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.

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Credits: 

Interviewer: Di Darmody 

Producers: Silvana Pulitano and Pippa Woolnough

Guest: Emma Conway, Deputy Director Operations AFAC & EVEREST Program

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Transcript:
For a full transcript of this episode, visit: https://bit.ly/4rjiiwX

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This episode may contain reference to traumatic events. Listener discretion is advised. 

Visit https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/copyright for copyright information. 

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.

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Credits: 

Interviewer: Di Darmody 

Producers: Silvana Pulitano and Pippa Woolnough

Guest: Russell Turner, Fire Rescue New South Wales 

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Transcript:
For a full transcript of this episode, visit: https://bit.ly/43lHMj4

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This episode may contain reference to traumatic events. Listener discretion is advised. 

Visit https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/copyright for copyright information. 

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

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Credits: 

Interviewer: Di Darmody 

Producers: Silvana Pulitano and Pippa Woolnough

Guest: Dr Karen O’Connor, Earth Fire Alliance 

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Transcript:
For a full transcript of this episode, visit: https://bit.ly/3JKGGXn

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This episode may contain reference to traumatic events. Listener discretion is advised. 

Visit https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/copyright for copyright information. 

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.

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Credits: 

Interviewer: Di Darmody 

Producers: Silvana Pulitano and Pippa Woolnough

Guest: Mami Mizutori, former Head of United Nations Office for National Disaster Risk Reduction

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Transcript:
For a full transcript of this episode, visit: https://bit.ly/3WATrXu

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This episode may contain reference to traumatic events. Listener discretion is advised. 

Visit https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/copyright for copyright information. 

Images from the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire tragedy are unwillingly etched in the minds of people all over the world. Flames took hold and got to the top of the 23-storey housing block in 30 minutes. 

This episode Mark Hardingham CBE QFSM takes us inside the lessons of the UK’s deadliest residential building fire that claimed the lives of 72 people. 

*This series was recorded live at the AFAC25 Conference in Perth.

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Credits: 

Interviewer: Di Darmody 

Producers: Silvana Pulitano and Pippa Woolnough

Guest: Mark Hardingham, former UK Chair of National Fire Chiefs Council

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Transcript:
For a full transcript of this episode, visit: https://bit.ly/479sU9N

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This episode may contain reference to traumatic events. Listener discretion is advised. 

Visit https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/copyright for copyright information. 

Wildfires are typically fuelled by wind, heat and overgrown vegetation. But what happens when people’s homes are what propel flames into an unstoppable firestorm. 

The former head of the US Fire Administration Dr Lori Moore-Merrell sits down with us to talk about a firestorm that flattened multiple neighbourhoods in Los Angeles and the insights that came from the tragedy. 

*This series was recorded live at the AFAC25 Conference in Perth.

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Credits: 

Interviewer: Di Darmody 

Producers: Silvana Pulitano and Pippa Woolnough

Guest: Dr Lori Moore-Merrell, former US Fire Administrator

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Transcript:
For a full transcript of this episode, visit: https://bit.ly/4oyWlYP

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This episode may contain reference to traumatic events. Listener discretion is advised. 

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Visit https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/copyright for copyright information. 

Mics and Sirens is the official podcast of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) in Western Australia. 

Season 2 of Mics and Sirens was recorded live at the 2025 Australasian Fire and Emergency Services Authority Council Conference in Perth, WA. We sat down with international and national experts to unpack disasters that shook the world and gain insights into emergency management innovations. 

They share their experience, bringing fresh thinking to the table that helps to shape the future of emergency management. From preparing for disasters, reflecting on catastrophic events, to the eyes in the sky helping protect those on the frontline, through to the power of people fighting the (fire) fight every day – these global voices remind us that progress is built on knowledge and collaboration and can be used to make an impact anywhere in the world. 

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Credits: 

Interviewer: Di Darmody

Producers: Silvana Pulitano and Pippa Woolnough 

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Transcript: For a full transcript of this episode, visit: ⁠https://bit.ly/43qgGqV⁠
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Visit https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/copyright for copyright information. 

Overseeing fire and emergency services across Australia’s largest State is no small feat. It’s not a 9 to 5, Monday to Friday job because emergencies don’t keep business hours.  

When critical decisions need to be made, the Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner is always on call.  

It’s a role Darren Klemm AFSM has held since 2017 and in that time, he has led DFES through major change and growth.  

In his own words, team is the heart of DFES. And Darren has been a team player for decades.  

On the frontline as a firefighter and before that on the field as a premiership star in the WA Football League.

Hear about the surprising role the Commissioner could see himself in if he weren’t in the top job and the biggest changes he’s witnessed in his career. 
 

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Credits: 

Host and producer: Silvana Pulitano

Guest: Darren Klemm 

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Transcript:
For a full transcript of this episode, visit: https://bit.ly/42c6Kko

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This episode may contain reference to traumatic events. Listener discretion is advised. 

Visit https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/copyright for copyright information. 

Imagine the year 2075.  

Firefighting robots navigate burning buildings, guided by intelligence from AI-powered drones in the sky …or a fire truck extends its retractable legs, stepping over a traffic jam to reach an house fire in record time.  

These technologies could be 10, 20 or 50 years away...or they may never leave the realm of science fiction. Either way, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services is looking into the future.

Assistant Commissioner of Future Capability Jon Broomhall leads a new division within DFES, dedicated to exploring emerging trends and technologies that could redefine emergency response. 

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Credits: 

Host and producer: Silvana Pulitano

Guest: Jon Broomhall 

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Transcript:
For a full transcript of this episode, visit: https://bit.ly/422s77A

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This episode may contain reference to traumatic events. Listener discretion is advised. 

Visit https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/copyright for copyright information. 

Bushfires, cyclones and floods can change people’s lives forever.  

But when the flames are out, the sirens fade, and the roads reopen, the impact is far from over. In fact, that’s when the huge task of recovery begins.  

Deputy Commissioner Mel Pexton, who happens to be the highest-ranking female at Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES), leads the teams who helps communities rebuild after a disaster, which is a process so complex that can sometimes take years. 

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Credits: 

Host and producer: Silvana Pulitano

Guest: Mel Pexton

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Transcript:
For a full transcript of this episode, visit: https://bit.ly/3Va8ff0

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This episode may contain reference to traumatic events. Listener discretion is advised. 

Visit https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/copyright for copyright information.