AFAC engaged Nova Systems to design and develop web portals for the Australian Fire Danger Rating System (AFDRS) to integrate specialist expertise and data from Bureau of Meteorology and State fire agencies with the latest fire behaviour science in a single, truly national unified system.
Solution
A combination of best practice approaches in design and software development ensured the successful delivery of the AFDRS. A Human Centred Design approach allows an intuitive user experience. Open-source geospatial technologies provided a comprehensive, high performing spatial data capability. A cloud first solution architecture provided high availability, security, reliability and cost effectiveness, and an agile development approach enabled by modern infrastructure automation tools delivered the highest value solution within project budget and delivery deadlines.
Outcome
The project has delivered nationally consistent data for calculating fire danger ratings for the first time. The platform includes eight standard fire behaviour models based on the most recent fire behaviour research, with a modular design that is extensible to new fire behaviour research as it becomes available.
The AFDRS platform won the 2022 SSSI NSW Australian Spatial Excellence Award for Technical Excellence.