Innovation in fire analysis methodologies and operational decision support - A co-creation process
Tracks
D. Luís Room
| Tuesday, May 16, 2023 |
| 6:15 PM - 7:00 PM |
| Workshop |
Details
Portugal is a fire-prone country characterized by simultaneous events during the fire season, with several cases of large and severe rural fires.
This workshop will focus on fire analysis methodologies to support the operational decision in the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC), implemented after 2018. Three different components will be presented: 1) the national-level operational decision process, 2) fire analysis methodologies, and 3) scientific co-creation processes to support the decision-making.
The aim will be to demonstrate how the operational decision is supported by the analysis of potential fire behavior performed before, during, and after an incident. Analysis integrates scientific processes and tools, which enable the creation of strategic and tactical products and proposals.
The integration of science in this cycle is based on a constant collaboration and participation between various actors, involved in all analysis and decision-making processes, regardless of where they perform their functions. The concept of decision-making based on co-creation is guaranteed through the relationship between the scientific process and the empirical method coexisting in constant interaction and dependence. This method allows a better understanding of fire behavior by researchers and operators, ensuring the development of improved products and tools.
Speaker
Akli Benali
University of Lisbon
Speaker
Biography
Akli Benali is a researcher at the Forest Research Center of the University of Lisbon, (Portugal). His work aims to provide relevant knowledge and scientific-based tools to support better decision-making regarding wildfires to bridge research and practice more effectively. He has developed work combining fire spread modeling and satellite data to improve fire suppression strategies, in close collaboration with the relevant authorities. He was also involved in a multi-stakeholder project to develop proposals to reduce the vulnerability of a burned landscape to large wildfires.
Alexandre Penha
ANEPC
Speaker
Biography
Alexandre Penha started his career in the Lisbon Fire Department in 1997, and since 2017, is a National Operations Assistant at the National Command of Emergency and Civil Protection in the Portuguese Civil Protection Authority. Graduated with a degree in Civil Protection and Security Management, he has frequented several courses of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism within relief operations management. In his current occupation, he handles the coordination of the Operations Decision Support Cell and decision support systems.
Fábio Silva
ANEPC-FEPC
Speaker
Biography
Fábio SILVA has a degree in Sociology from the New University of Lisbon and a Graduate Certificate in Forest Fires, from the Higher Institute of Languages and Administration (ISLA) of Santarém. Works for the National Authority of Civil Protection, the Civil Protection Special Force (FEPC) and is the coordinator of the National Decision Support Center for forest fires in Portugal. He is certified as a technician in prescribed burn and suppression fire, a trainer of Forest Fire at the Portuguese National Firefighter’s School, and a specialist technician of the EU, with a mission in Chile's fires in 2017 and 2023.
