From Preparedness to Response | Aligning Operations and Connectivity in Emergencies
Tracks
Room 3 - Gold Coast Ballroom
| Monday, July 27, 2026 |
| 1:55 PM - 2:25 PM |
| Room 3 - Gold Coast Ballroom |
Overview
Michael Dopking, LifeFlight & Darren Cooley, Pivotel
Details
Three Key Learnings
1. Understand how resilient communications support emergency preparedness, response and recovery.
2. Learn practical considerations for maintaining communications continuity during major incidents and disasters.
3. Explore how collaboration between operational and technology teams improves emergency response and organisational resilience.
Speaker
Mr Darren Cooley
Head Of Enterprise/government
Pivotel
From Preparedness to Response | Aligning Operations and Connectivity in Emergencies
Abstract
Effective emergency management relies on more than well-developed plans. It depends on people, processes and technology working together before, during and after an incident.
In this session, Michael Dopking from LifeFlight and Darren Cooley, Head of Enterprise & Government at Pivotel, will explore the critical role communications and connectivity play in supporting emergency operations.
Through a conversational discussion, Michael will share the operational perspective on preparedness, response and resilience, while Darren will discuss the communications and connectivity capabilities that enable organisations to maintain situational awareness, coordinate response activities and sustain operations when conventional infrastructure is disrupted.
Drawing on real-world experiences, including lessons from Tropical Cyclone Alfred and other emergency response scenarios, the presenters will explore how resilient communications support frontline teams, improve operational coordination and strengthen organisational resilience. The discussion will focus on practical challenges, key considerations for communications planning, and the importance of aligning operational requirements with technology capabilities before, during and after an incident.
Attendees will leave with practical insights into planning for communications continuity, understanding the role of resilient connectivity in emergency management, and fostering stronger collaboration between operational and technology teams to improve response and recovery outcomes.
In this session, Michael Dopking from LifeFlight and Darren Cooley, Head of Enterprise & Government at Pivotel, will explore the critical role communications and connectivity play in supporting emergency operations.
Through a conversational discussion, Michael will share the operational perspective on preparedness, response and resilience, while Darren will discuss the communications and connectivity capabilities that enable organisations to maintain situational awareness, coordinate response activities and sustain operations when conventional infrastructure is disrupted.
Drawing on real-world experiences, including lessons from Tropical Cyclone Alfred and other emergency response scenarios, the presenters will explore how resilient communications support frontline teams, improve operational coordination and strengthen organisational resilience. The discussion will focus on practical challenges, key considerations for communications planning, and the importance of aligning operational requirements with technology capabilities before, during and after an incident.
Attendees will leave with practical insights into planning for communications continuity, understanding the role of resilient connectivity in emergency management, and fostering stronger collaboration between operational and technology teams to improve response and recovery outcomes.
Biography
Darren Cooley has more than 20 years' experience delivering enterprise, government and critical communications solutions across Australia. As Head of Enterprise & Government at Pivotel, he works with organisations to design resilient connectivity solutions that support operations in metropolitan, regional and remote environments. Darren brings extensive expertise across fixed, cellular and satellite networks, with a strong focus on helping organisations strengthen communications capability, operational resilience and business continuity.
Michael Dopking
LifeFlight
From Preparedness to Response | Aligning Operations and Connectivity in Emergencies
Abstract
Effective emergency management relies on more than well-developed plans. It depends on people, processes and technology working together before, during and after an incident.
In this session, Michael Dopking from LifeFlight and Darren Cooley, Head of Enterprise & Government at Pivotel, will explore the critical role communications and connectivity play in supporting emergency operations.
Through a conversational discussion, Michael will share the operational perspective on preparedness, response and resilience, while Darren will discuss the communications and connectivity capabilities that enable organisations to maintain situational awareness, coordinate response activities and sustain operations when conventional infrastructure is disrupted.
Drawing on real-world experiences, including lessons from Tropical Cyclone Alfred and other emergency response scenarios, the presenters will explore how resilient communications support frontline teams, improve operational coordination and strengthen organisational resilience. The discussion will focus on practical challenges, key considerations for communications planning, and the importance of aligning operational requirements with technology capabilities before, during and after an incident.
Attendees will leave with practical insights into planning for communications continuity, understanding the role of resilient connectivity in emergency management, and fostering stronger collaboration between operational and technology teams to improve response and recovery outcomes.
In this session, Michael Dopking from LifeFlight and Darren Cooley, Head of Enterprise & Government at Pivotel, will explore the critical role communications and connectivity play in supporting emergency operations.
Through a conversational discussion, Michael will share the operational perspective on preparedness, response and resilience, while Darren will discuss the communications and connectivity capabilities that enable organisations to maintain situational awareness, coordinate response activities and sustain operations when conventional infrastructure is disrupted.
Drawing on real-world experiences, including lessons from Tropical Cyclone Alfred and other emergency response scenarios, the presenters will explore how resilient communications support frontline teams, improve operational coordination and strengthen organisational resilience. The discussion will focus on practical challenges, key considerations for communications planning, and the importance of aligning operational requirements with technology capabilities before, during and after an incident.
Attendees will leave with practical insights into planning for communications continuity, understanding the role of resilient connectivity in emergency management, and fostering stronger collaboration between operational and technology teams to improve response and recovery outcomes.
Biography
Michael Dopking brings more than 40 years of experience across aviation, defence and emergency services. Following a distinguished career with the Australian Defence Force, he joined LifeFlight, where he has played a key role in the organisation's growth and operational capability. Michael has extensive expertise in aviation engineering, quality and safety, and supports the delivery of critical aeromedical and emergency response operations across Australia. His practical experience provides a unique perspective on preparedness, resilience and the operational demands of emergency services.
