- Canadians deploy Emergency WA technology amid ongoing wildfire threat
- Warning system keeping residents safe in one of Canada's biggest provinces
- WA firefighters return home after tackling extreme conditions on other side of world
Life-saving technology developed in Western Australia and funded by the State Government is being rolled out in Canada following the recent deadly wildfires.
The Emergency WA warning system is now being used by the Manitoba Emergency Management Organisation across the province of Manitoba, which borders the United States and is one of Canada's largest provinces.
Multiple states of emergency have been declared there in recent months as hundreds of wildfires burnt out of control, killing two people, destroying homes and forcing thousands to evacuate.
The world-class WA developed app and website enables users to receive instant notifications for warnings, incidents and other alerts in custom watch zones. It provides critical information to people impacted by emergencies, helping them make life-saving decisions as natural disasters unfold.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) is a leader in the delivery of effective emergency information given its experience responding to bushfires, floods and cyclones in the vast state of WA.
DFES Public Information manager Anni Fordham, a Churchill Fellow, recently travelled to Manitoba to help implement the new warning technology, which will become a trusted source of information for Canadian communities.
It comes as 21 emergency services personnel returned home from battling blazes in Canada, providing much-needed relief to firefighting friends on the other side of the world while 32 still in the Alberta region.
Emergency WA is the State's official source for authoritative, accurate and timely emergency information with more than 36 million page views in the past 12 months and more than 135 million views since its launch in 2016.
The State Government launched the Emergency WA app last December as part of its $16 million investment to ensure WA has a world-class warning system, underpinned by cutting-edge research and a team of experts who are regularly sought after by other jurisdictions.
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Paul Papalia:
"WA technology is saving lives here at home and around the world.
"We're incredibly proud to see our homegrown Emergency WA platform, along with our world-leading public information strategies, supporting Canadian communities in their time of need.
"From groundbreaking technology and sector-leading research to boots on the ground, our emergency services are dedicated to protecting people no matter where they live.
"One hundred and ninety Western Australians have deployed to North America since 2021, including 164 to Canada, supporting the wildfire response efforts in firefighting and incident management specialist roles."
As stated by Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm AFSM:
"The fact Manitoba chose to adopt the DFES Emergency WA technology, as well as embracing our leading expertise in the critical field of public information, shows how highly regarded Western Australia is internationally in the emergency services sector.
"WA firefighters are also renowned worldwide for their expertise in managing destructive fires in difficult terrain and have provided much-needed relief to Canadian crews on the frontline.
"The situation in Canada is the perfect reminder for all Western Australians to take advantage of the world-leading technology available at their fingertips and download our Emergency WA app so they can make life-saving decisions when hazards impact their community."
