Join us for the next NERO Network Café webinar, where leading experts will share how Australia prepares for and responds to wildfires—before and during fire events—with a strong focus on the collaboration between science and practice.
🗓️ Date: Tuesday, 10 June 2025
🕙 Time: 10:00 CET / 18:00 AEST
📍 Platform: Microsoft Teams
💬 Language: English
🔥 What to Expect:
This session will provide exclusive insights into how meteorological data, fire behaviour science, and risk analysis tools are integrated into real-time decision-making during wildfire emergencies.
Moderator:
- Melissa O’Halloran – NSW Rural Fire Service
Speakers:
- Mika Peace – Bureau of Meteorology
- John Runcie – NSW Rural Fire Service
- Jason Sharples – UNSW Canberra
- Simon Heemstra – NSW Rural Fire Service
🔍 Topics include:
- Understanding fire risk through meteorological data
- The Australian Fire Danger Rating System
- Science-supported decision-making in active fire scenarios
- Empirical approaches to fire analysis
✅ Register Now
Participation is free, but registration is required.
👉 Click here to register
Once registered, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a link to join the webinar via Microsoft Teams.
🎤 Speakers & Moderator – Short Bios
Jason Sharples
Professor of Bushfire Dynamics, UNSW Canberra
Jason is a mathematical scientist and foundation Director of UNSW Bushfire. A global expert in dynamic wildfire behaviour, his research uses advanced models to understand extreme wildfire propagation. His work has shaped both policy and operations across Australia. Jason also serves as Operations Node Leader in the NSW Bushfire and Natural Hazards Research Centre and is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering. He has hands-on fireground experience as a former ACT RFS firefighter and has advised numerous national inquiries.
Simon Heemstra
Director, Community Resilience, NSW Rural Fire Service
Simon has been with the NSW RFS since 1994, beginning as a volunteer. He completed a PhD on Bushfire Patchiness and has led key national efforts in fire behaviour prediction and community safety. Simon established predictive services at the Bureau of Meteorology and returned to the RFS to oversee six major teams, including risk management, strategic hazard planning, and the AFDRS. He currently chairs the AFAC Community Safety Group.
Mika Peace
Fire Weather Researcher, Bureau of Meteorology
Mika is part of the Bureau’s High Impact Weather team, specialising in bushfire case studies and fire-atmosphere modelling with ACCESS-Fire. She provides critical briefings to stakeholders during fire events and supports operational decision-making through weather-impact assessments.
John Runcie
Team Lead, Australian Fire Danger Rating System, NSW Rural Fire Service
John is a long-serving volunteer firefighter and RAFT member. With a background in plant science and mathematical modelling, he joined the RFS in 2018 to support the development of the AFDRS. He now leads a team creating innovative tools to improve fire danger rating accuracy and public communication.
Melissa O’Halloran (Moderator)
Manager, Bush Fire Risk Planning, NSW Rural Fire Service
Melissa has worked at the RFS for over two decades and leads the team developing next-generation Bush Fire Risk Management Plans. She collaborates closely with researchers to embed science into policy and practice, helping improve community resilience through fire behaviour modelling and local planning.
We look forward to welcoming you to an engaging and insightful discussion!
