ABOUT THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE

What is the Emergency Management Conference?

Bringing together emergency management professionals and subject matter experts over two days, EMC offers insight, reflection, understanding and motivation across a wide range of topics and emergency management incidents.

Over the past 25 years, EMC has established a reputation for consistently attracting high-quality local and international speakers.

The conference is also the premier annual networking opportunity in Victoria for EM staff and volunteers.

Topics examined at EMC include mental health, diversity, preparedness, community engagement, response, recovery and factors contributing to emergencies, such as climate change.

The conference unfolds over two engaging and interactive days including:

    • Keynote speakers
    • Insightful presentations and topical panel discussions
    • Half day of interactive workshops (optional- select up to two)
    • Exhibition
    • Welcome cocktails
    • Conference dinner

The EMC workshops have become a highly anticipated component of the conference.  Delegates have the opportunity to join the discussions on issues that affect them and the EM sector.  Each workshop produces a list of resolutions/outcomes/recommendations that are reported as part of the ESF Chair’s closing address.

These outputs are also presented by the Conferfence Organising Committee to the Victorian EM agency leadership for consideration and/or adoption. Workshops will again feature on the conference program in 2026.

400 delegates attended the Emergency Management Conference in 2025, confirming it as the largest EM-focused conference in Victoria.

The conference is once again, set to be the emergency management event of the year in 2026!

History of the Emergency Management Conference

In the late 1990s, ESF identified the need for a local conference to help build understanding and capability across the Victorian EM sector in relation to emergency management issues and trends. The Emergency Management Conference was initially established to meet that need and aligns with ESFs four strategic pillars by:

    • Connecting, harnessing and growing the collective wisdom and strength of the sector
    • Identifying opportunities to learn, focusing on the needs of a mentally healthy sector now and into the future
    • Arming people with evidence and knowledge to drive good practice
    • Seeking out relationships to support the sector to improve

A small profit derived from the EMC helps fund ESF’s program of work. 

The Emergency Services Foundation (ESF) has hosted the Emergency Management Conference (EMC) annually since 2000. 

DELEGATES’ HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM EMC 2025

"Confirmation that emergency events are increasing and recovery is becoming more complex. Also got some great ideas / inspiration to bring back to my organisation"
"So many amazing speakers and stories"
"Having moved to a new role recently it was great to reconnect with people I had previously worked with and create new connections in my new sector of local government"
"Overall, I believe the theme brought a good perspective to many of the keynote speakers, looking back, reflecting and looking forward and being brave to consider that things won't look the same in 5,10 or 25 years"
"Catching up with everyone and being inspired from all the amazing work underway"
"Hearing from a wide range of experts"
"Workshop 3 - Reflections and realities. This session showcased some of the incredible research being done in the sector and generated interesting discussion about future opportunities"
"The perspectives of Aboriginal communities highlighted the role they must play in our emergency management arrangements"
"A few outstanding presentations which I felt were very relevant to my role"
"That things are changing and that empowering people works"
"A lot about AI, job sharing, the importance of working together and some of the Life Saving new equipment. Also the Upwey school presentation was amazing"
"Working with community to build resilience for the first 72 hours."
"That things are changing and that empowering people works"
"The amount of Volunteers in the sector and the need to engage with youth and AI"
"Diversity makes for better emergency management outcomes. Whether it be diversity in the workplace or diversity in thought from inter-agency/community collaboration. Different perspectives increases our efficiency and safety"

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