NSW Rural Fire Service Library
New books, reports and articles in the library
March 2024
Subjects
Victoria’s fire alert has knocked Australians out of complacency. Under climate change, catastrophic bushfires can strike any time (News article)
The Conversation, 28 February 2024
The Bayindeen bushfire near Ballarat meant more than 30,000 people in high-risk areas between Ballarat and Ararat were reportedly told to leave their homes. This statewide emergency is noteworthy for several reasons. First, it represents a big test of Australia’s updated fire danger rating system. The new version adopted in 2022 dictates that if a fire takes hold under catastrophic conditions, people should leave an area rather than shelter in place or stay defend their homes. The second point to note is the timing: late February, when many Australians probably thought the worst of the bushfire season was over. Climate change is bringing not just more frequent and severe fires, but longer fire seasons. That means we must stay on heightened alert for much longer than in the past.
Use this Conversation link to read the article online.
Wish you were here? The economic impact of the tourism shutdown from Australia’s 2019-20 ‘Black Summer’ bushfires (Journal article)
Economics of Disasters and Climate Change, Jan 2024
Tourism, including education-related travel, is one of Australia’s top exports and generates substantial economic stimulus from Australians travelling in their own country, attracting visitors to diverse areas including World Heritage rainforests, picturesque beachside villages, winery townships and endemic wildlife. The globally unprecedented 2019-20 bushfires burned worst in some of these pristine tourist areas. The fires resulted in tourism shutting down in many parts of the country over the peak tourist season leading up to Christmas and into the New Year, and tourism dropped in many areas not physically affected by the fires. The authors calculated losses of AU$2.8 billion in total output, $1.56 billion in final demand, $810 million in income and 7300 jobs
Use this Springer link to read the article online
The fires next time : understanding Australia's Black Summer (Book)
Highly recommended by our members! The Black Summer fires burned more than 24 million hectares of Australia's southern and eastern forests - one of the largest areas burnt anywhere on Earth in a single event. The fires killed 33 people and 430 more died as an indirect consequence and they caused unfathomable harm to native species. Their economic ramifications were extensive and enduring State and federal governments and communities were under-prepared for that inferno and its many impacts. Yet global warming is increasing the likelihood of such events. The Fires Next Time offers a comprehensive assessment of the Black Summer fires. Its contributors analyse the event from many vantage points and disciplines - historical, climate scientific, ecological, economic, and political. They assess its impact. Yet global warming is increasing the likelihood of such events. Contributors include Sophie Aitken, Danielle Celermajer, Andrew Dowdy, Robyn Eckersley, Michael-Shawn Fletcher, Tom Griffiths, Michael Grose, Pham Van Ha, David Karoly, Rod Keenan, Andrew King, Tom Kompas, Christine Li, Greg Mullins, Stephen Pyne, Libby Rumpff, David Schlosberg, Kevin Tolhurst, Sotiris Vardoulakis, Iain Walker and Brendan Wintle.
Contact the library to borrow this book. Now available as an eBook as well!
Fire department hydraulics (Book)
By Eugene Mahoney and Brent E. Hannig
Part of the Brady Fire Series books. This US manual was written for courses in fire protection hydraulics, water supply, and fire technology; and for working fire department professionals studying to become drivers, operators, or engineers. One step at a time, it clearly explains key concepts including the weight of water, friction loss within hoselines, characteristics of municipal water supplies, delivery of water to handlines and master streams, and much more.
Contact the library to borrow this book.
Discovering the physics behind 300-year-old firefighting methods (ScienceDaily article)
American Institute of Physics, January 2024
Inspired by a 1725 fire engine that pumped water at larger distances and higher speeds than previously possible, authors analysed the pressure chamber's Windkessel effect to capture the physics behind this widely used, enduring technology. They compared the initial state of the chamber, the rate at which bucket brigades could pour water in (volumetric inflow), the length of time pressure builds, and the effects on output flow rate. Next, the authors plan to examine the physiological Windkessel involved in the heart-aorta system.
Use this ScienceDaily link to read the article online.
An escape route planning model based on wildfire prediction information and travel rate of firefighters (Journal article)
International Journal of Wildland Fire, published online 5 March 2024
When firefighters evacuate from wildfires, escape routes are crucial safety measures, providing pre-defined pathways to a safety zone. Their key evaluation criterion is the time it takes for firefighters to travel along the planned escape routes. The authors introduced a new evaluation indicator called the safety index by predicting the growth trend of wildfires. We then proposed a comprehensive evaluation cost function as an escape route planning model, which includes two factors: (1) travel time; and (2) safety of the escape route. The relationship between the two factors is dynamically adjusted through real time factor.
Use this CSIRO link to read the article online.
Assessing changes in global fire regimes (Journal article)
Fire Ecology, February 2024
The global human footprint has fundamentally altered wildfire regimes, creating serious consequences for human health, biodiversity, and climate. However, it remains difficult to project how long-term interactions among land use, management, and climate change will affect fire behaviour, representing a key knowledge gap for sustainable management. The authors used expert assessment to combine opinions about past and future fire regimes from 99 wildfire researchers and asked for quantitative and qualitative assessments of the frequency, type, and implications of fire regime change from the beginning of the Holocene through the year 2300.
Use this SpringerOpen link to read the article online.
A fast, physically based model of firebrand transport by bushfire plumes (Journal article)
Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, Volume 345, 15 February 2024
Spotfires are a major problem in bushfire management, greatly complicate suppression efforts, and contribute to fires breaking control lines. Firebrands are often implicated in structure loss, and in extreme circumstances have been observed to ignite new fires over 30 km ahead of the parent fire. Existing prediction techniques do not accommodate the problem of such long-range spotting, and the meteorological and fire conditions that lead to such events are not well understood. We present a computationally inexpensive, physically based model of ember transport within bushfire plumes, with four components: an integral plume model, a model of turbulence within the plume, a probabilistic model of ember transport by the plume, and a model of transport beneath the plume.
Contact the library to request a copy of this article.
Perspective: Flawed assumptions behind analysis of litter decomposition, steady state and fire risks in Australia (Journal article)
Forest Ecology and Management, Volume 556, 15 March 2024
Assumptions first made in the 1960’s that litter (1) decomposes to completion, (2) accumulates following a negative exponential pattern, (3) reaches a steady state limit and (4) is constant thereafter, remain overwhelmingly used to parameterize models and predict litter mass and fire risk in south-eastern Australian forest and woodlands. None of these assumptions hold. There is no evidence that any Australian forest has attained steady state at any time in the last 60 years, nor that litterfall or litter mass are ever constant on annual scales.
Use this ScienceDirect link to read the article online.
Resurfacing of underground peat fire: smouldering transition to flaming wildfire on litter surface (Journal article)
International Journal of Wildland Fire, published online 5 February 2024
Smouldering wildfires in peatlands are one of the largest and longest-lasting fire phenomena on Earth, but it is unclear whether such underground peat fires can resurface to the ground and ignite a flame on the litter layer. The authors’ tests confirmed that a smouldering peat fire, ignited at the bottom, can propagate upwards and resurface to ignite a flaming wildfire on the surface litter layer. The propensity of litter to be flaming ignited decreased with increasing peat moisture content and litter layer density.
Use this CSIRO link to read the article online.
Lightning-Induced Wildfires: An Overview (Journal article)
Fire, March 2024
Use this MDPI link to read the article online.
To burn or not to burn: governance of wildfires in Australia
Ecology & Society, Vol 29 February 2024
Contact the library to request a copy of this article.
Mountains mishaps : death and misadventure in the Blue Mountains of NSW (Book)
By Christopher Webber, 2020
Mountains Mishaps tells the story of search and rescue operations, the rescuers, the people who are rescued, and other incidents, in the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. Readers will not only enjoy some terrific stories, but also learn how to enjoy their trip in the Blue Mountains without embarrassment, injury or death.
Contact the library to borrow this book.
Communication and catastrophic events : Strategic Risk and Crisis Management (Book)
Edited by H. Dan O'Hair and Mary John O'Hair, 2023
This book addresses the practical application and research implications of communication in the context of man-made and natural catastrophes. Bringing together contributions by leading experts in crisis management and strategic communication, this timely collection of resources links scientific issues with public policy while discussing the challenges and opportunities for using communication to manage extreme events in the evolving media landscape of the 21st century.
Contact the library to borrow this book.
By Jori P. Kalkman, 2024
Frontline crisis response is challenging. Emergency responders, soldiers, and humanitarian aid workers all operate at the frontlines of threatening, uncertain crisis situations on a daily basis. Under intense pressure, they need to make a range of difficult decisions: to follow preexisting plans or improvise; to abide by top-down instructions or take discretionary actions; to get emotionally involved or keep a rational distance? This book conducts in-depth studies of eleven such dilemmas by integrating a wide array of research findings on crisis response operations. The comprehensive overview of crisis response research shows how frontline responders deal with these dilemmas amidst the chaos of crises and forms the basis for the formulation of a theory of frontline crisis response. As such, this book will undoubtedly help to understand, evaluate, and advance crisis response operations.
Contact the library to borrow this book.
The manufactured identity crisis in emergency management (Magazine article)
Crisis Response Journal, March 2024
Is there truly an identity crisis in emergency management? Cody Santiago emphasises the importance of understanding roles from various perspectives and advocates for collaborative problem -solving, regardless of titles or sectors
Use this library link to download and read this article.
Incentives for self-evacuation: A panacea for bushfire fatalities in the Australian bushfire-prone areas (Journal article)
International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, March 2024 (preproof)
Recurring bushfire disasters have shaped the Australian landscape for over 110 years. Despite this, there has been a rise in the migration of residents into bushfire-prone areas, resulting in increased fatalities. This study investigated incentives that could encourage householders to self-evacuate from bushfire-prone areas during bushfires to address this issue. An inductive approach was adopted, utilising thirty semi-structured interviews with participants in the southeastern part of New South Wales because the region was the most severely affected during the 2019/2020 Black Summer bushfires. The study found that about 41% of residents needed to be aware of existing incentives. In addition, we identified 13 potential incentives that could encourage early self-evacuation during bushfires. These incentives include information and communication, adequacy of resourcing rural fire service, bushfire education programmes, vegetation management, emergency accommodation, financial assistance, access roads availability, security and property protection, affordable insurance coverage, alternative power supply, property preparation assistance, return access to the property, and improved development approval procedures.
Use this ScienceDirect link to read the article online.
Leave early ... and if you can't : a practical guide to being prepared for bushfire (Book)
By Bruce Dudon, 2023
The message is always to leave, and leave early. But what if for some reason you can't? Being well prepared beforehand and understanding fire behaviour could mean the difference between you or your property surviving a bushfire, and not. Written by a veteran firefighter of over 25 years' experience, Bruce Dudon has written this guide to being in every way prepared for the possibility of bushfire.
Contact the library to borrow this book.
Extinction wrapped 2023 (Report)
Australian Conservation Foundation, Feburary 2024
This publication presents a snapshot of the nature destruction that was facilitated by Australia’s failing nature laws in 2023. It tallies up the number of species that were added to the threatened species list, the number of hectares of habitat destruction that was approved and the coal and gas projects that were given the green light in the 12 month period. Australia has one of the worst extinction rates on Earth, and it’s getting worse.
Use this ACF link to read the report online
Impacts of changing fire regimes on hollow-bearing trees in south-eastern Australia (Journal article)
International Journal of Wildland Fire, published online 1 February 2024
Many species use hollows or cavities that form in trees. The effect of an increasing fire frequency on hollow-bearing trees is unclear. The authors simulated how increasing fire frequency will affect the abundance of hollow-bearing trees in forests of south-eastern Australia and conducted a sensitivity analysis to identify which variables affect these predictions. They found that hollow-bearing trees will decline where frequent fires co-occur with high rates at which trees collapse (or are removed) and/or where there are not a sufficient number of suitable mature trees in which new hollows can be excavated by fire.
Use this CSIRO link to read the article online.
‘Fascinating and troubling’: Australians would rather save a single human life than prevent an entire species from becoming extinct (News article)
The Conversation, 13 February 2024
In emergency situations, there is a long-held convention that official responders such as firefighters first attempt to save human life, then property and infrastructure, then natural assets. Our research published today investigated whether this convention reflects community values. We found the people we surveyed valued one human life more than the extinction of an entire non-human species – a result both fascinating and troubling.
Use this Conversation link to read the article online.
Read the related Conservation Biology journal article Social valuation of biodiversity relative to other types of assets at risk in wildfire online here.
Quantitative Assessment of the Effect of Agency-Led Prescribed Burns and Cultural Burns on Soil Properties in Southeastern Australia (Journal article)
Fire, February 2024
Use this MDPI link to read the article online.
Can earth-covered houses protect us from bushfires? Even if they’re a solution, it’s not risk-free (News article)
The Conversation, 12 March 2024
As extreme fire weather becomes more common across ever larger areas of Australia, we need new options for living with the risk of bushfire. Underground or earth-sheltered housing is one possibility. While still unusual, these homes are being built in bushfire-prone areas. But before we embrace this form of housing as a widespread solution to increasing bushfire risks, we need to consider its complexities. Things to weigh up include the challenges of designing and building these homes, their costs and occupants’ behaviour. We also have limited real-world evidence of how such homes perform in bushfires.
Use this Conversation link to read the article online.
Dopamine nation : why our addiction to pleasure is causing us pain (Book)
By Anna Lembke, 2021
This book is about pleasure. It's also about pain. Most important, it's about how to find the delicate balance between the two, and why now more than ever finding balance is essential. The smartphone is the modern-day hypodermic needle, delivering digital dopamine 24/7 for a wired generation. As such we've all become vulnerable to compulsive overconsumption. Lembke illustrates how finding contentment and connectedness means keeping dopamine in check.
Contact the library to borrow this book.
Getting Comfortable with Uncertainty for Teens : 10 Tips to Overcome Anxiety, Fear, and Worry (eBook)
By Juliana Negreiros and Katherine Martinez, 2022
A fun and practical guide to help you deal with feelings of anxiety, fear, worry, and self-doubt. Do you ever feel stressed, worried, or anxious about the future? You aren't alone. From pandemics and natural disasters to school violence and social media overload, today's teens face an increasingly overwhelming and uncertain world. Add in the daily stress of school and grades, friends and relationships, extracurricular activities, jobs, and planning for college, and there's plenty to feel anxious about. The good news is that you can manage your fears, live with confidence, and make a positive impact. This book will show you how.
A liberated mind : how to pivot toward what matters (Book)
By Steven Hayes, 2019
Life is not a problem to be solved. ACT shows how we can live full and meaningful lives by embracing our vulnerability and turning toward what hurts. In this landmark book, the originator and pioneering researcher into Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) lays out the psychological flexibility skills that make it one of the most powerful approaches research has yet to offer. These skills have been shown to help even where other approaches have failed. Beginning with the epiphany Steven Hayes had during a panic attack, this book is a powerful narrative of scientific discovery filled with moving stories as well as advice for how we can put flexibility skills to work immediately. Hayes shows how allowing ourselves to feel fully and think freely moves us toward commitment to what truly matters to us.
Contact the library to borrow this book.
By Louise Hayes, 2022
Uncertainty has become a constant in our daily lives, causing anxiety, fear, sadness, confusion, and anger. Based on the authors' highly popular DNA-v training program, What Makes You Stronger teaches readers an easy and effective six-step approach-grounded in mindfulness, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and positive psychology-to successfully coping with change and adversity, and building the strength to overcome whatever life throws at them
Contact the library to borrow this book.
By Russ Harris, 2021
Trauma-Focused ACT presents a highly effective, research-based protocol for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as a broad range of trauma-related disorders-from depression to addiction. Newcomers and experienced professionals alike will learn a comprehensive approach to treating trauma with a focus on living in the present, healing the past, and building the future. This unique guide is based on the empirically supported program author Russ Harris developed for the World Health Organization (WHO)
Contact the library to borrow this book. Also available as an eBook
How to bounce forward : change the way you deal with adversity(Book)
By Sam Cawthorne, 2020
This must-read business provides the tools and strategies to overcome crisis and ignite massive innovation and productivity though adversarial growth. Speaking to audiences around the world, the author draws on his incredible personal experience and in-depth knowledge of business turnarounds to provide businesses, professionals and individuals how they can grow and achieve outstanding success through crises and tough times.
Contact the library to borrow this book.
Happy days : the guided path from trauma to profound freedom and inner peace(Book)
By Gabrielle Bernstein, 2022
What if you could wake up every day without anxiety? View your past with purpose, not regret? Gabrielle Bernstein presents her most powerful teaching yet: a plan for transforming the pain of your past, whatever that may be, into newfound strength and freedom. Learn why most people feel stuck in patterns that make them unhappy--and what to do about it; nine transformational techniques for serenity and genuine happiness, and how to go into the places that scare you--and come away freer than ever before.
Contact the library to borrow this book.
Solastalgia following the Australian summer of bushfires: Qualitative and quantitative insights about environmental distress and recovery (Journal article)
Journal of Environmental Psychology, published online 29 February 2024
People derive less solace from environments that become degraded or destroyed, which is an experience called solastalgia. In the wake of Australia's 2019–2020 bushfires, many Australians faced a markedly different natural environment: one, for example, charred by fire and void of the animals that once lived there. We examined experiences of solastalgia with members of bushfire-affected communities in Australia. In interviews, bushfire survivors described using environmental cues to understand and prepare for fire risk, and how environmental change led to emotions of sadness and frustration as well as personal and environmental regrowth and resilience.
Use this ScienceDirect link to read the article online.
Wildfires linked to surge in mental health-related emergency department visits (ScienceDaily article)
Emory Health Sciences, February 2024
An Emory University study published in Nature Mental Health shows wildfires lead to an increase of anxiety-related emergency department visits in the western United States, amplifying the concerning parallel trajectory of two escalating public health crises -- mental health and climate change. The researchers showed wildfire smoke events -- which is when wildfires become the main source of ambient pollution within a ZIP code -- were associated with a 6.3% increase in mental health-related emergency department visits.
Use this ScienceDaily link to read the article online.
Exposure to Wildfires Exposures and Mental Health Problems among Firefighters: A Systematic Review (Journal article)
Atmosphere, January 2024
Use this MDPI link to read the article online.
Nature, our medicine : How the natural world sustains us (Book)
By Dimity Williams, 2023
Find out how connecting to nature can boost your health and heal our planet. Join mother, nature lover and family physician, Dr Dimity Williams as she explores the most important relationship we have - our connection with nature. The natural world provides our life support system. Earth's biological richness, or biodiversity, offers us precious medicines and beautiful places for psychological and spiritual rejuvenation. Yet modern life has seen screen spaces replace green places as we have moved inside and into virtual worlds. Incorporating science, history, stories, and alternative cultural knowledge, Dimity makes the case that caring for nature is essential for our wellbeing.
Contact the library to borrow this book.
Work Health and Safety Regulation in Australia (Book)
By Richard Johnstone and Michael Tooma, 2022
Work health and safety regulations is an important and fast developing area of labour law. Over the past three decades work health and safety law in Australia has undergone much reform, with all but one of the Australian jurisdictions adopting the Model Work Health and Safety Act 2010 (the Model Act). This book analyses the Australian work health and safety statutes just over 11 years after the Model Act was first adopted.
Contact the library to borrow this book.
Safety walk safety talk : How small changes in what you THINK, SAY, and DO shape your safety culture (Book)
By David Galloway, 2023
There are many ways someone in a leadership role can have a positive impact on the lives of their employees. Perhaps there is no leadership responsibility more profound than creating a sustainable, injury-free workplace. Every person who goes to work expects to return home in the same condition. When someone is hurt, the adverse effects of their injury ripple through the employee’s family and friends. Achieving an injury-free environment is one of the most difficult problems many leaders face. The first section of the book takes a look at some fundamental concepts everyone who is striving to achieve safety excellence should understand. It includes a discussion on compliance versus commitment, how to develop a safety strategy, why people make mistakes and take risks, and an overview of a Just Culture. The core of the book reviews some key research findings in social psychology, sociology and neuroscience
Contact the library to borrow this book.
By Lisa Buck, 2021
Let’s face it—workplace safety sucks! It’s full of complicated rules and demotivators. It can be confusing, difficult to comply, and just plain no fun. This book will change that for you. It provides loads of examples and real-life experiences to help you engage workers and drive results. If you need to change your safety culture, engage your employees, or push your team to achieve one of OSHA’s Cooperative Programs—then this is the book for you! You’ll find worksheets, agendas, and other tools to help you achieve an enviable safety culture and workers that are excited about workplace safety.
Contact the library to borrow this book.
The Psychology of Teams (Conference presentation - 34 mins)
Major Kevin Vowles, ADF - Human Performance Optimisation Symposium, Sept 2023
Building trust is critical in teams. MAJ Vowles delivered an entertaining and insightful discussion, addressing how to create the three building blocks of trust - psychological safety, connections between team members and development of a meaningful future with a clear plan communication meaning, purpose and direction.
Use The Cove link to watch this video online.
Working for women: a strategy for gender equality (Report)
By Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (Australia), March 2024
This strategy outlines the Australian Government's vision for gender equality – an Australia where people are safe, treated with respect, have choices, and have access to resources and equal outcomes no matter their gender. It sets out a path to make progress towards this vision over the next 10 years, with a focus on five priority areas: gender-based violence, unpaid and paid care, economic equality and security, health and leadership, representation and decision-making. The strategy acknowledges that every institution, organisation, community and individual has a role to play.
Use this Gender Equality link to read the report online
People follow people : the twelve characteristics of an influential leader (Book)
By Sam Cawthorne, 2021
The most successful leaders and influencers are not only committed to making the world a better place, but they have the character and integrity to lead others to do the same. This book is a guide for embracing your true character and values to create and authentic, long-lasting connection with your audience, colleagues and customers. The author reveals the 12 characteristics you need to become an outstanding leader who attracts a loyal following, attains longevity to achieve objectives, and leaves a revered legacy.
Contact the library to borrow this book.
Getting along : how to work with anyone (even difficult people) (Book)
By Amy Gallo, 2022
Work relationships can be hard. The stress of dealing with difficult people dampens our creativity and productivity, degrades our ability to think clearly and make sound decisions, and causes us to disengage. We might lie awake at night worrying, withdraw from work, or react in ways we later regret—rolling our eyes in a meeting, snapping at colleagues, or staying silent when we should speak up.In Getting Along, workplace expert and Harvard Business Review podcast host Amy Gallo identifies eight familiar types of difficult coworkers—the insecure boss, the passive-aggressive peer, the know-it-all, the biased coworker, and others—and provides strategies tailored to dealing constructively with each one. She also shares principles that will help you turn things around, no matter who you're at odds with. Getting Along is an indispensable guide to navigating your toughest relationships at work—and building interpersonal resilience in the process.
Contact the library to borrow this book.
What Does it Take to energize belonging (Journal article)
T D: Talent Development, March 2024
This article discusses the importance of belonging in the workplace and how it can positively impact employee engagement, productivity, and creativity. The author defines belonging as a sense of security and support that comes from feeling welcomed, valued, accepted, and safe. The article also presents a framework for fostering belonging, which includes three themes: feeling connected, respected, and protected. The author provides practical strategies for leaders to connect with, respect, and protect their employees, such as getting to know them personally, communicating frequently, and creating a psychologically safe environment.
Contact the library to request a copy of this article.
Good power : leading positive change in our lives, work, and world (Book)
By Ginni Rometty, 2023
One of the world's most respected leaders, former IBM CEO Ginni Rometty overcame childhood and financial struggles to embark on a groundbreaking career that took her from entry-level engineer to eight years as the first woman CEO of an iconic global company. Forty years in business and public advocacy taught Rometty the transformative power of leadership that blends authenticity, relationships, and curiosity with vision, rigor, and conviction. In her personable yet direct voice, Rometty reveals experiences that taught her how to orchestrate change for clients, companies, and communities. Her lessons and stories offer a blueprint for how we can all drive meaningful change in positive ways-a concept she calls "good power."
Contact the library to borrow this book.
Comfy shoes and keychains : tips for women in leadership (Book)
By Carrie Hruby, 2023
In Comfy Shoes and Keychains, Hruby uses the power of storytelling to provide tips and insightful lessons on confidence, self-care, communication, engagement, burnout and more. Each chapter tells the story of a woman in leadership who faces adversity and learns to overcome. The book offers insight to fears and struggles that are relatable to all leaders. The stories are real and heartfelt and provide valuable tips for resilience and success. From the guilt of a working mom to the need to fight for equity, Hruby inspires leaders while coaching them through each narrative.
Contact the library to borrow this book.
T D: Talent Development, March 2024
Contact the library to request a copy of this article.
Our AI future (Journal article)
NFPA Journal, Spring 2024
Last July, a small wildfire ignited in the middle of the night deep in a rugged expanse of the Cleveland National Forest, an hour’s drive east of San Diego, California. Even for a trained spotter perched high above the valley, the small column of smoke would have been difficult to see rising against the vast night sky. But the machines were watching. Soon after the ignition, the smoke was detected by a camera loaded with an artificial intelligence program trained to constantly scan the landscape, as far as 110 miles out, and identify minute visual changes that might suggest a fire had started.Tools built on artificial intelligence offer a mind-boggling array of possibilities for improving public safety. Just how these technologies will impact public safety raises complex questions that researchers and developers are just beginning to answer.
Use this NFPA link to read the article online
Machines behaving badly : the morality of AI (Book)
By Toby Walsh, 2022
Can we build moral machines? Toby Walsh, AI expert, examines the ethical issues we face in a future dominated by artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence is an essential part of our lives - for better or worse. AI can be used to influence what we buy, who gets shortlisted for a job and even how we vote. Professor Toby Walsh, a world-leading researcher in the field of artificial intelligence, explores the ethical considerations and unexpected consequences AI poses - Is Alexa racist? Can robots have rights? What happens if a self-driving car kills someone? What limitations should we put on the use of facial recognition? Machines Behaving Badly is a thought-provoking look at the increasing human reliance on robotics.
Contact the library to borrow this book.
Faking it : artificial intelligence in a human world (Book)
By Toby Walsh, 2023
A prescient analysis of what makes artificial intelligence so ... artificial The brave new world of faking it ... Artificial intelligence is, as the name suggests, artificial and fundamentally different to human intelligence. Yet often the goal of AI is to fake human intelligence. Can AI systems ever be creative? Can they be moral? What can we do to ensure they are not harmful?
Contact the library to borrow this book.
The age of AI : and our human future (Book)
By Henry A. Kissinger, Eric Schmidt, Daniel Huttenlocher, 2022
A.I. that learned to play chess discovered moves that no human champion would have conceived of. Driverless cars edge forward at red lights, just like impatient humans, and so far, nobody can explain why it happens. Artificial intelligence is being put to use in sports, medicine, education, and how we wage war. In this book, three of our most accomplished and deep thinkers come together to explore how A.I. could affect our relationship with knowledge, impact our world views, and change society and politics as profoundly as the ideas of the Enlightenment.
Contact the library to borrow this book.
The coming wave (Book)
By Mustafa Suleyman with Michael Bhaskar, 2023
As cofounder of DeepMind, the pioneering AI company now owned by Google, Mustafa Suleyman has witnessed firsthand just how rapidly our technology is advancing-and how flawed our approaches to grappling with these changes are. The coming decades, he argues, will be defined by a burst of innovation, an inevitable wave of powerful, fast-proliferating new technologies across fields like synthetic biology, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing. Driven forward by immense strategic and financial incentives, these breakthroughs will solve huge challenges and create vast wealth-but upheaval, too, on a once unimaginable scale. Will humankind make it through the narrow corridor between dystopia and catastrophe? In The Coming Wave, Suleyman shows how this new technological super-wave fits a historical pattern of innovation and proliferation, while departing from it in key ways
Contact the library to borrow this book.
Mind over matter: the philosophical arguments around AI, natural intelligence and memory (Discussion paper)
By John Sweller, Centre for Independent Studies March 2024
Though artificial intelligence is quickly becoming a greater part of our everyday lives, this paper provides a timely opportunity to revisit what makes any system — be it an artificial or a natural one — intelligent in the first place. In characteristic engaging style, Professor John Sweller employs metaphor to provide a novel understanding of the foundations of intelligence. Namely, he draws on our understanding of other intelligent systems — including from evolutionary biology — for fresh insights.
Use this Centre for Independent Studies link to read the paper online
Survival : the inspirational story of the Thredbo disaster's sole survivor (Book)
By Stuart Diver with Simon Bouda, 1999
On the night of July 30th 1997 a landslide shattered the tranquillity of Thredbo Village, sweeping away two ski lodges and burying 19 people beneath tonnes of concrete and mud. In the days that followed, the world mourned as rescuers dragged body after body from the rubble. But out of tragedy sprang an amazing story of survival. Stuart Diver, whose young wife Sally died beside him in the first moments of the slide, had clung to life buried beneath a concrete slab for 65 freezing hours. This is Stuart Diver's story. The story of how one man found the mental and physical strength to live through tragedy and survive against impossible odds.
Contact the library to borrow this book.
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