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Date: Wednesday 19 August and Thursday 20 August 2026
Location: Resources Rescue Theatre, Bay 20, Melbourne Convention Centre
Theme: Leading for Impact in High-Risk Environments: Integrating Integrity, Inclusion, and Operational Excellence
The AFAC26 Resources Rescue Theatre will showcase how leadership intent is translated into practical, measurable impact across high-risk, remote and industrial environments. With a strong resource sector focus, the 2026 program will bring together leaders and practitioners from mining, energy, emergency services, medical response, training, technology and research to explore how operational excellence is built through interoperability, capability development, inclusive leadership and trusted response systems. Aligned to the broader AFAC26 theme, the Resources Rescue Theatre will examine how leadership grounded in integrity, inclusion and operational excellence strengthens readiness, supports innovation, and improves outcomes for responders, organisations and the communities they serve. The program will highlight evidence-based practice, operational case studies and emerging technologies that help translate strategy into safer, more effective frontline action.
Day 1 – Operational Leadership for Impact (Sessions 1 - 4)
Day 1 will focus on how organisations in the resources and industrial sectors are leading operational improvement in high-risk environments.
Sessions will examine:
- integrated emergency response and incident command in remote and high-consequence settings
- multi-agency interoperability between mine site emergency teams, government agencies and specialist responders
- the role of AI, immersive simulation, robotics, telehealth and visual planning tools in improving situational awareness and decision-making
- how training systems, competency assurance and national qualification frameworks are evolving to support modern response capability
- the safe adoption of specialist rescue equipment and technical operating parameters in complex field conditions
Day 1 will include two linked panel discussions:
- From Command Intent to Operational Precision (Sessions 1 and 2) – exploring interoperability, leadership and technology-enabled response
- From Standards to the Sharp End (Sessions 3 and 4) – examining capability frameworks, training design and safe technical practice
Day 2 – Human Leadership for Impact (Sessions 4 - 7)
Day 2 will focus on the people, culture and care systems that underpin trusted and resilient emergency response in the resource sector.
Sessions will examine:
- inclusion, workforce diversity and social licence in emergency response teams
- the role of communication, connectivity and community-facing capability in strengthening trust
- the chain of survival in remote environments, including mass casualty triage, telehealth, prolonged field care and clinical handover
- resilience, psychosocial safety and connected team cultures in high-risk work
Day 2 will conclude with a combined panel discussion:
- Leading People, Trust and Care – bringing together themes of inclusion, communication, care, resilience and leadership in high-risk environments
What Attendees Can Expect
The Resources Rescue Theatre will feature:
- resource-sector case studies and operational lessons
- evidence-informed presentations and applied research
- practical examples of frontline capability uplift
- discussion of emerging risks and new response technologies
- insights into leadership, inclusion, resilience and responder wellbeing
- cross-sector perspectives from industry, emergency services, health, training and technology
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