IFE Australia Roadshow
BRISBANE:
Date: Monday, 24 August 2026
Time: 9am – 2pm
SYDNEY:
Date: Wednesday, 26 August 2026
Time: 9am – 2pm
Welcome
Following AFAC 2026, the Institution of Fire Engineers Australia will continue the conversation through our post-conference roadshow events with our renowned speaker lineup.
These events will provide an opportunity for members and the broader fire community to continue discussions, hear key insights, engage with industry leaders, and connect with local professionals.
The roadshows are designed to bring knowledge and collaboration directly to the wider fire engineering and fire brigade cohort in Brisbane and Sydney.
Our Speakers
The Institution of Fire Engineers Australia, Earth Fire Alliance and Firefly are bringing a contingent of international and local speakers to present at a number of seminars at major capital cities across Australia, in August 2026.
Dr Lori Moore Merrel
Former US Fire Administrator
Topic: World Issues affecting the fire Service, including the World Fire Congress
Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell was appointed by President Joseph Biden as the U.S. fire administrator on Oct. 25, 2021. Prior to her appointment, Lori served nearly 3 years as the president and chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the International Public Safety Data Institute, which she founded after retiring from a 26-year tenure as a senior executive in the International Association of Fire Fighters
Dan Munsey
Fire Chief, San Bernardino County
Topic: Lessons learnt from LA fires and risks of urban conflagrations
Chief Munsey is a Centre for Public Excellence, Chief Fire Officer, is a National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer, possesses a master’s degree in public administration from Grand Canyon University, is a graduate of the California Special Districts Leadership Academy, and holds a California State Fire Training Chief Officer Certificate.
Dr Ricky Carvel
Senior Lecturer in Fire Dynamics in the School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh
Topic: Road and Rail Tunnels, Challenges and Solutions
Dr Carvel has been working in the field of fire science and engineering for over 25 years. In 2018, he was awarded the ISTSS Achievement Award for his work in tunnel fire safety. His research work is focused on the interaction between fires, ventilation, and water sprays in both tunnels and buildings. In 2004, he was awarded a PhD from Heriot-Watt University for his thesis “Fire Size in Tunnels”.
Dr Karen O’Connor
Founding Principal Scientist and System Strategist, Earth Fire Alliance
Topic: FireSat in action: How Australian fire experts are contributing to the future of global fire monitoring
Dr Karen has spent over 20 years translating science and data into operations for system-level change. She is a Founding Principal of the Earth Fire Alliance, a non-profit organisation advancing a global shift in disaster management through FireSat, a wildfire monitoring satellite that was named one of TIME Magazine’s Inventions of the Year in 2025.
Nick Hartree
Skyward Wildfire Technologies
Topic: Wildfire Lightning Technology
Nicholas Harterre leads global government and strategic partnerships at Skyward Wildfire Technologies, a Canadian company focused on preventing lightning-ignited wildfires. Skyward develops and deploys advanced technology to forecast lightning-ignited wildfire risk and reduce the likelihood of lightning strikes igniting catastrophic fires, helping protect communities, ecosystems, and critical infrastructure.
Dr Stephan Scimonello
Registered Building Practioner VIC
Topic: Apartment Building Compliance
Stephen has a background in education, building surveying, and planning. He is a registered building practitioner in the category of building surveyor – unlimited with the Victorian Building Authority for over 22 years and is a Certified Practicing Planner
Raymond Yu
BEng(Hons) MA, MBA,Phd, GIFireE, Director of Project Management - China RCR Education Co.
Topic: Residential Tower Fires – HK
Challenges of fighting residential tower fires due to large volume of people, vertical fire spread, smoke management, and firefighter access.
