Industrial fires can have a significant impacts on the environment. This impact can be a result of the toxicants in runoff and atmospheric emissions from these fires. Firefighters’ decision making processes must consider the preservation of life, the safety of their own crews, the preservation of the infrastructure, economy, and the environment, The presenters consider that at times, not enough consideration is given to environmental protection. They will present their views on fires where good decisions have been made, and others where better decisions could have been made. They will also provide their opinions on where better outcomes can be achieved.

Meet the Speakers: John Gorrie and Shan Raffel

John Gorrie has a PhD in Environmental Toxicology. John assisted fire services nationally while in his role as the hazardous waste regulator employed with the Tasmanian EPA. He subsequently developed and delivered a program to career and volunteer firefighters to provide the tools for making sound defensible rapid assessments of potential environmental impact from different fireground decisions.

Shan Raffel has been a career firefighter for over thirty-eight years, with extensive experience in fighting large industrial fires. Shan has been privileged to have extensive international experience training firefighters in a variety of firefighting disciplines. He is a passionate supporter of ongoing professional development for firefighters with a focus on safety, efficiency, and environmental protection.

This webinar will run on Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).