The Malinauskas Labor Government has committed $550,000 to provide faster and clearer warnings for the community in the event of a bushfire.
The Rapid Warning Message Project will utilise AI technology to provide critical, clear and accurate warnings within seconds, rather than the time-consuming manual task which can take precious minutes in an emergency.
The trial will see the automated warning messages manually reviewed by authorised and experienced staff members before released to the public and media.
Currently, warnings are prepared entirely by staff, relying on manual drafting and cross-checking.
During fast-moving bushfire incidents, there can be a critical delay between calculating a fire impact area and issuing a public warning. Staff must manually interpret the predicted spread, draft messages, and ensure they meet agency standards before release. This process can take valuable minutes during which time the fire is continuing to spread.
The use of new technology has the potential to save lives in an emergency:
- Significantly reduce the time between identifying a threat and issuing a public warning
- Improve the consistency and clarity of messaging
- Reduce operational workload for staff in high-pressure situations
- Reduce message error rate
The initiative is funded through the State Government's $28 million AI Proof of Value program which supports targeted trials of high-impact AI applications across government services and operations.
Work on the Rapid Warning Message Project will begin this month, with the technology to be trialled and evaluated by the CFS over the next 12 months.
As put by Chris Picton
We all know the dangers bushfires pose. This technology has the potential to significantly reduce delays, improve accuracy and consistency, and ultimately save lives.
This is an example of AI technology helping the community and the emergency service workers.
Previously, these highly skilled staff were manually modelling and drafting messages, soon that warning will be created within seconds.
This is a practical example of how new technology can be used to save lives and strengthen our emergency response.
As put by Rhiannon Pearce
During a bushfire, every second counts and this investment will help ensure South Australians get the information they need, faster than ever before.
The Rapid Warning Message Project will use the latest technology to turn complex fire modelling into clear, public warnings in a matter of seconds.
This is about giving communities earlier warnings, clearer advice, and ultimately more time to act to keep themselves and their families safe.
As put by SA Country Fire Service Executive Director Statewide Operations Brenton Hastie
We are always seeking new tools and technology CFS staff can use to improve our emergency response and better inform the community about risk.
AI technology will grow the tools our experienced staff already utilise to make life-saving decisions.
We are proud to be the first SA emergency service to explore AI's ability to provide critical public information and enhance the way we report on and manage fires.
