M. Strano, H. Hrachovec, F. Sudweeks and C. Ess (eds). Proceedings Cultural Attitudes Towards Technology and Communication 2012, Murdoch University, Australia, 372-382. FIREWATCH: USE OF SATELLITE IMAGERY BY REMOTE COMMUNITIES IN NORTHERN AUSTRALIA FOR FIRE RISK COMMUNICATIONS. DANIELLE BRADY, DONELL HOLLOWAY AND LELIA GREEN School of Communications and Arts, Edith Cowan University, Western Australia Abstract. This paper presents the contextual background and early findings from a new research project funded by the Australian Research Council titled Using community engagement and enhanced visual information to promote FireWatch satellite communications as a support for collaborative decision-making. FireWatch (provided by Landgate in Western Australia) is an internet-based public information service based on near real time satellite data showing timely information relevant to bushfire safety within Australia. However, it has been developed in a highly technical environment and is currently used chiefly by experts. This project aims to redesign FireWatch for ordinary users and to engage a remote community in Northern Australia in this process, leading to improved decision making surrounding bushfire risk. 1. Introduction This paper introduces and reports on early progress from a research project funded by the Australian Research Council titled Using community engagement and enhanced visual information to promote FireWatch satellite communications as a support for collaborative decision-making. The project concerns FireWatch, an internet-based public information service based on near real time satellite and remotely sensed information relevant to bushfire safety within Australia. The service is produced by Landgate, a government statutory authority in Western Australia, and has been developed in a technical environment primarily for the use of fire and emergency services experts. The aim of the project is to redesign and repurpose FireWatch for use by ordinary users and to engage a remote community in northern Western Australia in that process. The redevelopment of this product will extend the usability of the product from experts to ordinary users in order to facilitate community-based decision-making and action both before and during bushfire emergencies. The two main research questions this project poses are: how can FireWatch be integrated into communities as part of a holistic fire awareness program? and, how can Firewatch be redesigned to incorporate global best practice and modern principles of dynamic information design to develop a more intuitive version for ordinary users?