Recently, Australia sent several emergency management experts from Australia to California to exchange lessons following the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. 

The 9-day visit focused on: 

• sharing wildfire management and recovery knowledge
• understanding best practices to protect our urban communities
• building stronger relationships for the future
• supporting global efforts to manage severe disasters 

This visit was a show of solidarity to everyone - Australians and Americans - impacted by the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. It renews our ongoing readiness to support each other during disasters. 

For some communities in Australia and California, wildfires are a constant threat. Visits like this help us learn more about fires and how they threaten our urban communities. They also build relationships that can benefit everyone during future disasters.  

Best practice emergency preparedness  

Attendees discussed wildfire management knowledge, sharing best practices in prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. These included:   

• Building codes, preparedness and readiness  
• Response to wildfires and urban conflagration 
• Mass evacuation of urban communities
• Aerial firefighting strategies and limitations  
• Contamination from Lithium-ion batteries
• Environmental recovery and clean-up 

“This is an important opportunity to prepare ahead of the next Higher Risk Weather Season. I’d like to thank our Californian partners for sharing their experiences, so we can better inform our fire management and prevention strategies back home.” our Deputy Coordinator-General, Emergency Management and Response, Joe Buffone said.

Being on the front foot for the Higher Risk Weather Season  

The meeting was a chance to prepare for the next Higher Risk Weather Season, which is so important for homes near bushland or wildland areas. 

Australia has taken some key takeaways from this trip. For example: 

• Identifying future risks in fire management
• The importance of concurrent action and activity in response and recovery
• The future role of technology in emergency management
• The vital importance of collaboration and communication
• The need to continue to improve policies and practices 

Visits like this help build what we know about fire. Working together will benefit us all as we face future disasters.