2023 EMPA Australia award winners

EMPA Australia Awards for Excellence in Communication

The Annual EMPA Awards for Excellence in Emergency Communication have been established to recognise those who have made a significant contribution to emergency communications in Australia and New Zealand.

The Australian EMPA Awards for 2023 were presented at the conference dinner and awards evening on Wednesday 7 June 2023. 

For emergency communication - Readiness and Resilience

A project or activity that contributes to improved community preparedness and/or resilience.

Winner
Get Ready Queensland, Queensland Reconstruction Authority
Check out what you need: A behaviour-change mission by Get Ready Queensland

Kate Retzki, right, and Kasey Donald from Reconstruction Queensland with Barb Ryan. 

Highly Commended
The Flagstaff Group
EMBER program - Emergency Management Backpack Evacuation Resource

Barb Ryan, left, with Alison Turner of the Flagstaff Group.

Highly Commended
Wollombi Rural Fire Brigade, NSW Rural Fire Service and Cessnock City Council
GET READY CESSNOCK - Emergency Preparedness Program

Ben Shepherd, left, from NSW Rural Fire Service accepting the award on behalf of the Wollombi Rural Fire Brigade and Cessnock City Council. 

For emergency communication - Community Engagement

Collaborating effectively with diverse and varied communities.

Promoting collaborative communication methods and engagement with the aim that communities will eventually drive their own programs.

Winner
The Flagstaff Group
EMBER program - Emergency Management Backpack Evacuation Resource

Barb Ryan, left, with Alison Turner of the Flagstaff Group.

Highly Commended
Dr Margaret Cook
Reducing the Flood Hazard: Communicating Lessons from History

Barb Ryan, left, with author Margaret Cook.

Highly Commended
Bureau of Meteorology
Delivering community messaging in Gurindji language during major NT floods

Barb Ryan, left, with Fiona Dunstan from the Bureau of Meteorology.

For emergency communication - Response

Communicating effectively during an emergency response

Winner
Department of Fire and Emergency Services
Innovative Crisis Communication Excellence: MCC Team’s Outstanding Achievement in the Kimberley Floods Response

Highly Commended
CEQ-Engage and Clinical Excellence Queensland
Co-designing and responding with clinicians during a global pandemic

Barb Ryan, right, with Katie May and Craig Brown from Clinical Excellence Queensland, Queensland Health.

Highly Commended
ABC Emergency
Expand our emergency messaging to people with disability

Barb Ryan, left, with Bec Hogan from ABC Emergency.

Deana Pullella, left, from Department of Fire and Emergency Services, WA, with Barb Ryan.

For media

In-depth and balanced coverage of a topic that increases public understanding of a hazard or an emergency response.
Comprehensive and accurate reporting before or during an emergency response, contributing to public safety.

Winner
SBS Audio, Audio Language Content Division
SBS Settlement Guide, Emergency Essentials

Barb Ryan, left, with Roza Germian and Ildikó Dauda from SBS Audio (ALCD)

Highly Commended
ABC North West Queensland
ABC coverage of the Gulf floods, March 2023

Barb Ryan, left, with Anne O'Keefe of ABC Emergency, accepting on behalf of the team at ABC North West Queensland

For published research that advances emergency communication by:

  • Improving community preparedness and/or resilience

  • Increasing the effectiveness of communication during an emergency response;

  • Enabling agencies to better support communities recovering from an adverse event.

Winner
Dr Kate Delmo
Reducing risk and increasing community resilience in culturally and linguistically diverse communities through culturally appropriate communication. 

Barb Ryan, left, with Kate Delmo from University of Technology Sydney.