Garth Lidbetter
UX & Systems Designer
Location
Sawtell
NSW, Australia
Connect
© 2002-2025 Garth Lidbetter
Garth Lidbetter
UX & Systems Designer
Location
Sawtell
NSW, Australia
Connect
© 2002-2025 Garth Lidbetter
NSW Rural Fire Service
Athena – bushfire intelligence
2022–25
BA, Systems, UX, Product design
The 2019-20 Australian bushfires, often referred to as "Black Summer", had devastating impacts:
burning an estimated 18.6 million hectares
destroying over 5,900 buildings (including 2,779 homes)
killing at least 34 people.
In response, a Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements was established by the Australian Government. Despite being strongly resourced with government funds and a strong volunteering workforce, the use of technology and communication methods at NSW Rural Fire Service was underwhelming and concerning.
I was on the team (from tech consultancy Kablamo) building Athena – a bushfire intelligence solution to address some of the Royal Commissions recommendations.
The 2019-20 Australian bushfires, often referred to as "Black Summer", had devastating impacts:
burning an estimated 18.6 million hectares
destroying over 5,900 buildings (including 2,779 homes)
killing at least 34 people.
In response, a Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements was established by the Australian Government. Despite being strongly resourced with government funds and a strong volunteering workforce, the use of technology and communication methods at NSW Rural Fire Service was underwhelming and concerning.
I was on the team (from tech consultancy Kablamo) building Athena – a bushfire intelligence solution to address some of the Royal Commissions recommendations.
The 2019-20 Australian bushfires, often referred to as "Black Summer", had devastating impacts:
burning an estimated 18.6 million hectares
destroying over 5,900 buildings (including 2,779 homes)
killing at least 34 people.
In response, a Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements was established by the Australian Government. Despite being strongly resourced with government funds and a strong volunteering workforce, the use of technology and communication methods at NSW Rural Fire Service was underwhelming and concerning.
I was on the team (from tech consultancy Kablamo) building Athena – a bushfire intelligence solution to address some of the Royal Commissions recommendations.
Role & team
Role: User Experience designer
Team: UI designer, Content writer, Product manager, Project lead, Program account manager, BE team (4), FE team (3), DevOps (2)
Client: Product owner, Program sponsor, Stakeholders, SME's at multiple levels of the organisation
Role: User Experience designer
Team: UI designer, Content writer, Product manager, Project lead, Program account manager, BE team (4), FE team (3), DevOps (2)
Client: Product owner, Program sponsor, Stakeholders, SME's at multiple levels of the organisation
Role: User Experience designer
Team: UI designer, Content writer, Product manager, Project lead, Program account manager, BE team (4), FE team (3), DevOps (2)
Client: Product owner, Program sponsor, Stakeholders, SME's at multiple levels of the organisation
Tasks
Stakeholder & user interviews
User working group facilitation
User journey mapping
Design & engineering alignment
User testing of design prototypes
User testing of live application
Stakeholder & user interviews
User working group facilitation
User journey mapping
Design & engineering alignment
User testing of design prototypes
User testing of live application
Stakeholder & user interviews
User working group facilitation
User journey mapping
Design & engineering alignment
User testing of design prototypes
User testing of live application
Deliverables
Information Architecture
Prototypes of features
Fortnightly showcase presentations
Web-based application to be used in head office, regional centres and in the field
Information Architecture
Prototypes of features
Fortnightly showcase presentations
Web-based application to be used in head office, regional centres and in the field
Information Architecture
Prototypes of features
Fortnightly showcase presentations
Web-based application to be used in head office, regional centres and in the field
138
direct consultation hours
8
Royal Commission recommendations addressed
12
features shipped
70,000+
users onboarded & empowered with real-time insights
Background & Brief
As the primary responsible agency, the NSW Rural Fire Service had a number of these recommendations to action from the Royal Commission. Broad areas to address included: central point of data, incident intelligence, fire predictions, democratisation and rapid sharing of intelligence – geographically and up and down the chain of command.
We had the opportunity to build the application from the ground up.
I was responsible for understanding, designing and guiding the experience for over 70,000+ users. These users span from the Commissioner at the top, to Incident Management Teams (operating regionally) and on-the-ground brigade workers directly fighting fires.
As the primary responsible agency, the NSW Rural Fire Service had a number of these recommendations to action from the Royal Commission. Broad areas to address included: central point of data, incident intelligence, fire predictions, democratisation and rapid sharing of intelligence – geographically and up and down the chain of command.
We had the opportunity to build the application from the ground up.
I was responsible for understanding, designing and guiding the experience for over 70,000+ users. These users span from the Commissioner at the top, to Incident Management Teams (operating regionally) and on-the-ground brigade workers directly fighting fires.
As the primary responsible agency, the NSW Rural Fire Service had a number of these recommendations to action from the Royal Commission. Broad areas to address included: central point of data, incident intelligence, fire predictions, democratisation and rapid sharing of intelligence – geographically and up and down the chain of command.
We had the opportunity to build the application from the ground up.
I was responsible for understanding, designing and guiding the experience for over 70,000+ users. These users span from the Commissioner at the top, to Incident Management Teams (operating regionally) and on-the-ground brigade workers directly fighting fires.
Challenges
Climate change
The RFS faces growing pressure from longer fire seasons, unpredictable weather, and rising fuel loads. The RFS must adapt to an environment where the past is no longer a reliable guide. longer fire seasons, unpredictable weather, and rising fuel loads.
Current gaps are risk multipliers
Incumbent tools used for forecasting, coordination, and situational awareness were outdated, fragmented, and too slow for the pace of modern emergencies. This puts lives, property, and frontline responders at unnecessary risk. In a fire emergency, minutes matter.
Gathering support at all levels of the organisation
The RFS is structured in a hierarchical structure similar to the military. From the commissioner at the top, down through State Controllers, Area Commanders, District Managers and field operators to the 70,000+ strong volunteer force. The success of the project required support and engagement from all levels.
Climate change
The RFS faces growing pressure from longer fire seasons, unpredictable weather, and rising fuel loads. The RFS must adapt to an environment where the past is no longer a reliable guide. longer fire seasons, unpredictable weather, and rising fuel loads.
Current gaps are risk multipliers
Incumbent tools used for forecasting, coordination, and situational awareness were outdated, fragmented, and too slow for the pace of modern emergencies. This puts lives, property, and frontline responders at unnecessary risk. In a fire emergency, minutes matter.
Gathering support at all levels of the organisation
The RFS is structured in a hierarchical structure similar to the military. From the commissioner at the top, down through State Controllers, Area Commanders, District Managers and field operators to the 70,000+ strong volunteer force. The success of the project required support and engagement from all levels.
Climate change
The RFS faces growing pressure from longer fire seasons, unpredictable weather, and rising fuel loads. The RFS must adapt to an environment where the past is no longer a reliable guide. longer fire seasons, unpredictable weather, and rising fuel loads.
Current gaps are risk multipliers
Incumbent tools used for forecasting, coordination, and situational awareness were outdated, fragmented, and too slow for the pace of modern emergencies. This puts lives, property, and frontline responders at unnecessary risk. In a fire emergency, minutes matter.
Gathering support at all levels of the organisation
The RFS is structured in a hierarchical structure similar to the military. From the commissioner at the top, down through State Controllers, Area Commanders, District Managers and field operators to the 70,000+ strong volunteer force. The success of the project required support and engagement from all levels.
Solution
The design, development and rollout of the Athena platform was staged over a 2 year period. Initially focused on a group of around 100 operators at state headquarters; Then, as further features were built out, more users users were onboarded. The current user base is over 70,000+ users.
Phases of feature releases included:
Phase 1: Core central intelligence
State views, incident views, real-time 12hr fire predictions, 80+ geospatial data layers, 2.5D geospatial views,
Phase 2: Social media feeds as intelligence
Live feeds of relevant social media posts. These can be curated to enrich situation awareness of each incident.
Phase 3: Resource coverage & availability
All resources (road vehicles, aircraft and heavy plant) are tracked and visualised geospatially. Then suggestions are made for deployment.
Phase 4: Aviation safety feature
Risk ratings are applied to each aircraft type depending on the conditions at the incident. Then on briefing, condition reports are supplied to pilots so they can assess risks.
Phase 5: Operational areas
Ability to apply unique rules to operational areas. This may be applied to Section 44's, public events, biohazard events, TOBANs or hazard reduction.
The design, development and rollout of the Athena platform was staged over a 2 year period. Initially focused on a group of around 100 operators at state headquarters; Then, as further features were built out, more users users were onboarded. The current user base is over 70,000+ users.
Phases of feature releases included:
Phase 1: Core central intelligence
State views, incident views, real-time 12hr fire predictions, 80+ geospatial data layers, 2.5D geospatial views,
Phase 2: Social media feeds as intelligence
Live feeds of relevant social media posts. These can be curated to enrich situation awareness of each incident.
Phase 3: Resource coverage & availability
All resources (road vehicles, aircraft and heavy plant) are tracked and visualised geospatially. Then suggestions are made for deployment.
Phase 4: Aviation safety feature
Risk ratings are applied to each aircraft type depending on the conditions at the incident. Then on briefing, condition reports are supplied to pilots so they can assess risks.
Phase 5: Operational areas
Ability to apply unique rules to operational areas. This may be applied to Section 44's, public events, biohazard events, TOBANs or hazard reduction.
The design, development and rollout of the Athena platform was staged over a 2 year period. Initially focused on a group of around 100 operators at state headquarters; Then, as further features were built out, more users users were onboarded. The current user base is over 70,000+ users.
Phases of feature releases included:
Phase 1: Core central intelligence
State views, incident views, real-time 12hr fire predictions, 80+ geospatial data layers, 2.5D geospatial views,
Phase 2: Social media feeds as intelligence
Live feeds of relevant social media posts. These can be curated to enrich situation awareness of each incident.
Phase 3: Resource coverage & availability
All resources (road vehicles, aircraft and heavy plant) are tracked and visualised geospatially. Then suggestions are made for deployment.
Phase 4: Aviation safety feature
Risk ratings are applied to each aircraft type depending on the conditions at the incident. Then on briefing, condition reports are supplied to pilots so they can assess risks.
Phase 5: Operational areas
Ability to apply unique rules to operational areas. This may be applied to Section 44's, public events, biohazard events, TOBANs or hazard reduction.
138
direct consultation hours
8
Royal Commission recommendations addressed
12
features shipped
70,000+
users onboarded & empowered with real-time insights
Conclusions
Athena is now the central intelligence system used by the NSW Rural Fire Service. Displayed at the State Ops Centre as the largest, central screen on the Knowledge Wall and on the war-room-style central Tactical Information Table; as well as personal desktop and mobile devices.
Athena delivers these benefits to RFS:
Situational awareness is faster, more accurate, and available to everyone.
Manual data sharing is almost eliminated.
Every level of command now has the intelligence to act decisively.
Fire predictions are sharper, tied to automated alerts and recommendations.
Resource allocation is consistently data-driven.
Five legacy systems are now synchronised into one unified operational view
Athena is now the central intelligence system used by the NSW Rural Fire Service. Displayed at the State Ops Centre as the largest, central screen on the Knowledge Wall and on the war-room-style central Tactical Information Table; as well as personal desktop and mobile devices.
Athena delivers these benefits to RFS:
Situational awareness is faster, more accurate, and available to everyone.
Manual data sharing is almost eliminated.
Every level of command now has the intelligence to act decisively.
Fire predictions are sharper, tied to automated alerts and recommendations.
Resource allocation is consistently data-driven.
Five legacy systems are now synchronised into one unified operational view
Athena is now the central intelligence system used by the NSW Rural Fire Service. Displayed at the State Ops Centre as the largest, central screen on the Knowledge Wall and on the war-room-style central Tactical Information Table; as well as personal desktop and mobile devices.
Athena delivers these benefits to RFS:
Situational awareness is faster, more accurate, and available to everyone.
Manual data sharing is almost eliminated.
Every level of command now has the intelligence to act decisively.
Fire predictions are sharper, tied to automated alerts and recommendations.
Resource allocation is consistently data-driven.
Five legacy systems are now synchronised into one unified operational view
Feedback
Ben Millington
Deputy Commissioner, Operational Co-ordination
"There's nothing like this, certainly not in Australia."
"There's nothing like this, certainly not in Australia."
"There's nothing like this, certainly not in Australia."
Andrew McDowell
Lead Front End developer
"Sitting in on a customer interview with Garth is an epic experience. Garth is a pro at building rapport and steering the conversation naturally to draw out really valuable information."
"Sitting in on a customer interview with Garth is an epic experience. Garth is a pro at building rapport and steering the conversation naturally to draw out really valuable information."
"Sitting in on a customer interview with Garth is an epic experience. Garth is a pro at building rapport and steering the conversation naturally to draw out really valuable information."
Abby Phillips
Product Manager
"What a weapon! Massive thanks for your incredible work on this massive social media feature. I think we were all struggling to understand how understand it and make it valuable. But you've methodically gone through many iterations and feedback, to turn it into something desirable for not only RFS but half of AFAC (National Council for fire and emergency services in Australia and NZ)!!"
"What a weapon! Massive thanks for your incredible work on this massive social media feature. I think we were all struggling to understand how understand it and make it valuable. But you've methodically gone through many iterations and feedback, to turn it into something desirable for not only RFS but half of AFAC (National Council for fire and emergency services in Australia and NZ)!!"
"What a weapon! Massive thanks for your incredible work on this massive social media feature. I think we were all struggling to understand how understand it and make it valuable. But you've methodically gone through many iterations and feedback, to turn it into something desirable for not only RFS but half of AFAC (National Council for fire and emergency services in Australia and NZ)!!"