Bushfire Surveyor System

In the wake of increasingly severe bushfire seasons, CSIRO needed a faster, smarter way to collect and process data from field researchers and environmental scientists. Their existing methods were:

• Manual and fragmented, relying on paper-based or spreadsheet-based data collection
• Difficult to scale, especially in remote or emergency-affected regions
• Prone to human error and lacked real-time validation or synchronisation
• Slow to process, delaying critical modelling and decision-making

CSIRO approached Rocket Lab to help build a robust digital system that could streamline bushfire survey data collection and integrate seamlessly into their research workflow.

We designed and developed the Bushfire Surveyor System—a custom web and mobile application built for environmental fieldwork. Key elements of the solution included:

• Cross-Platform Mobile App
  A responsive, offline-capable app for use on tablets and mobile devices in the field—allowing researchers to collect geotagged bushfire survey data, upload photos, and complete structured forms.
• Web Admin Portal
  A secure dashboard for researchers and project managers to configure surveys, monitor data collection progress, and export datasets for analysis.
• Real-Time Sync & Offline Mode
  Designed for harsh and remote conditions, the app stores data locally and syncs automatically when connectivity is restored—ensuring nothing is lost during surveys.
• Data Validation & Consistency Checks
  Built-in form logic reduces input errors and enforces data quality standards, improving the integrity of datasets used in CSIRO’s predictive models.
• Custom API Integration
  Seamless integration with CSIRO’s internal databases and GIS systems for downstream processing, reporting, and scientific modelling.

The Bushfire Surveyor System has significantly improved how CSIRO conducts and manages bushfire-related fieldwork:

• ✅ More accurate and complete data collection
• 🚀 Faster turnaround from field to analysis
• 🌐 Real-time visibility across multiple survey teams and locations
• 🔐 Improved data governance and traceability
• 🌱 Stronger resilience in the face of future environmental events

The system is now a core part of CSIRO’s bushfire research toolkit, enhancing Australia's capacity to plan, respond, and recover from natural disasters.