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The Lessons Management Forum 2026 will be a hybrid event.

The forum has three objectives:

  1. Share lessons identified or learned (refer to the Lessons Management handbook for definition of learned lessons). The program committee will prioritise abstracts on lessons identified.
  2. Provide introductory level training, workshops and presentations to educate, encourage and empower those new to lessons management.
  3. Provide presentations and workshops that challenge and advance the thinking and practice of experienced lessons management practitioners.

The Lessons Management Forum 2026 suggested topics.

Ticket options and inclusions

The Lessons Management Forum will be delivered as a hybrid event, allowing those unable to join AFAC and AIDR in location to be confirmed to participate online. 

Virtual attendees will join via Zoom, and all delegates will use an online Q&A platform to engage with speakers. 

Registrations open February 2026.

2026 AFAC Lessons Management Award

Nominations for the 2026 Lessons Management Award open in early 2026.

AFAC, along with member agencies, has recognised the continued need to develop lessons management capability across the fire and emergency services in Australia. The AFAC Knowledge, Innovation and Research Utilisation Network develops and advocates approaches that support the development and sharing of good practice in knowledge management, lessons management, innovation and cultural practices that support our business at all levels.

Congratulations to our winner and finalists for 2025.

Winner:

  • “Application of AIDR Lessons Management Approach to the DFES Cultural Fire Program”
    Cultural Fire Program, Bushfire Centre of Excellence, Department of Fire & Emergency Services

Finalists:

  • “SASES Lessons Management Framework and Lessons Management Board”
    South Australian State Emergency Service (SASES)

  • “Gold Coast Disaster and Emergency Management Lessons Program”
    City of Gold Coast

  • “Fire and Emergency New Zealand's Lessons Management Policy, Framework, and supporting initiatives”
    Fire and Emergency New Zealand

  • “Western Australia Lessons Management Community of Practitioners”
    Department of Fire and Emergency Services

  • “Community-centred Tenterfield Post-Bushfire Learning Review”
    Fire to Flourish, Monash University

Learn more about the award winner and finalists here.

Accommodation

Accommodation options will be released once the venue has been announced.

About the Lessons Management Forum

Participants take part in a broad range of presentations and workshops from various jurisdictions and organisations, including military, health, and fire and emergency services. The program explores sharing lessons, including insights and lessons identified from experiences in an operational context. This may include outcomes from debriefs and outcomes from significant events. It will also explore implementing lessons and the different approaches taken by organisations in managing lessons. This may include development of frameworks, governance and processes.

 

The program includes:

Presentations
Presentations will cover lessons that have been identified as well as how to manage lessons. There will be a broad range of presentations and workshops from various organisations, jurisdictions and sectors.

The forum
The forum is open to everyone and will provide face-to-face networking opportunities to enhance the expanding community of practitioners working in the lessons management area and will encourage new members to join. The forum is also livestreamed for attendees to view as an online delegate if they are unable to attend in person.

Workshops
A selection of workshops related to lessons management will be available to register for, at an additional cost.

Networking event
A networking event is held on the evening of day one of the forum.

 

Who should attend?

The Lessons Management Forum provides an opportunity for lessons management practitioners, those interested in this area, and those new to the area, to share good practice, learnings, and innovations.

The Lessons Management Forum is an AFAC event, proudly supported by AIDR.