Join us for the Hack for Humanity.

Partnering with La Trobe University, we will be bringing teams together to provide solutions to current challenges faced within the Emergency Services and Disaster Management space.

Whether you’re an engineer, software developer, graphic designer, entrepreneur, marketer, student, or from any other discipline, this event is for those interested in developing solutions, creating networks and building capacity.

The winning entry will have the opportunity to be entered into the La Trobe Accelerator Program.

Each judge brings their own unique and valuable perspective:

Potential problems to be addressed (these are to be confirmed):

SES – Attending Car Crashes

There are lots of new materials and technology being used in the manufacture of vehicles now. When attending a car crash, we conduct an initial "expose and explore" process which involves using a screwdriver to remove trimmings in the vehicle to identify the location of high risk devices such as air bag cannisters and seat belt tensioners. Whilst this takes time it is necessary to ensure the safety of those inside the vehicle, as well as those attempting to access them. Cutting through an airbag canister can cause an explosion and there have been instances of major injury to the tool operator. We also need to know what materials have been used in the construction of a vehicle as our hydraulic equipment (known as the Jaws of Life) can be damaged to the point of being unusable if applied to some compositions of high tensile steel. Electric and hybrid cars are extending this problem with new technology including electrical systems with more than one source of power which can remain live after the traditionally located main battery is disconnected, materials and methods of construction being utilised.

How can we quickly and easily know which parts of the car we can access safely?

One solution might be an app that can scan a barcode on a car, or access a database of car specifications that provides information about structural features of a car (vehicle schematics)?

SES – Flood Warnings

Unless they have lived through it in the past, many residents struggle to understand the reality and seriousness of flood warnings and to appreciate what rising floodwater would mean to them and their property if and when a flood hits them. This puts people and animals in unnecessary danger, and results in more damage to property than might otherwise be the case.

How can we help residents make the decision whether they should evacuate, where to, and what precautions they should take to protect their homes?

One solution might be the use of augmented reality to demonstrate what predicted flood levels will actually look like?

Hospital Emergency Department

When working on someone in an Emergency Resuscitation Bay, there are lots of wires and tubes attached to a patient. There is also often at least 4 or 5 doctors/nurses working on the person at the same time, as well as other equipment and machines in very close proximity. It can be described as a “cluttered environment”. 10 of these wires attached to a patient are connected to an ECG machine at the other end. They are extremely important, but they also get tangled, disconnected, get in the way of resuscitation and when trying to get chest X-rays, and make the transportation of patients complex.

How can we make the ECG monitoring of patients in emergency resuscitation bays less problematic, while ensuring confidence in the important information this provides?

One solution might be to make them wireless?

CFA – Firefighter Biometric Readings

Firefighters enter in to situations of extreme heat – potentially up to 1,000 degrees – often carrying up to 20kg of equipment. They may be exposed to this situation for up to an hour. The third biggest killer of firefighters is heart attack brought on as a result of heat stress. Structural fire clothing protects firefighters from the extreme heat of the fire, but does not allow metabolic heat to escape, so it builds up. Heat stress and dehydration are not only serious health concerns, but can also affect decision making. We currently assess firefighter health once they leave the fire-zone – body temperature, blood pressure, urine colour. However, this is after exposure to the extreme conditions.

How can we monitor important bodily functions such as body temperature, pulse rate and blood pressure, within the fire situation to ensure firefighter safety?

One solution might be to develop a Fitbit style device that can be worn by firefighters and relay real-time information to a software application?

Red Cross

When providing relief to disaster zones, it is important to immediately provide them with the things necessary for basic survival which may be in scarce supply, such as water, food and medical attention/supplies. However, it is important to transition this support away from physical items to money, as this allows the local economy to get back on its feet more quickly. While this saves on the transportation of bulky goods, it brings its own challenges as people in many disaster zones – especially in the pacific islands and parts of Asia – have no access to bank accounts and limited access to internet/telecommunication networks or devices.

How can we quickly and easily ensure that money is delivered to people within disaster zones to help re-establish the local economy?

One solution might involve blockchain technology?

This event is catered.