Thousands of firefighters and emergency service providers worked tirelessly over the 2019‑20 bushfire season, showing great dedication, professionalism and hard work. They saved lives, homes and natural environments. They faced tough conditions and endured often long periods away from their jobs and families. Some, tragically, lost their lives and others lost their homes.

This paper provides a brief overview of some of the issues that affect firefighters and other emergency service providers, and poses a number of questions concerning, among other things, how they are recruited, trained and supported; how their equipment is managed; how they communicate during an emergency; and how they share resources.