The AFDRS is the most significant transformation of fire danger ratings in a generation, providing a nationally consistent system that uses the latest science to assess fire risk based on weather, fuel conditions and vegetation types. It replaced a decades-old framework with a dynamic, data-driven approach that improves the accuracy and reliability of fire danger forecasts across Australia.
Nova Systems was commissioned by the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC) to collaborate with NSW RFS and the Bureau of Meteorology in building the AFDRS and now subsequent technological add-ons, including an app for mobile use.
This new Fuel State Editor app, built exclusively for emergency services personnel to capture, validate and approve critical fuel data across jurisdictions.
The significance of this innovation is the ability to respond to rapidly changing fuel loads, which can shift dramatically in just days due to rain, heat or vegetation growth.
“Accurate, up-to-date data is essential for producing reliable fire danger ratings, especially given how localised conditions can vary significantly over short distances,” Ian Reid, Senior Software Engineer at Nova Systems explained.
“With better forecasting comes smarter preparation, allowing emergency services to allocate resources more effectively and issue early warnings that help protect communities. Ultimately, more accurate ratings mean more timely action and safer outcomes.”
The mobile app was developed to meet the needs of emergency responders working in the field. It functions offline, ensuring access even in areas without mobile coverage.
“This is a game-changer for fire preparedness,” said Ian Reid.
“By putting real-time data collection and decision-making tools directly into the hands of emergency services, we’re helping build safer, more resilient communities.”
The AFDRS mobile app is now available to emergency service agencies nationwide, marking a major step forward in Australia’s ability to respond to and manage bushfire risk.
Find out more at the AFDRS website - https://afdrs.com.au/