CFS undertaking significant investment in strategic and tactical mapping tools

The SA Country Fire Service is making significant investments in modern geospatial and mapping technologies to strengthen the way bushfires are planned for and managed in South Australia.  

Through the introduction of the next generation of Bushfire Management Area Plans and the adoption of tactical mapping platform FireMapper, the agency is being equipped with more consistent, evidence-based and real-time tools.  

Together, these new systems will improve coordination between organisations, enhance situational awareness on the fireground, and ensure mitigation activities are better targeted. 

Bushfire Management Area Plans (BMAPs)  

The State’s most substantial reform to bushfire mitigation planning in 15 years is now underway, with the commencement of BMAP 2.0 – the next generation of Bushfire Management Area Plans (BMAPs).  

BMAPs guide how bushfire risk reduction activities are planned and prioritised across the state. They help agencies work together on mitigation activities that reduce risk to communities before a fire occurs. 

As part of the project which is being delivered by CFS on behalf of the State Bushfire Coordination Committee, the next generation of BMAPs will replace the current system with a more modern, consistent and evidence-based approach. The new system will better support Bushfire Management Committees to plan, review and track mitigation activities over time. 

South Australian company Nova Systems Pty Ltd has been appointed to deliver the new BMAP 2.0 system, building on an existing bushfire planning system already used by the New South Wales Rural Fire Service. 

State Bushfire Coordination Committee representatives recently met with Nova Systems to kick-off the new project. 

The project is jointly  funded  through $1.8 million from  the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)  Disaster Ready Fund  and  an  additional $2.7 million over four years  from the State Government.

Once implemented, the BMAPs will drive the on-ground implementation of bushfire mitigation activities in a coordinated manner to deliver improved community safety outcomes.

A rapid deployment will allow for a rollout of initial capabilities to Bushfire Management Committee users within six months.

FireMapper secured as tactical mapping platform

In a significant milestone for CFS, FireMapper has been secured as the long-term tactical mapping platform for incidents across South Australia.

FireMapper has been used within CFS Aviation for the past 7 years and was trialled more broadly across CFS during the 2024/25 Fire Danger Season. Following strong feedback and operational success, the trial was extended into the 2025/26 season while a procurement process was completed. 

The platform provides near-real-time tactical mapping, supporting improved situational awareness, decision-making, and firefighter safety. It also aligns CFS with the tactical mapping platform used by many interstate and international agencies. 

Firefighters can add and remove map information as conditions change, helping ensure hazards and operational information remain accurate and current. A strong audit trail means information can always be restored if needed. 

FireMapper was recently used by CFS crews deployed to Western Australia during the Newmont Goldmine bushfire. Crews and incident management teams worked from a single tactical picture, improving coordination and supporting effective mop-up of hotspots.