State government-funded bushfire app Firewatch still not in use five years after funding was first provided
The state government has spent $60,000 on development of an app that would provide real-time bushfire alerts, but it is still not in operation after five years.
Emergency Services
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A SMARTPHONE app designed and developed by Tasmanian researchers to provide real-time bushfire alerts to residents — which the state government has spent $60,000 on — is still not in operation five years after it was first funded.
The Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management gave University of Tasmania Professor in Pyrogeography and Fire Science David Bowman and another researcher a $38,000 grant in 2016.
They were tasked with creating an app that was “geographically enabled to deliver real-time and location-specific bushfire information and warnings across Tasmania”.
Prof Bowman and his team were granted another $22,355 of funding in 2019 to prepare the app — called Firewatch — to be released to the public.
He said since that work was done, the ball had been in the Tasmanian government’s court — and the researchers were still none the wiser about whether it would be rolled out for community use.
Prof Bowman said the app was widely tested — including by Tasmania Fire Service staff and volunteer brigades — and was deemed to be effective.
However, the emergence of a new app interstate has cast doubt on whether the work of the researchers will come to fruition.
The Fires Near Me app was developed by ARQ Group in conjunction with the NSW Rural Fire Service, and was widely used during last summer’s bushfire season.
Prof Bowman said the motivation of the researchers had been that they saw the need for an app to be developed to enhance community safety.
“It’s a key part of the social contract for bushfires. It’s a key thing we’ve got to do for the community,’’ he said.
Prof Bowman said his group did not want to compete with the Fires Near Me app and simply wanted the best outcome for Tasmanians.
But he said the fact remained, the state still did not have access to such an app.
App developer and Prof Bowman’s UTAS colleague, Chris Lucani, said extensive testing of the app showed it would be of benefit to the community.
Dr Lucani said he believed the app could be used in concert with Fires Near Me but would require amendments.
“In my interactions with the TFS, there has been vocal support for the Fires Near Me app as well as for our app,’’ he said.
ARQ Group chief executive Tristan Sternson said the group was looking to develop apps for other jurisdictions in Australia and overseas.
“Given our experience and expertise, we would welcome discussions with the Tasmania Fire Service to develop a bespoke app which will undoubtedly help save lives and protect property,’’ he said.
A state government spokeswoman said the TFS was involved in the investigation of a national app, while a redevelopment of the TFS website was a priority project to start this financial year.
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