Year in Review 2022_23

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                          18 SEPTEMBER 2023


AI Lab Development: Construction was completed on the Hub’s new AI Lab. The new facility
consists of 6 functional pods with kitchen and foyer. The purpose of the facility is to expand the
capabilities of the Hub to further develop the digital sector. The facility will officially launch in August
2023 with functionality including: video production, podcasting, conference hosting, hybrid
collaboration, and teaching/learning.

Firetech Connect Program: The key 21/22 focus for the Firetech Connect program was the delivery
of a series of bushfire technology trials in Council’s Living Lab facilities:
    •   Bushfire Detection: Technology for early bushfire detection.
    •   Aerial Operations: Tech for bushfire event intelligence.
    •   Autonomous Systems: Uncrewed tech for remote bushfire operations.
    •   Bushfire Prediction: Tech solutions predicting bushfire incidents.

Bushfire Detection Trial
This Detection 1.1 trial aimed to test AI cameras and satellite detection for bushfires in Noosa Shire.
The goal was early, manageable fire detection, avoiding escalation. These systems were tested for
accuracy in fire detection and emergency response alerts.
While effective at fire detection, not all detections warranted emergency responses, overwhelming
managers with false alarms. A true emergency was overlooked due to the notification volume,
resulting in fire escalation.
This highlights the need for threat analysis determining alarm-triggering fire thresholds. Phase
Detection 1.2 will include this, utilising AI vision improvements to predict, based on visuals and
conditions, if detected fire growth warrants an emergency response.

Aerial Operations Trial
This trial explores safe simultaneous use of uncrewed and crewed aircraft during bushfire
emergencies. Working with QFES and industry partners, a Fire Air Traffic Management System
(FATM) has been developed.

FATM Trial 1.1 (Nov, 2022)

FATM 1.1 established safety and regulatory principles, developed a team for future trials, and
successfully conducted several flights of crewed and remotely piloted aircraft in the same airspace.

FATM Trial 1.2 (May, 2023)

Building on FATM1.1, FATM1.2 introduced two technologies, enhancing situational awareness and
allowing more uncrewed aircraft movement.

FATM 1.3 (Aug, 2023)

FATM Trial 1.3 aims for Alternate Means of Compliance (AltMOC), a significant global milestone.
The project, adopted by NASA as a "world standard", leads global FATM trials by 18 months. The
ultimate goal is to set Standard Operating Procedures, approved technologies, training providers,
and nationwide short notice operations.

Autonomous Systems Trial
This trial tested tech solutions to detect, respond, and extinguish bushfires using a realistic campfire-
to-bushfire scenario.
In the scenario, a lost-control campfire was detected by two cameras, its location triangulated, and
escalated to QFES. A Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) with thermal capabilities was deployed to
assess the situation. An Incident Control Centre (ICC) and an on-ground team were set up near the
fireground, using live feeds and data links for situational awareness.