The 2024 NT Emergency Management Symposium has commenced in Darwin today, hosted by NT Fire and Emergency Services.
The two-day event, supported by the NT Police Force and the Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet, brings together emergency management professionals and key stakeholders to engage in dynamic presentations, panel discussions and networking opportunities.
The event will cover a wide range of topics including seasonal outlooks, technological innovations, and workforce development, with a focus on enhancing the Territory's emergency management capabilities. Key speakers include senior representatives from the National Emergency Management Agency, the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience, and Natural Hazards Research Australia.
NT Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner, Andrew Warton, welcomed the learning opportunities offered by the Symposium.
"With the frequency and severity of natural hazards increasing, our emergency services have increased responsibilities across all phases of emergency management, from prevention and preparedness to response and recovery," Commissioner Warton said.
"This Symposium is a way for emergency services personnel to strengthen our professional practice by sharing experiences, insights, and innovative ideas.
"When faced with an emergency, Territorians consistently demonstrate their resilience and unwavering community spirit, and this is especially true of our emergency responders and volunteers."
The Symposium also marks the 50th anniversary of Severe Tropical Cyclone Tracy, which devastated Darwin on December 25, 1974. In the aftermath, the NT Emergency Service (NTES) was established in January 1975. The response to Cyclone Tracy heavily influenced emergency management in the Territory and reinforced the importance of preparedness.
The recent formation of the NT Fire and Emergency Services, which unites the NT Fire and Rescue Service, NT Emergency Service, and Bushfires NT under one agency, strengthens emergency response capabilities and prioritises building community resilience.
