Landgate volunteers

Landgate has been on standby to provide vital backup support from the height of the bush fire season in
Western Australia. 

After the devastation of the Red Hill and Roleystone fires in February, which saw homes in the Perth hills burnt and damaged, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) approached various Government agencies for additional support. 

FESA mapping staff, who provide critical location incident information, had been working long hours during the previous weeks emergencies. 

With more severe weather conditions predicted for the following weekend, FESA sought assistance to provide additional backup support for their operational mapping requirements. 

The call for backup met an immediate response, and within hours Landgate coordinated an emergency volunteer team of 35 mapping experts from across Government. 

The capacity was rapidly developed on Landgate's Shared Land Information Portal to boost resources for real time distribution of crucial location information such as road blocks and aerial intelligence.

Landgate Chief Executive, Mike Bradford, said it was a relief the volunteer services were not required the following weekend as weather conditions were not as dire as predicted. However, it was pleasing to see a rapid cross government response from mapping experts willing to contribute their time and expertise to assist the community.

Landgate is Western Australia's primary source of land information and geographic data, providing the accuracy government, business and individuals rely on.