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Policy & Positions

Policy & Positions (5)

Tuesday, 05 March 2013 13:32

CFA Policies

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It is not intended for copies of all CFA Policies to be displayed on this page. Below you will find copies of the most requested (or recently changed) policies for your convenience.

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An Adobe Acrobat file 2012 CFA Defib Policy Download Preceding File Preview in Google Docs Viewer 1.57 MB
An Adobe Acrobat file 2013 Black Jackets - New CO Policy on their Use Download Preceding File Preview in Google Docs Viewer 194.15 KB
An Adobe Acrobat file 2015_SS03Provision_of_Personal_Protective_Clothing_Policy_V2_66559 Download Preceding File Preview in Google Docs Viewer 38.14 KB
An Adobe Acrobat file 2015_SS03_Provision_of_Personal_Protective_Clothing_Procedure_v1.0_66607 Download Preceding File Preview in Google Docs Viewer 242.28 KB
An Adobe Acrobat file Wire_Rope_Safety_Barriers_CFA_Endorsed_Position Download Preceding File Preview in Google Docs Viewer 931.89 KB

Tuesday, 05 March 2013 10:44

VFBV Position Papers

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An Adobe Acrobat file Position Paper - Driver Training Download Preceding File Preview in Google Docs Viewer 224.19 KB
An Adobe Acrobat file Position Paper - First Aid Download Preceding File Preview in Google Docs Viewer 1.49 MB
An Adobe Acrobat file Position Paper - Listening Sets Download Preceding File Preview in Google Docs Viewer 579.88 KB
An Adobe Acrobat file Position paper - Class A Foam Download Preceding File Preview in Google Docs Viewer 72.97 KB

Friday, 01 March 2013 12:47

Fire Services Levy (2012)

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The State Government’s newly announced property levy replaces the Insurance based Fire Services Levy as one of the major sources of Fire Services funding, bringing a more equitable system for Victorian property owners. VFBV looks forward to working with the State Government on aspects that affect emergency response, CFA and volunteers.

VFBV is keen to ensure the levy is sufficient to fund the fire services and that it does not inadvertently erode the state’s vital emergency services volunteer resource.

The new property levy, to be collected by local councils along with municipal rates, resolves the inequitable situation where the Fire Services Levy only applied to those who insured their property.

Broadening the tax base will finally see all residents who are the beneficiaries of the fire services contribute to their funding, which will result in an overall reduction in the individual amount paid by each property owner, as opposed to the old levy which only applied to those insuring their properties.

Other benefits of the new system include:

• The removal of the GST and Stamp Duty charged under the old insurance based Fire Services Levy.
• A more favourable treatment of farm properties & primary producers
• Multiple farm land parcels will be valued as single property, reducing the total bill
• The appointment of a monitor to supervise and report on the transition and ensure insurance companies pass on the savings to their customers

VFBV’s concerns include;

• Different rates for MFB and CFA areas which look to only fund the respective service in each area
• The need for all Victorian residents to fairly contribute to the fire protection of the State’s critical infrastructure which sits largely within the Country areas of Victoria; including all of Melbourne’s water catchments, power generators, transmission lines, communications infrastructure and food delivery networks etc.
• No concession for serving emergency service volunteers (VFBV requested this benefit for active volunteers)
• No reward for property owners who act to reduce the risk of fire
• Cost savings generated by the $1 Billion worth of volunteer contribution have not been recognised in comparison to those communities that choose a fully paid model which does not contribute to the state’s surge capacity for protracted and significant incidents such as those of Black Saturday and the recent Storm and Flooding events.

With some details of the property levy and its effects yet to be completely finalised, VFBV welcomes the new property based levy, and will continue to make representations to the State Government on behalf of volunteers.

Copies of our submissions to Government are available below.

Background

Proposed changes to Workplace Occupational Health & Safety Laws are planned for nation-wide implementation from 1 January 2012.

Although many of the proposed changes will only moderately impact on Victoria where current Victorian OH&S Legislation (2007) applies, the key issue for CFA volunteers is the new definition of volunteers as workers. This key change will bring accountability and liability issues that will apply to volunteers and VFBV is pursuing potential changes.

A VFBV State OH&S Reference Panel has been activated; their initial focus has been to develop a submission to Work Safe Australia on the Model Regulations and some Codes of Practice. VFBV’s submissions was lodged in early April.

The VFBV State Panel will continue to define the matters that will be pursed on behalf of CFA volunteers with each District Council asked to form District OH&S forums to provide expert advice.

CFA and VFBV Boards have agreed to form a Joint OH&S Working Party to provide high level guidance to both organisations in the lead up to January 2012 and through the implementation period beyond.

KEY ISSUES RIGHT NOW THAT REQUIRE ACTION

As emergency service supporters and responders, CFA volunteers through their representative body VFBV consider that elements of these draft regulations will place challenges and complexities on their ability to continue to meet their community obligations. Predominant to these community obligations are the volunteer’s legislative obligations to protect life and property, particularly when their constitute the bulk of the CFA’s workforce.

VFBV is resolute in its position that further consideration to arrangements in the WHS Regulations and Codes should be given to ensuring volunteers, and CFA as a predominantly volunteer based emergency service organisation will see amendments, inclusions and exemptions sought that are detailed in our and CFA’s Public Comment submissions.

In its submission, VFBV highlights the required volunteer friendly changes to the Regulations and Codes so their application will not negatively impact on volunteerism, nor mandate obligations, duties and administrative burdens that prevent ESO volunteers from performing their duties and community obligations in a timely and safe manner.

SPECIFICALLY

  • The disincentives to the sustainability of volunteerism represented by the imposition of penalties following possible prosecution (in cases other than willful or gross negligence) VFBV strongly advocates that volunteers do not seek exemption from their obligations or duties , in fact welcome these as part of the service they provide under the legislation, yet consider the imposition of penalty where actions are in good faith when following policies and procedures will have a negative impact on the future of volunteer participation. This must be addressed.

KEY ACTION ITEM
VFBV officials and delegates MUST as a matter of urgency advocate strongly with key decision makers both local and state based to argue the retention of protection for volunteers when this new legislation is enacted. No lesser position is tenable.

VFBV will use all means including a strong media campaign to promote this position.

 

  • The position above follows on from existing Victorian OH&S Legislation and it should be seen that volunteers are expecting nothing less than that which is already provided. National Policy should not detract from but enhance benefits as a key principle.

  • The further burden of complying with obligations and duties upon enactment of the Legislation that will fall on CFA volunteers to meet compliance, training and consultative processes where this may impact on their primary careers, their employers and their ability to dedicate additional time to that already freely given.

  • VFBV strongly maintains that the Victorian Country Fire Authority (CFA) as a unique organisation with a predominant volunteer workforce will need to provide adequate skilled resources to support volunteers (as workers) in their environment, by providing or allocating:

    - Administrative Support
    - Training and assessment services
    - Specialist advice
    - Other targeted support essential to sustain volunteerism and minimise impacts of compliance and duty

  • VFBV strongly recommends that CFA as a predominant volunteer based ESO will need special consideration to implement the arrangements using a staged and transitional approach so as not to negatively impact on volunteers.

  • VFBV considers CFA volunteers currently give their time freely to train, achieve nationally recognized skills and competencies, respond to fires and incidents and commit to work in close partnerships with their communities. Any requirement of further training and consultative process must be flexible and established with arrangements that suit the volunteer, their families and their primary employer. Elements of modern training and assessment methodologies must be employed to provide dynamic and flexible choices.

  • CFA volunteers have current exemption under the Victorian OH&S Legislation (2007) that permits the conduct of competitive drills and competition events that require ascending ladders and platforms under specific clauses that define these activities as sport or athletics. The CFA has maintained a strong tradition for more than 128 years, the ongoing support for their continuance by specific exemption/exception with both generic and dynamic risk assessment processes being applied and tested is seen as benefiting society and the continued strong support for this practice and skill.

VFBV’S State Reference Panel is made up of the following:

Frank Zeigler (Chair) VFBV Board Member
Hans van Hammond AFSM VFBV President
Bruce Pickett AFSM VFBV Board Member
Tony Brown District 8
Greg Murphy District 12
Steve Gibbs District 7
Rohan Stevens District 14
Steve Atkinson District 7
Robert Taylor District 14
Vicki Linaker District 13
Alan Monti VFBV Executive Officer

 

CFA Volunteers are the unpaid professionals of our Emergency Services. VFBV is their united voice, and speaks on behalf of Victoria's 60,000 CFA Volunteers.

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