FOSS4G SoTM 2020 Oceania Conference - Lesley Arnold
Channel: FOSS4G SotM Oceania
Date: 21/11/2020

Title: FireWater: A Collaboration between Open Source, government, academia, business, non-for-profit and geospatial communities

Abstract: In the summer of 2019/20, destructive bushfires ripped through New South Wales, eastern and north-eastern Victoria, and Kangaroo Island in South Australia – burning over 1.8 million hectares of land and causing loss of life and wildlife. During bushfires, firefighters often have difficulty sourcing water. In some regional locations, mains water may not be accessible and firefighters must rely on the static water infrastructure - swimming pools, tanks and dams - as a vital source of water. The big question is “where is the water”.

This presentation will show how OpenStreetMap, a SSSI mapathon, an innovative Firewater App, high-resolution imagery, globally volunteered geospatial information, artificial intelligence, and a proactive government can find ‘FireWater’.

Biography: Dr Lesley Arnold is an independent consultant working with governments to develop strategies, policies and implementation plans for geospatial information reform, open data initiatives and geospatial innovation globally.

Lesley currently works with the United Nations and World Bank supporting countries to strengthen their geospatial information management capabilities towards implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and is one of the lead authors of the UN-GGIM Integrated Geospatial Information Framework. Lesley has held several executive positions on intergovernmental committees, and led Western Australia’s fundamental geospatial information program for many years. She is currently a Board Director for AuScope and SSSI.