How technology is helping with early fire detection in Waitākiri Bottle Lake Forest Park

We are all seeing the effects of extreme weather events on communities, property and businesses. The Port Hills Fires in 2017 are a tragic example of this. Christchurch City Council has looked to technology in a bid to improve safety and respond more effectively – for emergency services, the public and local industries.

In this month’s Spark Spotlight Webinar Michael Healy, Manager at Smart Christchurch, shares early learnings in the Council’s journey in setting up the Early Fire Detection Warning Trial in Waitākiri Bottle Lake Forest Park, and in the importance of including key stakeholders and allies in the journey. Michael will be joined by Cameron McKenna from Attentis, who will give insights into the technical aspects of the solution installed and the type of data being collected.

Join Michael and Cameron for this highly topical, interactive webinar and find out how you can apply Christchurch City Councils learnings to your environment.

This webinar was recorded on Thursday, 29 September 2022

About the speakers

Michael Healy - Manager Smart Christchurch Programme

Christchurch City Council’s Smart Christchurch Programme was established in 2016 to delivers rapid proofs of concept to test innovative approaches and technologies for supporting the Council’s vision and goals for the city and community.

After 10 years in continuous improvement roles as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt in both public and private sectors, Michael pivoted to Smart Cities three years ago. Smart Christchurch has since cemented its place as one of Australasia’s leading Smart Cities programmes, and has been recognised internationally for some of its initiatives.

Michael believes smart solutions innovation and sustainable technology are critical to our future. He is focused on supporting the Christchurch City Council to collaborate with its strategic partners and with communities to implement positive and impactful change.

Cameron McKenna - Managing Director of Attentis

Attentis, a technology company that designs and manufactures intelligent sensors, high-speed data networks and real-time information systems and Apps.

After studying Economics, Accounting and Engineering, Cameron started in corporate finance. He then transitioned to engineering, pioneering water conservation technology during Australia’s enduring drought in the 1990s, before spending two years as a COO. A move to California in 2009 led to the development of improved information systems for emergency services and the public in the wake of the L.A Station Fire and Black Saturday Fires in Australia.

In 2011 Attentis was created to deliver unparalleled situational awareness through advanced sensing and real-time information. In 2018 Attentis constructed the world’s largest integrated region-wide real-time information network (LVIN.org) in a high fire / flood risk region in Australia. Today, Attentis delivers integrated information networks for early detection, environmental monitoring and live situational awareness in Australia, New Zealand and the United States.