is no one else to deal with this but you.
The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) routinely manages difficult and dynamic air, land and maritime operations in remote and hostile locations. It holds a unique position in the contemporary Disaster and Emergency Management field.
This presentation first delves into the challenges faced throughout the year by Australians who volunteer to carry out vital scientific and maintenance work in the 5.9 million square kilometres of Australian Antarctic territory.
It uses recent events, to underscore the complexity of managing emergencies across immense distances and hostile climates.
It goes on to show how the AAD keeps at the cutting edge of preparing for such events. Its key focus areas include:
• Establishment of a state-of-the-art Operations Management Centre in Hobart, centralizing information and logistics management.
• Implementation of technology upgrades and enhanced communication systems to prioritize expeditioner safety.
• Refinement of strategic and operational planning processes tailored to the extreme Antarctic environment.
The presentation ends with three key learnings.
• Safety remains paramount for all involved, emphasizing the well-being of both those rescued and the rescuers.
• Technology serves as a crucial facilitator, although cultural barriers may present challenges to its adoption.
• Australia has excellent guidance for strategic and operational planning, yet adaptation and acceptance of such frameworks requires persistent efforts.
The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) routinely manages difficult and dynamic air, land and maritime operations in remote and hostile locations. It holds a unique position in the contemporary Disaster and Emergency Management field.
This presentation first delves into the challenges faced throughout the year by Australians who volunteer to carry out vital scientific and maintenance work in the 5.9 million square kilometres of Australian Antarctic territory.
It uses recent events, to underscore the complexity of managing emergencies across immense distances and hostile climates.
It goes on to show how the AAD keeps at the cutting edge of preparing for such events. Its key focus areas include:
• Establishment of a state-of-the-art Operations Management Centre in Hobart, centralizing information and logistics management.
• Implementation of technology upgrades and enhanced communication systems to prioritize expeditioner safety.
• Refinement of strategic and operational planning processes tailored to the extreme Antarctic environment.
The presentation ends with three key learnings.
• Safety remains paramount for all involved, emphasizing the well-being of both those rescued and the rescuers.
• Technology serves as a crucial facilitator, although cultural barriers may present challenges to its adoption.
• Australia has excellent guidance for strategic and operational planning, yet adaptation and acceptance of such frameworks requires persistent efforts.
Biography
Simon has 20 years of working in, leading, and mentoring small, high-performance teams in remote, austere and complex operational environments. Roles have included as Fire Commander, Aviation Rescue and Fire Fighting, with Mines Rescue, Australian Army, Tasmania Police and as trainer of firefighters internationally.
With the Australian Antarctic Division, he has been Voyage Leader to Macquarie Island, Operations Management Centre Watch Supervisor, and has regularly acted as Chief of Operations. He holds a Bachelor of Emergency Management (with Distinction), Diploma of Public Safety (Firefighting Management) and is an accredited AIIMS level 2 Incident Controller.
Mr Mike Shapland
Specialist Consultant for the Australian Antarctic Division
UBH Group
Antarctic Challenges: The Australian Antarctic Division's approach to Incident Management in Extreme Conditions.
Abstract
Imagine that the incident or emergency you are managing is four and a half hours flying time away, and over seven days by ship. Imagine that the temperature for first responders is below zero - and at times well below zero. Imagine that the emergency you are dealing with may be compounded by another incident arising at one of three other locations, all of which confront equally harsh conditions. And there is no one else to deal with this but you.
The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) routinely manages difficult and dynamic air, land and maritime operations in remote and hostile locations. It holds a unique position in the contemporary Disaster and Emergency Management field.
This presentation first delves into the challenges faced throughout the year by Australians who volunteer to carry out vital scientific and maintenance work in the 5.9 million square kilometres of Australian Antarctic territory.
It uses recent events, to underscore the complexity of managing emergencies across immense distances and hostile climates.
It goes on to show how the AAD keeps at the cutting edge of preparing for such events. Its key focus areas include:
• Establishment of a state-of-the-art Operations Management Centre in Hobart, centralizing information and logistics management.
• Implementation of technology upgrades and enhanced communication systems to prioritize expeditioner safety.
• Refinement of strategic and operational planning processes tailored to the extreme Antarctic environment.
The presentation ends with three key learnings.
• Safety remains paramount for all involved, emphasizing the well-being of both those rescued and the rescuers.
• Technology serves as a crucial facilitator, although cultural barriers may present challenges to its adoption.
• Australia has excellent guidance for strategic and operational planning, yet adaptation and acceptance of such frameworks requires persistent efforts.
The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) routinely manages difficult and dynamic air, land and maritime operations in remote and hostile locations. It holds a unique position in the contemporary Disaster and Emergency Management field.
This presentation first delves into the challenges faced throughout the year by Australians who volunteer to carry out vital scientific and maintenance work in the 5.9 million square kilometres of Australian Antarctic territory.
It uses recent events, to underscore the complexity of managing emergencies across immense distances and hostile climates.
It goes on to show how the AAD keeps at the cutting edge of preparing for such events. Its key focus areas include:
• Establishment of a state-of-the-art Operations Management Centre in Hobart, centralizing information and logistics management.
• Implementation of technology upgrades and enhanced communication systems to prioritize expeditioner safety.
• Refinement of strategic and operational planning processes tailored to the extreme Antarctic environment.
The presentation ends with three key learnings.
• Safety remains paramount for all involved, emphasizing the well-being of both those rescued and the rescuers.
• Technology serves as a crucial facilitator, although cultural barriers may present challenges to its adoption.
• Australia has excellent guidance for strategic and operational planning, yet adaptation and acceptance of such frameworks requires persistent efforts.
Biography
Mike is a specialist from UBH Group working with the Australian Antarctic Division and brings over 20 years experience working in the disaster management field. In Queensland he has been Director Disaster Operations, Regional Director for SES and disaster management in the Southeast, initiating Director of the ‘Get Ready’ program, and Executive Director for Assurance and Evaluation in the Office of the Inspector-General of Emergency Management. He is a former lieutenant colonel in the Royal Tank Regiment, a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, a committee member of the Australasian Institute of Emergency Services, and an SES volunteer.
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