From our Australia branch
Join us for this free, online webinar event exploring the fiery evolution of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). Our five speakers will provide a number of unique perspectives on the gradually evolving design standards of BESS, as well as the struggles of renewable energy, cutting-edge design, and what the future will likely hold for BESS and fire safety.
Our speakers will also be providing real-world accounts of BESS fire investigations with contributions from top Australian Fire Investigators, discussing the font lines of fire investigations and emergency responses to an ever-growing BESS industry.
Speakers
Chair - Fiona Perrin, Acting Principal Risk Engineer, Zurich Resilience Solutions
Fiona Perrin is not your average Principal Risk Engineer at Zurich Resilience Solutions - she’s a fire safety enthusiast with a flair for the unexpected. With a First-Class Honours degree in Fire Engineering from Scotland and over a decade of international experience, Fiona has worked across Australia, the UK, and beyond, tackling fire safety challenges in sectors ranging from heritage buildings and healthcare to construction and the arts.
Before joining Zurich in 2023, Fiona spent 12 years at the BBC, where she handled everything from pyrotechnics on TV sets to emergency planning for music festivals and fire risk assessments across 100+ global offices. Now, she helps clients manage risk across both Property (Fire) and Workers Compensation lines, bringing her diverse
expertise to every project. Fiona is also a Board Director with the Institute of Fire Engineers (Australia Branch) and is a passionate advocate for women in the fire safety industry.
Christopher Markweel, President of the Queensland Association of Fire Investigators
Chris Markwell recently wrapped up a 36-year career with the Queensland Fire Department, but retirement hasn’t dimmed his spark. Throughout his time at QFD, Chris wore many helmets—Firefighter, Station Officer, Hazmat Officer, Fire Investigator, and Principal Instructor for the Fire Investigation Officers Training Course. He’s trained everyone from electrical inspectors to interstate police in the art and science of fire investigation.
Chris also spent a decade in QFD’s Community Safety Section, reviewing building designs, inspecting fire safety compliance, and assessing performance solutions for combustible cladding. A past President of the Queensland Association of Fire Investigators and a contributor to AFAC guidelines on emerging technologies like EVs and BESS, Chris brings deep expertise and hard-earned insights into the challenges of lithium battery fires. He joins us to share lessons learned from one of Queensland’s largest BESS fire investigations.
Daren Mallouk, Inspector, Queensland Fire Department, Manager, State Fire Investigation Unit
Inspector Daren Mallouk leads the State Fire Investigation Unit at the Queensland Fire Department, bringing deep expertise in emergency and disaster management with a sharp focus on fire origin and cause investigations. With a career built on both frontline experience and strategic leadership, Daren combines hands-on knowledge with academic rigour—holding multiple qualifications including a Bachelor of Emergency Service and several graduate diplomas and certificates in fire investigation and management.
Internationally recognised as a Certified Fire Investigator through the IAAI and AFAC’s EMPS scheme, Daren has also represented AFAC on Australian Standards Committees, advocating for fire safety in rooftop solar and lithium battery storage systems. He’s a driving force behind national guidelines on emerging technologies and joins us to share his insights into how fire investigation is evolving alongside the energy systems it protects.
Jamie Hansen, Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Fire Rescue Victoria
Jamie Hansen is the Director of Fire Safety at Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV), where he leads the charge on everything from Major Hazard Facilities and Dangerous Goods to building compliance and policy reform. With a passion for consistency in fire safety
across Australia, Jamie represents FRV nationally on the risks posed by alternative and renewable energy technologies—ensuring that regulation keeps pace with innovation.
Jamie’s emergency management experience spans some of the country’s most significant events, including the ACB Chemical Fire, Black Saturday, Black Summer, and the Hazelwood Mine Fire. He’s also taken his expertise abroad, overseeing fire service and community development programs in Cambodia and Timor Leste for the United Nations. A two-time recipient of the National Emergency Medal and holder of a Graduate Diploma in Executive Leadership, Jamie brings both operational insight and strategic vision to the evolving challenges of fire safety in the energy transition.
Anna-Lena Johansson, Risk Engineer, RED Fire Engineers
Anna-Lena (Allie) Johansson is part of the Risk Engineering team at RED Fire Engineers, where she specialises in renewable energy projects like battery energy storage systems (BESS) and solar farms. With a sharp eye for technical risk, Allie helps clients navigate fire safety challenges during design development, preparing reports that keep projects safe and compliant.
Her background spans both engineering and insurance, with experience in property risk, business interruption, machinery damage, and fire protection. Holding a BSc in Fire Protection Engineering and an MSc in Risk Management and Safety Engineering, Allie brings a unique blend of technical insight and practical risk expertise to the fast-evolving world of energy infrastructure.
This event takes place on Tuesday, 11th November at 12:00 AEDT (Melbourne/Sydney), 11:00 AEST (Brisbane), 09:00 AWST (Perth) and 01:00 AM GMT.