Volunteers are the heart of emergency services, but knowing everyone’s strengths can be difficult to identify…until now.Meet Michael Tovine from Fire and Emergency New Zealand and volunteer firefighter who helped design a portal containing the superpowers of local volunteers to be used for special missions. *This series was recorded live at the AFAC25 Conference in Perth.-----Find us on: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dfeswaTwitter (X) https://x.com/dfes_waInstagram https://www.instagram.com/dfes_waTikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@dfes_waLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/department-fire-and-emergency-servicesYoutube https://www.youtube.com/dfeswesternaustraliaWebsite https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/-----Credits: Interviewer: Di Darmody Producers: Silvana Pulitano and Pippa WoolnoughGuest: Michael Tovine, Fire and Emergency New Zealand-----Transcript:For a full transcript of this episode, visit: https://bit.ly/4pCy84h-----This episode may contain reference to traumatic events. Listener discretion is advised. Visit https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/copyright for copyright information.
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Episode 6 – Outrunning electric vehicle fires
While there’s an increasing number of electric vehicles on our roads, it’s fortunate that not many of them have caught fire in Australia yet. But when electric vehicles ignite, their high-voltage lithium batteries release a toxic gas and take a long time to get under control. It’s important for our first responders to know what to do if they ever catch fire. This episode explores a new tool developed by AFAC and led by Deputy Director for Operations, Emma Conway for first responders to combat electric vehicle fires.*This series was recorded live at the AFAC25 Conference in Perth.-----Find us on: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dfeswaTwitter (X) https://x.com/dfes_waInstagram https://www.instagram.com/dfes_waTikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@dfes_waLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/department-fire-and-emergency-servicesYoutube https://www.youtube.com/dfeswesternaustraliaWebsite https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/-----Credits: Interviewer: Di Darmody Producers: Silvana Pulitano and Pippa WoolnoughGuest: Emma Conway, Deputy Director Operations AFAC & EVEREST Program-----Transcript:For a full transcript of this episode, visit: https://bit.ly/4rjiiwX-----This episode may contain reference to traumatic events. Listener discretion is advised. Visit https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/copyright for copyright information.
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Episode 5 – Flying into the frontline
Drones aren’t a new technology, but emergency services are increasingly taking their eyes in the sky to expand their line of sight and improve incident response. Hear from Russell Turner from Fire and Rescue New South Wales, the agency that manages Australia’s largest Remotely Piloted Aircraft System on the swarms of drones flying directly into the frontline and keeping firefighters safe. *This series was recorded live at the AFAC25 Conference in Perth.-----Find us on: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dfeswaTwitter (X) https://x.com/dfes_waInstagram https://www.instagram.com/dfes_waTikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@dfes_waLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/department-fire-and-emergency-servicesYoutube https://www.youtube.com/dfeswesternaustraliaWebsite https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/-----Credits: Interviewer: Di Darmody Producers: Silvana Pulitano and Pippa WoolnoughGuest: Russell Turner, Fire Rescue New South Wales -----Transcript:For a full transcript of this episode, visit: https://bit.ly/43lHMj4-----This episode may contain reference to traumatic events. Listener discretion is advised. Visit https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/copyright for copyright information.
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Episode 4 – Fire spotters from space
There’s a new game-changing fire-spotter in the sky, named one of TIME Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2025.Fires as small as five square metres can be detected in just minutes, which helps emergency services act faster, smarter and safer. Hear from the scientist and strategist Dr Karen O’Connor from the Earth Fire Alliance who is behind the first-of-its-kind technology changing the way we detect potential emergencies and protect people and property across the globe. *This series was recorded live at the AFAC25 Conference in Perth-----Find us on: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dfeswaTwitter (X) https://x.com/dfes_waInstagram https://www.instagram.com/dfes_waTikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@dfes_waLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/department-fire-and-emergency-servicesYoutube https://www.youtube.com/dfeswesternaustraliaWebsite https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/-----Credits: Interviewer: Di Darmody Producers: Silvana Pulitano and Pippa WoolnoughGuest: Dr Karen O’Connor, Earth Fire Alliance -----Transcript:For a full transcript of this episode, visit: https://bit.ly/3JKGGXn-----This episode may contain reference to traumatic events. Listener discretion is advised. Visit https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/copyright for copyright information.
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Episode 3 – Doing a better job to stay safe
Every emergency is typically defined by preparation, prevention, response and recovery. But in the words of the former Head of United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction, it’s a vicious cycle that needs to be broken. Hear Mami Mizutori’s strategies for anticipating risks, reducing impacts and building communities that are truly resilient.*This series was recorded live at the AFAC25 Conference in Perth.-----Find us on: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dfeswaTwitter (X) https://x.com/dfes_waInstagram https://www.instagram.com/dfes_waTikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@dfes_waLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/department-fire-and-emergency-servicesYoutube https://www.youtube.com/dfeswesternaustraliaWebsite https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/-----Credits: Interviewer: Di Darmody Producers: Silvana Pulitano and Pippa WoolnoughGuest: Mami Mizutori, former Head of United Nations Office for National Disaster Risk Reduction-----Transcript:For a full transcript of this episode, visit: https://bit.ly/3WATrXu-----This episode may contain reference to traumatic events. Listener discretion is advised. Visit https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/copyright for copyright information.
Mics and Sirens is the official podcast for the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) of Western Australia.
With staff and volunteers, both on and behind the frontline, dedicated to protecting our State of more than 2.5 million square kilometres, there are many stories of hope and resilience.
From that very first call for help, to those on the frontline putting themselves in harm’s way, and those who pick up the pieces once the sirens fade.
We take you behind the scenes to meet the people behind the positions and explore the passion, commitment and grit that keeps communities safe.
Australia