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Fire Behaviour Analysts (FBAN), also
known as a Bushfire scientist, study bushfire behaviour, planning
and management. They also study bushfire planning and
management, including the impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems, as well as
the impact of climate change and community natural resource management.
A fire behaviour analyst predicts how far the fire might spread or where embers might land, using mathematical modelling.
ANZSCO ID:
234399
Alternative names: Bushfire Scientist, Predictive
Services Fire Behaviour Analyst, FBAN, Fire Mapping Expert, Fire
Ecology Expert,
Knowledge, skills and attributes
To become a Fire Behaviour Analyst, you would need:
-
be able to analyse and solve problems
-
be interested in science and the environment
-
be able to make accurate observations
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have good oral and written communication skills
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have good organisational skills, with supervisory ability
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be able to work as part of a team
-
know the factors affecting fire behaviour including the different types of materials lit eg. grass or Eucalyptus forest
-
know the differences in fire behaviour such as flashover, backdraught
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know how to model a fire both physically and mathematically, and, using modelling software
ANU scientists to use eyes in space to
spot bushfire danger zones
(Source:
Spaceconnect)
Duties and Tasks
As a bushfire scientist, you would:
-
collect field data
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analyse data by building or using computer models and software
-
model fire behaviour and use data to predict fire behaviour in real time
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study the biological, environmental and social factors of bushfire management
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communicate research or project results to other professionals or the public or teach related courses, seminars, or workshops
-
develop knowledge, skills, and understanding of bushfire management
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provide information or recommendations to farmers, forestry and other landowners regarding ways in which they can best manage the land to reduce fire risk.
Working conditions
Most bushfire scientists work full time.
Most bushfire scientists work in research universities, private
industry, or the federal government. They work in offices and
laboratories, and will also work in the field when collecting data,
making observations or analysing areas where fires have occurred.
Tools and technologies
Timely and accurate fire behaviour prediction is vital. It supports effective firefighting and suppression and timely, specific alerts and warnings to the public during a bushfire crisis.
As the national science agency, CSIRO (and
forerunner agencies) has been leading research to understand and
predict the behaviour and spread of bushfires for close to 70 years.
The pioneering work of Alan McArthur, from 1953 to 1978, set in
train many of the experimental science-based models and meters that
are used today by fire agencies to predict the likely progression of
uncontrolled bushfires.
“The amazing tools that we now have at our disposal are a direct
product of the continuous research to improve our understanding of
bushfires,” says leader of the CSIRO Bushfire Behaviour and Risks
team, Dr Andrew Sullivan. “For example, we have the Dry Eucalypt
Forest Fire Model, the Mk 2 CSIRO Grassland Fire Spread Meter, and
the Mk 2 CSIRO Fire Spread Meter for North Australia as well as fire
spread simulators and software packages that integrate these.”
(Source:
CSIRO)
Which prediction method to use
Fire spread predictions can be calculated manually and plotted on
maps by hand, or generated using computer-based fire-spread
simulators.
“People using a computer-based fire spread simulator can generate
predictions quickly, with a minimum of fire behaviour knowledge and
experience,” according to Dr Sullivan.
(Source:
CSIRO)
Spark is a wildfire simulation toolkit for researchers and experts
in bushfire and emergency management
“The software allows more simulations to be readily generated for
more fires and more scenarios,” he says. “But compared to manual
predictions calculated by an expert, computer-based simulations may
be less robust and flexible because the people using them are
generally not aware of embedded assumptions needed to make them
work. Results from a single simulation can be poor. We recommend
multiple simulations to account for variability in weather,
vegetation (fuel) and ignition inputs.”
Science knowledge and expert judgement
“We have found that the most reliable fire spread prediction is
achieved when the best available scientific knowledge and tools are
combined with sound application and judgement of experts in the
field,” say Dr Sullivan.
CSIRO was instrumental in developing a curriculum to teach fire
behaviour and prediction knowledge and contributes regularly to
training all state fire agencies in these skills.
Expert judgement by fire and emergency service practitioners is
incorporated into fire spread predictions through the selection of
appropriate models for specific fuel types and conditions. On-ground
experience provides vital input into fire spread where specific
vegetation types may not be adequately covered by an existing model.
Amicus brings it all together
The Amicus fire behaviour knowledge base and decision support system
provides a way to combine the expertise and knowledge of
well-trained and experienced fire behaviour specialists with the
best fire science.
(Source:
CSIRO)
CSIRO Data61 Amicus fire behaviour support
system
Through a user friendly interface, Amicus, developed by CSIRO and
Data61, enables the best quality information to be incorporated into
manual fire spread predictions. It also allows reliable assessment
of automatically generated predictions.
Amicus is a companion to the publication released by CSIRO and AFAC,
A Guide to Rate of Fire Spread Models for Australian Vegetation,
available from CSIRO.
Amicus brings together the collective science-based knowledge of the
past 70 years research and development, with specialist expertise to
help safeguard land, property, people and habitat. A version of
Amicus is currently used operationally by the WA Department of
Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
Education and training/entrance requirements
To become bushfire scientist you usually have to complete a degree in science, or applied science, with a major in bushfire science. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your senior secondary school certificate or equivalent. English, biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics and agricultural science would be appropriate subjects to study prior to university.
Employment Opportunities
This is a specialised field, and the number of available opportunities will always remain quite small. Heightened public interest in the environment may spur a limited increase in demand in the various levels of government and closely related areas such as publicly funded universities and research facilities. Specialist environmental consulting firms may also provide some job opportunities.
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Did You
Know? Dr Simon Heemstra - Fire Behaviour Analyst - CAMEO UNSW - Bachelor of Applied Science (BA Sc), Ecology UWollongong - PhD - Fire Science/Fire-fighting Positions AFAC - Director National Projects & Innovation 2022 - present AFAC = The Australian and New Zealand National Council for Fire & Emergency Services Bureau of Meteorology - Manager Hazard Preparedness & Response 2020 - 2022 NSW Rural Fire Service 2008 - 2020 - Different positions Bushfires: What it takes to be a fire behaviour expert with the Rural Fire Service ABC News 2 November 2017  Dr Simon Heemstra has always had a fascination with fire. But that interest turned into a career when he first witnessed a rural community in New South Wales being devastated by a bushfire in 1994. "We had quite a lot of homes and properties that were lost in the Jannali and Como area, and I realised what a fantastic service the Rural Fire Service provides," Dr Heemstra said. At the time he was studying a science honours degree in vegetation mapping, and a whole area he had been monitoring was burnt. The event motivated him to join his local volunteer brigade and pursue a doctorate in fire mapping. "I decided fire was a pretty interesting thing, in particular fire ecology," Dr Heemstra said. "Since then it's always been a passion of mine to better understand fire, to better understand the impacts and how we can better manage that and reduce the impacts on communities." After 10 years as volunteer, Dr Heemstra moved behind the scenes and is currently the manager for community planning at the state headquarters of the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS), based in Lidcombe. When bushlands flare up across the state, his job as a fire behaviour analyst is to predict how far the fire might spread or where embers might land, using mathematical modelling. He collaborates with a large team — 10 on-site personnel and a further 80 statewide — as well as the multiple emergency agencies and representatives who work out of the RFS control centre. Working together in a high-stress environment The RFS state operations centre is a collaborative hub where fire and emergency agencies join together to look after all corners of NSW during bushfire and other disaster events.  The RFS control room often monitors up to 100 fires at a time across NSW. During peak bushfire season there are hundreds of people packed into the circular room, their eyes continuously flicking between computer screens and the massive digital display board that looms above. The display, made up of 100 screens, shows everything from maps, social media feeds, fire updates and weather charts, to live footage from crews battling fires across the state. Key decisions about crew deployment, warning alerts and updates are made by the people in the room.  Analysts need to understand how certain fire types, such as grass or forest fires, behave.(AAP: Paul Miller) These include logistical teams that coordinate aviation units, the Bureau of Meteorology, ambulance, National Parks and Wildlife, the NSW Police Force and other emergency response experts. "It's extremely stressful. It's fair to say there's a very, very high tempo of focus, of stress and anxiety," RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said. "The collective focus is one about professionalism and simply wanting to do our very best to make a difference, and ensure as many people are saved and protected as we possibly can." Mapping by hand most reliable Despite the high-tech environment at the control centre, Dr Heemstra said his job still relied on old-fashioned, hand-drawn mapping techniques. While computer software can predict the path and speed of a bushfire within minutes, Dr Heemstra said calculations performed by humans were still more accurate and reliable.  Digital modelling tools to predict fire spreads were only developed two years ago [2015]. And there is also no technology that can replace frontline experience. "We're finding still that the manual analysts out-predict the computers at least nine times out of 10," Dr Heemstra said. "By actually having been on the fire grounds, seeing how the models are working, to understand their limitations, I suppose that's largely why our manual predictions are still beating the computers, because we have that experience or knowledge of fires. "You really develop an appreciation and respect for a fire." Update: August 2022 The updated fire danger rating system will be rolled out - ABC Rural News. 21 August 2022  These old bushfire danger rating signs will be replaced with uniform signs with simpler messages. Australian and New Zealand National Council for Fire and Emergency Services project manager Dr Simon Heemstra said the system's streamlined messages would be easier for people to understand. "What we found was people were getting confused with too many levels and what to do in each of the situations, so we've simplified the messages and the calls to action," Dr Heemstra said. "We've also introduced much more national consistency."  Key points The updated fire danger rating will have four levels instead of six The system will use eight vegetation types instead of two to inform the fire danger rating on any given day Signs across the country will be uniform (Source: ABC News) |
Related Jobs or Working with these Jobs
Materials sourced from
CareerHQ
[Bushfire Scientist;
]
Career
Harvest [
Bushfire Scientist;
]
NSW Rural Fire Service [Area
Fire Behaviour & Planning Officer; ]
CSIRO [Fast
moving fires and the science of prediction; ]
State Control Centre [Fire
Behaviour Analyst; ]
