AI Workshop for Volunteer Leadership in the Emergency Services
Tracks
Southport Room 1
| Monday, July 27, 2026 |
| 11:10 AM - 11:30 AM |
| Southport Room 1 |
Overview
Ali Cupitt, Queensland State Emergency Service
Participants must bring a laptop to participate in the second part of this workshop
Participants must bring a laptop to participate in the second part of this workshop
Details
Three Key Learnings
1. Save Time, Focus on People
AI can handle routine operational and administrative tasks, from SMEACs and SITREPs to rostering and training plans, giving leaders more time to mentor, support, and engage with their members.
2. Plan Smarter, Not Harder
AI enables scenario simulations, multi-step workflows, and predictive insights, helping leaders anticipate challenges, optimise volunteer allocation, and improve decision-making.
3. Use AI Responsibly as a Strategic Partner
AI is a tool, not a replacement: leaders must review outputs, safeguard sensitive information, and apply human judgment while leveraging AI to streamline processes and enhance leadership effectiveness.
Speaker
Ms Ali Cupitt
Group Leader
Queensland State Emergency Service
AI Workshop for Volunteer Leadership in the Emergency Services
Abstract
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming how emergency services leaders plan, coordinate, and manage operations, and volunteer leaders can harness it to spend more time with their people and less time on administration.
In this interactive, hands-on workshop, Ali Cupitt, Group Leader of Brisbane’s Eastern SES Group, will guide participants through practical and advanced AI applications relevant to SES leadership.
Attendees will learn how to:
Quickly generate operational documents such as joining instructions, operational orders, SMEACs, and SITREPs.
Develop training session plans with structured injects and debrief prompts.
Manage human resource tasks, including rostering, award nominations and attendance letters.
Simulate realistic operational scenarios, combining planning, training, and volunteer allocation into a single workflow.
Designed for both new and experienced AI users, this workshop emphasizes practical, low-risk techniques with immediate impact. Through live demonstrations and hands-on exercises, participants will gain confidence using AI as a digital assistant and strategic partner, freeing them to focus on mentoring, leading, and supporting their volunteers on the ground.
By the end of the session in which users must bring their own laptop to participate, attendees will leave with practical skills, ready-to-use prompts, and the confidence to integrate AI safely into their SES operations.
In this interactive, hands-on workshop, Ali Cupitt, Group Leader of Brisbane’s Eastern SES Group, will guide participants through practical and advanced AI applications relevant to SES leadership.
Attendees will learn how to:
Quickly generate operational documents such as joining instructions, operational orders, SMEACs, and SITREPs.
Develop training session plans with structured injects and debrief prompts.
Manage human resource tasks, including rostering, award nominations and attendance letters.
Simulate realistic operational scenarios, combining planning, training, and volunteer allocation into a single workflow.
Designed for both new and experienced AI users, this workshop emphasizes practical, low-risk techniques with immediate impact. Through live demonstrations and hands-on exercises, participants will gain confidence using AI as a digital assistant and strategic partner, freeing them to focus on mentoring, leading, and supporting their volunteers on the ground.
By the end of the session in which users must bring their own laptop to participate, attendees will leave with practical skills, ready-to-use prompts, and the confidence to integrate AI safely into their SES operations.
Biography
Ali Cupitt (GradCertPM, MAIES) has been a proud member of the State Emergency Service since 2018, serving in an executive role since 2020 and as Group Leader of Brisbane’s Eastern Group since May 2022. With a professional background in IT Project Delivery and a Graduate Certificate in Project Management from Southern Cross University, Ali brings a structured and innovative approach to emergency leadership. She has a strong passion for Incident Management, Training and Communication, and is dedicated to building capability and confidence to her membership. Based in Wynnum, Ali lives with her wife, stepson, and three dogs.
