An intern has helped the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions better predict where bushfires may break out.
The app will be used by regional and field staff to collect data on mallee heath vegetation that is used in bushfire prediction.
Hannah Liang, a Master of Information Technology student at UWA, led its development during her McCusker Centre for Citizenship internship with the DBCA.
“An abundance of data greatly assists in building bushfire prediction models, enabling researchers to make more precise predictions,” Hannah, of East Perth, said.
Her work on the project impressed staff at the DBCA so much that she was offered a paid role.
Vicky Reynen, Hannah’s internship supervisor and acting regional fire services coordinator with DBCA’s Parks and Wildlife Service, said the app would help the department modernise its data collection.
“Fire and emergency management is a large and complex area, and it can take some time for new employees to understand the intricacies of the business,” Ms Reynen said
“Hannah was also able to grasp the concepts of our wider business and apply them to her project.”
Hannah said her work had sparked a stronger interest in environmental conservation.
“Seeing how DBCA operates to protect the environment firsthand has given me a deeper appreciation for the work done in this field,” she said.