Issue 14: October 2015

Quick snapshot of the priority issues and actions worked through at the most recent Joint Committee meeting between CFA and VFBV. (Meeting held 30/08/2015)

VICTORIAN YOUNG ACHIEVER AWARDS

CFA has been accepted as a sponsor of the Victorian Young Achiever Awards 2015 in a new category incorporating volunteering. This award will be known as the “CFA Young Volunteer Excellence Award”.

Youth is defined by the Victorian Young Achiever Awards as individuals up to and including twenty-none (29) years of age.

The CFA Young Volunteer Excellence Award aims to acknowledge young volunteers who have made an outstanding voluntary contribution and who, through their volunteering, have positively impacted the lives of others and their community. The award covers all aspects of volunteering including (but not restricted to) youth at risk, the homeless and disadvantaged, emergency services, health, aged care and not for profits.

Nominees are young volunteers who, through their volunteering, have positively impacted the lives of others and their community. The awards were launched on 8 September, and communications was sent to all ACOs, Districts, Field staff and brigades to advise of the award and the nomination criteria. Nominations close Friday 11December 2015, with judging to occur on Wednesday 9March 2016 followed by a gala presentation on Friday 6May 2016.

You can complete an official nomination form by going to www.awardsaustralia.com.au and click on Victoria on the map and choose the Victorian Young Achiever awards from the drop down box.

AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL FIREFIGHTERS CADET CHAMPIONSHIPS

CFA has competed at the ANFC Championships since their inception in 2007. This biennial event is open to junior members of emergency services agencies from across Australia. This year’s Championships are to be held in Myuna Bay, near Lake Macquarie, new South Wales, from 28 September to 1 October.

CFA will be taking three teams of six (6) from across the State between the ages of 14 and 15 years and four endorsed junior leaders, accompanied by three staff members from OT&V.

Whilst results are likely to be known by the time this update goes to press, VFBV wishes all competitors the best of luck, and know they will do Victoria and CFA proud.

AUSTRALASIAN FIREFIGHTERS CHAMPIONSHIP

The National Firefighters Championship was established following the running of the Centenary of Federation Firefighter Championships held at Corowa, NSW in 2001.

The success of this event led to the formation of the Australasian Firefighters Championship committee, which acts as a governing committee for the event.

CFA last hosted the event in 2007 at Lakes Entrance. This year’s event will be hosted by the Echuca Fire Brigade on 23, 24and 25October 2015.

Thirty teams have formally registered to participate including nine teams from Victoria - eight (8) from CFA (Echuca, Euroa, Geelong West, Melton, Ocean Grove, Pyramid Hill, Swan Hill & Werribee) and one from MFB; ten (10) from NSW, three (3) from Tasmania, three (3) from New Zealand, two (2) from Northern Territory, and one each from South Australia, ACT and Fiji.

VFBV wishes all competitors the best of luck and know they will do Victoria and CFA proud.

Issue 14: October 2015

Quick snapshot of the priority issues and actions worked through at the most recent Joint Committee meeting between CFA and VFBV. (Meeting held 30/08/2015)

EMPLOY PERSONAL PROTECTION AT A HAZMAT INCIDENT TRAINING PACKAGE UPDATE

CFA have advised that there are updated Training Materials to reflect the current version of the unit PUAFIR308B – Employ Personal Protection at a hazmat incident. The new packages are all dated June 2015.

In addition to being recognized for the national competency, CFA members will also be awarded the relevant CFA competency; OP SUIT – SPLASH Operate Splash suit, or where members complete the additional optional assessment for the gas suit they will be awarded the CFA competency; OP SUIT – GAS Operate Gas Suit.

It is recognized that some historical records may not record either of the CFA competencies (Splash or Gas) and MTD’s have been requested to identify these members and update their records accordingly.

STRUCTURAL FIREFIGHTING TRAINING PROGRAM

The structural firefighting training program has been developed to address the requirements of urban/structural firefighting and the Public Safety Training Package unit of competency PUAFIR203B Respond to Urban Fire. Two handover sessions were run in March for Structural Instructors.

All the materials have now been released with the title of “Structural Firefighting” to reflect the task being undertaken, rather than the unit of competency associated with the program. All materials have been mapped to the unit PUAFIR203B Respond to Urban Fire, and therefor successful completion of the program will result in a member achieving this competency.

The Structural Firefighting program consists of 11 sessions and a total delivery time of 7½ days. This includes 4½ days of training, 2 days of practical skill development and 1 day of assessment.

Two delivery options have been established to provide flexible options for brigades to undertake this training.

Option 1: Full Course Delivery – where the course is delivered in its entirety.

Option 2: Modularised/block delivery – where the course can be separated into seven (7) course structure blocks that can be scheduled independently. (Though they must be done sequentially)

Courses have been set-up on TRAIN to support both of these delivery options.

Brigades & Groups are encouraged to discuss with MTD’s which of these two options would best suit your members.

RECRUIT PROGRAM & BUSHFIRE SKILLS PROGRAM

The Chief Officer formally approved the new Recruit Program & Bushfire Skills Program in early August.

CFA has advised following approval, work is now underway on the implementation of the two programs and withdrawal of the current Minimum Skills program and associated materials. A State wide Implementation Plan is currently being drafted.

SIMULATION TRAINING

The Committee has raised its concern with the lack of computer simulation training offered to volunteers, with only two programs being delivered to volunteers so far this year. VFBV has requested CFA develop a proactive delivery plan and budget to provide brigades with greater access to this popular and flexible training option.

Issue 14: October 2015

Quick snapshot of the priority issues and actions worked through at the most recent Joint Committee meeting between CFA and VFBV. (Meeting held 28/06/15)

ROLE OF GROUP

The Chief Officer advised that he received advice from an internal working group whom he had tasked with reviewing the Role of Group booklet with a recommendation that distribution proceed.

The Chief has accepted this recommendation, and advises that the Role of Group publication will now be distributed to brigades and groups with a cover letter highlighting the sections of legislation that have changed since the publication was printed.

With the importance of local knowledge at the forefront, the Committee reinforced the need for there to be focussed attention on strengthening the role of groups and building what capability may have been unintentionally lost from the past. The Chief has requested that CFA start preparing briefing and support documents to assist with the dissemination over the next 3 to 4 months.

0.00 BLOOD ALCOHOL FOR CODE 1 EMERGENCY RESPONSE DRIVING

The Chief Officer is writing to DPCs to seek advice on what brigade impacts would arise from the proposed 0.00 BAC policy for code 1 driving.

The Committee has requested the Chief Officer prepare a volunteer impact assessment on the policy to identify the impacts the policy would have on what is effectively a 24/7 on call workforce. The Committee notes advice that VicPol have their own existing arrangements, flexibility and exemptions to cater for Police members who are off duty and recalled, as well as some on call units and have asked for CFA to investigate options for their inclusion in CFA’s proposed policies.

Members are requested to advise your DPC representatives of your brigade’s views and/or impacts so that discussion at the DPC level are informed of grass root feedback and views.

LOW VOLTAGE FUSE REMOVAL

The Chief Officer has supported the re-introduction of Low Voltage Fuse Removal (LVFR) as a core CFA activity supported by adequate funding and training programs.

There has been an ongoing demand from the field to continue this training as it is seen as a vital skill for brigades, particularly for those brigades who are remote from services provided by the electricity suppliers. The Committee has long advocated this position which has largely been driven by the safety considerations of creating a safer work environment for our firefighters by removing the low voltage fuse. To this end, the Chief Officer has proposed an extension to members who currently hold Low Voltage Fuse Removal competencies to ensure members remain current whilst an updated LVFR training package is being finalized, and refresher training programs are rolled out.

The Chief will shortly be writing to OMs and OOs with details of the program and his approval of extension for current competencies.

COMPOSITE STRIKE TEAMS

The Chief has supported the Committee’s request for an “Intent Statement” and guiding principles for those occasions that involve the integration of staff and Volunteers.

Two constant recurring issues that are raised each year has been different local interpretations of crewing requirements of Strike Teams, and the use of Volunteers in Division and Sector Command roles when crews are made up of both Volunteers and staff. The use of AIIMS within CFA makes “Rank” completely invisible, yet local interpretation and practices frequently try to assert rank and pay status back into arrangements, that are contrary to the principles outlined in the Chief Officer’s Capstone and Service Delivery Principles.

The Chief has indicated he intends to make it very clear how integrated teams will work and integrate at all levels of the organisation, and the responsibility of management and key leaders to promote an inclusive working environment.

Issue 14: October 2015

Quick snapshot of the priority issues and actions worked through at the most recent Joint Committee meeting between CFA and VFBV. (Meeting held 18/10/15)

VOLUNTEER CODE OF CONDUCT & CFA VALUES

A considerable amount of work & consultation has been undertaken by CFA in developing the new CFA Values (STAIR – Safety, Together, Adaptive, Integrity and Respect).

CFA has been actively promoting these values through presentations to Brigades, Groups and to Regional/District staff to promote a clear understanding and encourage their active implementation at all levels.

VFBV has agreed to a request by the Chief Officer to consider minor adjustments to the Volunteer Code of Conduct to incorporate the new values that complement the Fire Star Virtues which will be maintained. A draft update will shortly be published to seek volunteer feedback before the changes are formalized.

CFA and VFBV have agreed to use this refresh as an opportunity to remind members and staff of the importance of the volunteer code of conduct, and the corresponding code of conduct for Victorian public sector employees which covers paid staff. Anecdotal evidence continues to suggest that some members struggle in how to “call out bad behaviour” and manage it effectively.

Across all districts a great deal of time is taken up dealing with issues at all levels of the organisation as a result of non-adherence to the Volunteer Code of Conduct, the Employee Code of Conduct & CFA Values. VFBV encourages all brigades to engage with all members to further inform them about the CFA Values, thereby promoting the importance of them living out the values and demonstrating them when dealing with members and issues that they encounter in their roles.

CFA is undertaking similar discussions with its employees including line managers such as OMs and OOs to highlight the importance of leaders demonstrating and living by our new values. Brigades, Groups & VFBV District Councils wishing to arrange a presentation can contact CFA’s Michelle O’Sullivan at HQ for further information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

Volunteerism Coordinators Fiona Martin (District 13) and Terri Johnson (District 22) were tasked with similar projects by their respective Operations Managers – Development of Leadership & Management Skill Development for Volunteers.

The Committee invited and received an update from each as to how their programs were progressing, and discuss scope for wider rollout. Both were able to build on work undertaken previously. Fiona spoke about the program that has been developed for Captains and Lieutenants that can be delivered in “a pipeline” that builds on their experience but uses similar concepts and language. The program is delivered using volunteer facilitators who have been very keen to be involved in developing current and future leaders. Funding has been provided to trial & test the model developed enabling any adjustments to be made before it is rolled out to other Districts. Online options are also being explored.

Kris spoke about the Captains’ Peer Mentoring Program. This program was initiated in District 14 four years ago. 2015 sees the expansion of the program to six districts. Many Captains have reported that they have more concerns about HR management rather than operational concerns, and the program has been built to provide them this support. Very careful pairing of a mentor with a mentoree with close monitoring & support from Operations Officers limits this program to 6 partnerships per District.

It is hoped that the professional development of volunteer leaders in CFA continues to expand, and the volunteer delegates to the committee commend the work thus far undertaken and encourage brigades to be on the lookout for future opportunities as these programs are refined and rolled out on a wider basis. Interested brigades should contact their Catchment Officer to discuss what opportunities there are to bring these programs to your District.

Issue 14: October 2015

A quick snapshot of the priority issues and actions worked through at the most recent Joint Committee meeting between CFA and VFBV. (Meeting held 29/08/15)

VEHICLE WEIGHT CALCULATIONS

Delegates raised concern about conflicting information that has come out from CFA with regards to how to calculate a light vehicle’s weight (FCV/FOV etc).

Some communications has referred to 100kg being calculated for every seat belt/passenger the vehicle is capable of transporting, whereas other documents have quoted 114kg. The Committee agreed that the current CFA standard is to use 100kg for passenger weight calculations, noting that the VicRoads standard is 68kg.

CFA will be requesting AFAC consider a national standard for fire services to use, but in the meantime 100kg will remain the CFA standard. CFA will soon be writing to all OM’s and OO’s advising of the standard, and to ignore any reference to 114kg, which should assist with any queries from the field.

CLASS B FOAM CHANGEOVER

CFA has now authorized funding to change over all Class B foam from the current Tridol brand foam to a fluoro surfactant free type.

This new foam was supported by both the VFBV and UFU through CFA’s Foam Working party. This is the same Class B Foam used by the MFB, and will enable the ban on CFA vehicles carrying class B foam to VEMTC Craigieburn to be lifted.

Whilst fluoro surfactant free type foams do have a slightly reduced performance, the interoperability, environmental and health & safety advantages were determined to outweigh the reduced performance concerns. Changeover of all CFA vehicles (approx. 370) carrying Class B Foam will occur over the next six months, and trucks will be needed by the DMOs for up to 3 days which includes pickup, changeover and delivery back to the brigade.

CFA has advised that updates to foam training materials and info sheets is currently underway in order to support the changeover and educate members on the differences.

WARRANTY UPGRADE TO ALL WATER COOLED BELL UHPS’s

As a result of a number of starter motor faults, a warranty upgrade is being undertaken on all water cooled Bell UHPSs (Ultra High Pressure Systems).

This affects all Medium Tankers built after June 2014 plus any retrofitted 4.4R Heavy Tankers. Work will include the fitment of a cold start “glow plug” functionality; fitting of additional vibration support under the pump to minimize excessive vibrations; extra decaling on the UHPS Control Panel; and an upgrade to the operating manual which will include a single page flyer detailing the work undertaken on the vehicle. By agreement with Bell, the work will occur on site at brigades, and will be undertaken directly by Bell technicians.

The program has started and is hoped to be completed before the start of the FDP. Works takes approx. 2.5hrs per vehicle. Captains should receive 24 hours’ notice of when their vehicle is due for upgrading. Any questions should be directed to your local DMO’s.

MEDIUM TANKER MID PRODUCTION UPDATE

The Medium Tankers have received a mid-production update. These updates are provided to pick up on small incremental improvements which can be accommodated in existing production runs by agreement with the manufacturers.

Included in this year’s update are; a new removable tray under the chainsaw to aid in cleaning the chainsaw locker; the adding of a pinch weld to the top edge of the helmet holders located on the B post stiffener in the cab; the blanket locker has been made higher with a shelf added at the top to allow some storage of drinks and other small items; deck access door catches have been removed from the floor; LED scene lights, spotlights and tray lighting to replace halogen lights and baffle balls are being replaced by baffle bones to better improve the reduction of excessive water movement in the tank.

The largest change is the Hino cab chassis will now be fitted with a 5 speed automatic transmission. This transmission has been tested by CFA with an improved exhaust retardation system to improve the tanker’s handling when descending steep slopes. To support the change in transmission, a train the trainer course is being developed focussing on the new driving aspects. The first refreshed Medium Tanker is expected in early November 2015.

Issue 14: October 2015

A quick snapshot of the priority issues and actions worked through at the most recent Joint Committee meeting between CFA and VFBV. (Meeting held 5/9/15)

VEGETATION CLEARING TOOL

The committee discussed and reviewed the introduction of the ‘Vegetation Clearing Tool’. This tool will be available online at CFA, accessible by the public, to assist with questions about vegetation clearance around domestic properties. The tool will offer clear explanations of the 10.30 and 10.50 rule.

The tool offers a simple step by step process which asks for the postcode, which then identifies the municipality. The next questions identify when the dwelling was built and if it is a replacement dwelling etc. Once this information has been entered, the tool identifies which rule applies, whether a permit is required and what vegetation can be cleared. It is a very user friendly, self-explanatory aid for the public. You can access the tool at www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/vegetation-clearing-tool/

COMMUNITY SAFETY COORDINATOR SURVEY

In order to support members recently voted into Community Safety Coordinator positions, the committee has requested CFA conduct a survey to ascertain from those members, what the transition to this role has involved.

The survey will ask what the challenges were and what the opportunities were? We will be looking to identify what has worked and what has not worked. Also, we will be seeking feedback as to what additional support members in this role would like more of. Some brigades have made this transition easily however, others may need more guidance and support. We would urge brigades to be involved and provide as much feedback and information as possible.

The survey is planned to run well before next year’s election cycles, and will give CFA the opportunity to fine tune and hone exactly what support and resources are needed to assist, in this very valuable role.

WINDFARM POLICY

CFA presented to the committee, the updated version of the “Emergency Management Guidelines for Wind Energy Facilities”, (Windfarm) policy which CFA has developed. It is a comprehensive policy which covers the planning, design and development of wind farm facilities, and advocates close consultation with CFA Region and District Offices, as well as local brigades.

The policy states that facility operators must develop a Bushfire Prevention and Emergency Response Plan in consultation with CFA, DEPI and then proceed to Energy Safe Victoria for final approval. The plan will cover siting, access and water supply. The plan offers awareness and training for emergency services and advocates the operator work closely with CFA including local brigades on issues of fuel/vegetation management.

Operators of facilities are obliged, within three months of commencement of operations, to facilitate a familiarisation visit to the site and explanation of emergency services procedures to CFA and other emergency services. We would encourage brigades to take up familiarisation opportunities and build connections and relationships with operators. You can download a copy of the policy by entering “Windfarm Policy” into the search box on the CFA website, a copy can also be found on the VFBV website.

FIRE SAFETY PLEDGE

The committee was informed of a CFA initiative which will launch an eight week “Fire Safety Pledge” in October through to December. The objectives of the pledge are to encourage the community in the awareness of their own fire risk, to create a way for brigades to engage with the community on fire safety. Members of the public can visit a webpage on the CFA website and can make and share one or two pledges; The Bushfire Safety Pledge and The Home Fire Safety Pledge.

They then encourage, via social media, their friends and family to also take the pledge. Both community members and brigades can participate in this competition and there are prizes available to individual members of the public who make a pledge, and brigades based on votes from the public as to their local brigade. This is an innovative and great opportunity for brigades to engage in fire safety messaging within their communities. You can access the site and see Brigade Leader Boards by going to; www.thefiresafetypledge.com.au

Issue 14: October 2015

A quick snapshot of the priority issues and actions worked through at the most recent Joint Committee meeting between CFA and VFBV. (Meeting held 15/09/2015)

LISTENING SETS

CFA and VFBV through the Joint Communications & Technology Committee and CFA’s Business Services Team have been diligently working on a replacement Listening Set since 2010, and are pleased to announce the commencement of an extensive subsidization program to assist members with their purchase. This is a long awaited outcome for members with the first units available to ship November 1st.

Please refer to the extensive digital Scanner information pack included in our October mail out (and the VFBV website). The “pack” contains a letter, order form (sample completed order form) and FAQs sheet. If you have any queries please contact VFBV on 9886 1141, VFBV will be providing administrative support for the process of orders.

All brigades & groups have 90 days to submit their Tier 1 and Tier 2 orders. Orders are due by January 15, 2016 at the latest. Any scanners left over after this time will be sold. This program would not have been possible without CFA’s support and approval, and VFBV wishes to thank CFA for the establishment and support of the subsidisation program for the benefit of members.

EAS (PAGER) USER REFERENCE PANEL

The committee continues to receive complaints from members regarding the current pagers. The Committee has again requested CFA to discuss with EMV the status of the user group and the desire for it to include good volunteer representation to allow informed decisions about what the new generation pager will look like and how it will operate. CFA has advised it is supportive of the concept and will re-raise the issue with EMV, as it is a multi-agency device and EMV is responsible for its coordination. The Committee is eager to start volunteer consultation early so that consultation will inform the specifications of a future device, instead of simply reacting to what is currently on the market now.

Please inform your State Councillor of your views on what is required in the next generation pager in order to assist the Committee in any preliminary discussions.

ESTA RADIO PATCHING OF DISTRICTS

There has been much confusion relating to ESTA patching District radio dispatch channels and extra radio traffic during some busy periods which has concerned members. Patching is the process used to “merge” multiple District dispatch channels into a temporary single channel so it can be managed by a single ESTA operator. The downside is, every District that has been patched with another now hears all the radio traffic from all those Districts that have been patched together. The committee met with an ESTA representative and discussed members concerns and the impacts linking has on brigades. ESTA have advised they are working on developing new procedures to expedite the “de-linking” of Districts during multiple events, and are also seeking government funding that would reduce ESTA’s reliance on linking, which is directly tied to the number of operators that are on shift.

The Committee is discussing with ESTA the increasing number of false alarm calls being received by brigades who arrive only to find the burn was a registered burn off and is being adequately managed by the land owner. ESTA have advised they are currently refining the operator scripts and questions that ESTA operators will use to interrogate 000 callers to better improve the identification of registered burn offs and avoid responding brigades unnecessarily.

IMPROVEMENTS TO REGISTERED BURNOFF REGISTRATION

The Committee is discussing with ESTA the increasing number of false alarm calls being received by brigades who arrive only to find the burn was a registered burn off and is being adequately managed by the land owner. ESTA have advised they are currently refining the operator scripts and questions that ESTA operators will use to interrogate 000 callers to better improve the identification of registered burn offs and avoid responding brigades unnecessarily.

VFBV welcomes the appointment of former DCO Joe Buffone as CFA’s new Chief Officer, due to take up the role in November.

Mr Buffone is currently the Deputy Commissioner of Risk and Resilience for Emergency Management Victoria (EMV). He has also served as Deputy Emergency Services Commissioner for Victoria, and performed a series of senior roles with CFA in the wake of the 2009 fires and the Victorian floods of 2010-11. He has been a CFA volunteer for more than 15 years.

Joe Buffone will succeed CFA Chief Officer Euan Ferguson. Euan will be remembered as a hands-on Chief Officer, who took up the role in 2010 after 10 years at the head of South Australia's Country Fire Service and led CFA through a time of considerable change, including the effects of the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission and the move towards a more interconnected Emergency Management Sector.

CFA’s Fire Safety Pledge promotion is now open and will run until 3 December 2015.

Brigades are asked to encourage members of the public to visit;  http://thefiresafetypledge.com.au/ and make a simple pledge that they will undertake activities to reduce their risk or better prepare themselves for fire.

It is designed to be an additional and innovative fun way to engage with the community around fire safety this year.

Members making the pledge are invited to nominate their local CFA brigade – there are prizes for the participant, and the Brigade can win up to $1,000 to be used for anything it feels would benefit the brigade and local community.

Brigades are encouraged to promote this campaign by;

• Sharing on Social Media
• Emails by individual Brigade members to families, friends and other contacts
• iPad/Tablet/Laptop stands at CFA Open Days, Ritchies supermarket displays, Bunnings BBQ events or other planned community engagement events
• Engaging local media to write a story
• Engaging key local figures to promote the pledge, such as MPs, Mayors, business leaders or the leaders of sporting/community clubs.

Download the Fire Safety Pledge kit for volunteers here.

This promotion has been supported and endorsed by our Joint VFBV/CFA Community Safety Committee and Brigades are encouraged to take it up at the local level.

So it’s with sadness that I recently learnt of my unsuccessful application for the role of CEO at CFA, and will therefore depart CFA.  This is a matter that I’ve discussed with the Acting Chair, and I believe it’s the right approach at this time.

I have always been proud to tell people I work for the Country Fire Authority and I will look back at my years here as the best in my working career.  I can honestly say that I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to CFA.

The reason I have loved working at CFA has been the people – underpinned primarily by our volunteers - who are at the heart of the organisation. We couldn’t exist without them and this State would be the poorer without the selfless dedication to service displayed each and every day.

It’s been a pleasure to serve you as an Executive Director and more recently as the CEO in the pursuit of our mission.

During my time at CFA, we have endured significant challenges, such as Black Saturday and the subsequent Royal Commission.  We have been the subject of many inquiries and reviews and will continue to be, nevertheless I have been proud to be part of an organisation that’s been able to critically look at itself and find ways to improve and become stronger for the benefit of not only our own people, but for the people of this State.

We have always been, and will continue to be, leaders in our communities and collaborative partners in the emergency services sector more generally, and I am exceedingly proud of our many achievements in the face of the challenges and uncertainty.  Change however is a constant, and I am sure the future will be faced with the same determination and assurance as we have provided in the past.

I want to thank the Executive Leadership Team for their unconditional support, as well as the encouragement and guidance I have received from former Chair Claire Higgins and the CFA Board.  I also want to thank the people with whom I have worked closely, for their loyalty and devotion to service.  I leave CFA with a significant sense of appreciation and fondness.

I will be finishing at CFA on Friday, 6 November.

Job Opportunities with VFBV

VFBV is seeking to appoint a VFBV Policy and Advocacy Officer
and two VFBV Support Officers.

These will be key roles in the small VFBV team.

The two VFBV Support Officers will work in Regional Victoria with VFBV Distirct Councils, brigades and volunteers to facilitate consultation, issue resolution and volunteer engagement.

The VFBV Policy & Advocacy Officer will play a vital role helping VFBV to work with volunteers to research issues, develop our position on key issues and advocate this position to decision makers.

In addition to relevant skills, the successful applicants will need to display a strong understanding of CFA and volunteerism.

Click on the links below to see full details and download position descriptions;

VFBV Policy and Advocacy Officer

VFBV Support Officers

Since the submission date for the Inquiry closed, and following detailed discussion at VFBV State Council in September, VFBV has written to all Victorian Members of Parliament with a summary of our submission to the State Government’s Fire Services Review – see below for a copy of the letter.

The letter includes an introduction to the broader issues and a list of points that volunteers are particularly concerned about.

VFBV has also offered to have volunteer representatives meet with any MPs who would like to discuss the issues or learn more about volunteers’ concerns at the state level or in their local area. 

MPs are invited to call the VFBV office on (03) 9886 1141 if they would like to make contact with their local CFA volunteer delegates.

VFBV'S Letter to all State MPs, dated 28 September 2015

Dear Member

VFBV submission to the State Government’s Fire Services Review

As the association representing CFA volunteers, VFBV has recently made an extensive submission to the Fire Services Review. The VFBV submission and relevant material is available via the VFBV website (visit www.vfbv.com.au) and I encourage you to visit our website to read or download this material, as it explains a number of key matters about which volunteers feel very strongly.

Perceptions about the Review’s focus, process and background context have given rise to significant anxiety amongst Victoria’s volunteers, particularly over a number of principles fundamental to CFA’s future success as a volunteer based organisation.

The key and critical principles that volunteers find essential are the following:

♦ The obligations, duties and aspirations both express and implied in the CFA Volunteer Charter as recognised in the current CFA Act and the maintenance of Section 6 of the Act are fundamental to CFA volunteerism and its success in delivering CFA services to the people of Victoria. Critically, flowing from these and in recognition of the core role volunteers play in Victoria’s emergency management, any decision making that may impact on volunteers at any level of government or its agencies must incorporate volunteers in that process and the effects on volunteer capacity must be a clear, transparent and fair feature of such decision making.

♦ Recognition of the importance that the CFA Board has strong volunteer expertise, knowledge and understanding of CFA volunteerism must continue and the engagement of volunteers through current arrangements for volunteer nomination to and level of representation on the CFA Board as currently provided. These arrangements are central to the engagement and utilisation of volunteer knowledge and experience.

♦ The CFA must have genuine ability and empowerment to govern and manage resource decisions, including internal resource allocation and prioritisation of support to volunteers consistent with its current statutory obligations. This includes the powers of the Chief Officer to determine all operational and related matters free of external interference save from the requirements of the CFA Act as currently set out and the statutory role of the Emergency Management Commissioner.

♦ Active removal of external interference and arrangements (including those affecting CFA, EMV and Government) that impede, or block volunteers from being genuinely involved in decision making on all matters which may impact on them including proposed legislation and the adequacy of resources to enable volunteers to deliver the agreed services. 

♦ The CFA Budget and priorities must be established at a level and grow as required with such spending and resource priorities so as to ensure that volunteers maintain and continue to grow their capacity to provide CFA services to the people of urban and rural Victoria and provide Victoria with a high level surge capacity to deal with emergencies across the state. The determination and order of budget priorities consistent with this must be determined without inappropriate external interference or influence, and consistent with its statutory, governance and administrative accountabilities, obligations and requirements.

♦ CFA Budget priorities must ensure that there is sufficient resourcing to provide volunteers with best possible access to necessary training, up to date facilities and equipment including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), communications and vehicles, legal protection, and appropriate financial compensation for injury, illness and personal loss sustained during service to the people of Victoria.

♦ There must be transparency with regard to the determination, collection and expenditure of the Fire Services Levy (FSL).

♦ The total additional cost of any additional initiatives determined by government and not conforming to the order of CFA determined priorities must be resourced separately by government for the duration of the initiative and must not interfere in any way with CFA meeting its resource priorities for encouraging, maintaining and strengthening the capacity of volunteers to deliver CFA services to Victoria.

♦ CFA high level resourcing priorities must include volunteer support and capacity strengthening, including appropriate expansion of the BASO program, training and skills maintenance including first aid training, leadership development, and provision of EMR services to the public by volunteers, fixing communications problems and cyclic vehicle/appliance replacement.

♦ A culture of respect for volunteers, including ensuring there is no discrimination nor any barriers against volunteers simply because they are not paid. This includes barriers to the roles volunteers perform; access to training for volunteers demonstrating a willingness and capacity for higher level training; or utilisation and acceptance of volunteers’ authority and role in command and control within CFA and the broader emergency services.  There should also be a leadership culture of active intolerance to any discrimination against volunteers based on their volunteer status.

♦ Acceptance that appropriately trained and experienced volunteers can carry out duties of any designation within CFA and Victoria’s emergency management sector and proactive effort to engage their active utilisation in such roles. 

♦ Active encouragement and facilitation of individual volunteers demonstrating a willingness and capacity for high level training and utilisation in command and control and other CFA roles for training, building experience and sustaining qualifications, including for IMTs and the highest levels in incident control.

♦ Government and CFA’s active public and institutional promotion and demonstrated respect for CFA (and other emergency service) volunteers and the essential role they play in Victoria’s safety including advocacy against public attacks made on volunteers.

In summary, volunteers are particularly concerned about:

• Erosion of CFA’s ability to govern, manage resource decisions and allocate appropriate priority to resourcing/supporting the capacity of volunteers to deliver CFA services
• Erosion of the CFA Chief Officer’s statutory powers and operational decision making ability 
• The need to improve consultation with volunteers and/or the representation of volunteer knowledge and expertise at key decision forums in any future arrangements
• Erosion of the obligations, intent and authority of the CFA Volunteer Charter and/or the practical application of the CFA Volunteer Charter
• Any decision making processes at CFA, EMV or Government that impact on volunteers but block volunteers out of the process
• Any cuts to CFA budget relating to volunteer support and volunteer capacity building forced because of the need to pay for externally imposed or new commitments 
• Any failure to fully additionally fund externally imposed or new commitments  for the life of the commitment
• Ensuring adequate investment in resources for training of volunteers and for volunteer equipment, facilities, personal protection, service related injury/illness compensation etc.
• Any diversion of funding raised through the Fire Service Levy and the Government’s related share to other cost areas
• Continuation of industrial agreements that establish power of veto that overrides legitimate CFA decision making or block CFA progressing volunteer support initiatives, resource allocation and CFA organisational structure
• External direction to CFA Board or management that is not transparent, justifiable and consistent with legislation
• Resourcing priorities and funding allocation decisions that ignore more cost effective and reliably beneficial opportunities to encourage, maintain and strengthen the capacity of volunteers to deliver CFA services (specifically referencing section 6i of the CFA Act)
• Any discrimination in the roles volunteers can perform, training opportunities for volunteers or recognition of volunteers’ skills/expertise simply because they are not paid
• Failure to positively advocate the essential nature, benefits and professional capacity of the CFA volunteer based system.

If decisions are made that are not consistent with these principles and concerns, we fear the consequence will be a legacy of diminished emergency management volunteer capacity for Victoria. Our desire and commitment is to work with you towards a positive atmosphere so that volunteers can focus their energy on continuing to provide dedicated services to the community and prepare for the forthcoming summer.

Volunteers want certainty about the real respect and commitment of all key decision makers across Government and institutions to the service they currently provide day and night, every day of the year.

Volunteers want it known that they are committed to the safety of the communities they serve and will strongly resist changes that they feel are not in the best interests of their community.

I am hopeful that you find the VFBV submission to the Fire Services Review and the points outlined above useful to our continuing endeavour to keep all Victorian MPs well informed about matters of fundamental importance to volunteers.

As always I would be more than happy to discuss these matters with you at your convenience.

Yours Sincerely,

Andrew Ford

Chief Executive Officer

<Click here to return to the Fire Services Review Submission page>

UPDATE: Click here for the 18 December Message to Volunteers

VFBV FINAL SUBMISSION  VFBV's LETTER TO MPs

VFBV INITIAL SUBMISSION   VFBV NOTES FOR VOLUNTEERS

WATCH THIS SPACE - The Review's final report and the Government's response have been postponed until after the bushfire season - both are likely to have important ramifications for volunteers everywhere and Brigades should be ready to study them as soon as they become available.

Click on the list below to see VFBV's submission and supporting documents - if you have made submission to the Review and would like to make it available on this page, contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

What is the Fire Services Review?

The Review was set up as a comprehensive review of MFB and CFA – a serious issue for volunteers - and the review was run on a very short time frame.

See the State Government media release here and the Review’s Terms of Reference here. See below for what VFBV had to say on some of the issues.

VFBV's Final Submission to the Fire Services Review

• The Cover Letter to VFBV's Submission
• VFBV's Submission

VFBV's Initial Submission - Dated 14 August 2015

• The Cover Letter to VFBV's Initial Submission
• What we told the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission
• VFBV's submission on the 2009 proposal for the amalgamation of the fire services
• The Jones Report, and the Appendices to the Jones Report
• What VFBV told the Jones Jones Inquiry
• The 2014 VFBV Volunteer Welfare & Efficiency Survey report 
• The Victorian Auditor General's report on the management of emergency services volunteers
• VFBV's media release explained our views on the VAGO Report.
• The 2008 Lewis Report looked into the selection of new Personal Protective Clothing (PPC) for firefighters.
• The Victorian Government Green Paper on the Emergency Services
• VFBV's submission on the Green Paper

Click here to hear ABC774’s on air forum on the Fire Services Review, with Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley, VFBV’s Andrew Ford and the United Firefighters’ Union’s Peter Marshall. The forum went to air on Thursday, 7 April, on Jon Faine’s Conversation Hour.

VFBV Chief Executive Officer Andrew Ford’s Note to Members on the Government’s Response to the Fire Services Review’s recommendations

The Government has now released the Fire Services Review report and probably more importantly the State Government’s response to the report’s recommendations.

Both of these documents are available for download below and also from the Fire Services Review website.  The Fire Services Review website includes copies of all public submissions including VFBV, CFA and EMV submissions.

I think most CFA volunteers will be pleased overall with the Government’s response to the review.  A key theme throughout the review is a recognition of the enormous front line and collective capacity of Victoria’s fire services.  There is a very strong theme of needing to ensure there is a culture and collective respect of the skills, knowledge and professionalism of Victorian firefighters, volunteer and paid staff alike, regardless of pay status.  The report calls to improve leadership and to address a concerning culture that has tolerated; treating people differently based on pay status; bullying and harassment; poor front line worker and management relationships; and a ‘them and us’ approach.

There is a strong call for everyone in the sector to focus more energy on working as one.  There is strong recognition of the need for CFA to have more flexibility in the way it deploys resources to support local brigades and community circumstances, and there is an identified need to improve leadership from agency executive level through to Brigade level and across the sector’s collective leadership.

The review recognises the strengths of the existing fire services and says that effort should be focussed on ensuring the separate fire services share common effort, reduce duplication and work as one.  The report explicitly advises against any contemplation of amalgamating the MFB and CFA, reporting that this would have a negative rather than constructive impact. 

The report acknowledges the extensive and essential capacity of CFA’s volunteer Brigades and the fundamental value of sustaining and building strong integration in those communities where paid staff are required to supplement volunteer capacity.  The report identifies the essential nature of CFA’s volunteer Brigade surge capacity for major and concurrent events.

There are 20 recommendations, and the Government has identified an action to address 18 of these.  Several recommendations are earmarked for further discussion/work and the Government has committed to work with VFBV and others on the detail of these.

Based on some commonly discussed issues during the review, many volunteers will be particularly interested in the following recommendations and government response;

• Recommendation 9, concerning consideration of a Firefighters’ Registration Board – Government response is to initiate national consultation on this over the next five years.  The report detail suggests this would need to be open to volunteers and paid firefighters alike and would provide an opportunity to facilitate lateral entry and recognise skills, irrespective of whether they are paid or volunteer.
• Recommendation 18, concerning deploying Leading Firefighters or Station Officers to provide administrative, technical, community engagement and operational support to volunteer Brigades.  The Government has supported the intent of finding ways to support volunteer Brigades, but has noted the best means to deliver that support requires further consideration.
• Recommendation 17, includes recommendation that CFA review the process for selecting Brigade Captains.  Government response suggests a selection process be developed to enhance the current approach to focus on ensuring the necessary leadership and technical skills needed for the role.  This work has a timeframe of the next two years.
• Recommendation 5, includes developing best practice models for initiation and planning for the establishment of integrated Brigades and the selection of leaders of integrated Brigades, drawing on successful processes adopted to date.  Government response is that CFA is to lead a short review to identify best practices.
• There are also recommendations concerning training; health & wellbeing; developing leadership; and better engagement with volunteers and representative bodies.

VFBV will seek to be very closely involved with work on these and the actions proposed for all other recommendations.

Of interest is an acknowledgement to include VFBV on EMV’s Fire Services Interoperability Committee.  This is consistent with VFBV’s previous requests to EMC Craig Lapsley and also an issue covered in our submission to the review.  VFBV has previously expressed dissatisfaction to the EMC about not being included in this important forum.

There are several recommendations relating to culture in the fire services and issues specifically relating to bullying and harassment.   VFBV has already welcomed the CFA-commissioned Equity and Diversity Review being conducted by VEOHRC.

At a more strategic level, there are recommendations involving consideration of possible future service delivery models, a review of CFA and MFB legislation, and a review of the legislation giving powers to EMV, but no specific direction set down as yet.  VFBV will certainly be taking a keen interest to ensure these important issues progress in a positive way.

See below to download a copy of VFBV’s media release supporting the Government's response, the Fire Services Review report and the Government’s response.

VFBV has supported the Government’s response to the Fire Services Review and commended Minister Garrett for taking the time to make a sensible and considered response.  We have also welcomed the invitation to work with Government on the issues requiring further consideration.    Over all, our reaction to the Government’s response to the review’s recommendations is positive and I believe this provides a good foundation for us to work constructively with Government and the CFA.  I have said publicly, as you will see in our media release, that in the main the Government’s response to the Fire Services Review is on the mark, and for the issues requiring more work, VFBV looks forward to working with Government, the agencies and other stakeholders.

Andrew Ford

Chief Executive Officer

VFBV's submission to the Fire Services Review

Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV) lodged a detailed 48 page submission with the State Government’s Fire Services Review, with considerable contributions from VFBV Delegates and individual volunteers. It was lodged alongside many more submissions from District Councils, Brigades and volunteers.

Our submission drew upon the work we have done on 11 other inquiries and reviews since 2008, including data from the annual VFBV Volunteer Welfare and Efficiency Survey and issues already being raised through VFBV’s extensive consultative networks.

Volunteers noted the Minister’s statements at the time of the announcement of the Review, that an amalgamation of CFA and MFB “is not on the Government’s agenda” and that “Victoria’s fire services and their boundaries will remain intact”.

The covering letter from VFBV and VFBV’s submission to the Review raised a number of issues familiar to volunteers, and there was a detailed summary in the accompanying VFBV Notes for Volunteers – all three documents are available for download below.

FIRE SERVICES REVIEW - UPDATE

The Fire Services Review has been granted a two week extension and will now report to the State Government by 14 October.

The Review team has also announced that they will not publish the submissions received until then.

For more details, see the Fire Services Review website.

The Fiskville inquiry has been extended until 31 March 2016, and a number of additional transcripts from its hearings have just been added to its website (see below).

The Committee’s public hearings will continue through until the end of the year, and will include representatives of CFA, the EPA and WorkSafe.

The hearings will start on Monday 19 October and run until early December.

The Committee has announced it will start by hearing from key experts with knowledge about toxic chemicals and hazardous materials to increase our understanding of the health effects of the pollutants people at Fiskville have been exposed to and their effects on the environment.

You can read transcripts of the Committee’s hearings here, including VFBV CEO Andrew Ford’s evidence to the Committee and newly added transcripts from Ballan Fire Brigade and staff members from Fiskville.

You can see VFBV’s full written submission here.

Click here for the Committee’s website.

Issue 13: July 2015

A quick snapshot of the priority issues and actions worked through at the most recent Joint Committee meeting between CFA and VFBV. (Meeting held 21/06/15)

VOLUNTEERISM STRATEGY

With the Volunteerism Strategy now being endorsed, CFA are planning the next steps to implement the plan. The plan outlines ten key initiatives over the five years and early planning has identified four priority initiatives that have been prioritised by CFA for action commencing in 2015/16.

The four priorities over the first twelve months are:

• Implement improved practical, regional support for volunteerism through a Volunteer Support Model.
• Develop and implement targeted youth programs.
• Establish a grass roots Volunteer Leadership and Management Development Program
• Contribute to emergency services sector wide strategic planning and development of volunteerism.

The committee will be looking for feedback from members as to the progress of these priorities and the difference they are having down to a brigade level.

NATIONAL EMERGENCY MEDAL

The National Emergency Medal presentation events around the state were completed as at the end of June 2015. For those that are still to receive their National Emergency Medals, arrangements are to be made at the local level to have members presented at brigade dinners or other functions. Resources that were used at the larger events, will be made available to brigades and districts for further presentations.

BRIGADE MANAGEMENT TEAM WORKSHOPS

The committee was given a presentation on the available brigade management team workshops available to brigades. The committee believes that there is still some work to be done in regard to promoting these workshops and defining their benefits to brigades, especially against other opportunities that are out there for brigades.

VOLUNTEER EXIT SURVEY

The results of the latest Volunteer Exit Survey were presented to the committee, with very similar findings to the last exit survey. However, the results are very limited due to the small number of respondents to the survey. CFA are looking at ways to improve the response rate and the committee put forward several suggestions to improve this to ensure that results in the future are meaningful and can be used effectively.

HONOURS & AWARDS NOMINATORS GUIDE

Committee members were sent a draft copy of the Honours and Awards Nominators Guide to review, which has been developed in consultation with a volunteer reference panel. The guide will be in print by the time this update goes to press. The new guide will eventually be added to the Honours and Awards Manual. The nominators guide is designed to assist brigades in applying for awards and provides some guidance on the kind of information nominators should be seeking and investigating when considering someone for an award. Pleasingly, since the Honours and Awards Manual has been published, there has been a noticeable increase in nominations for awards to recognise volunteers.

Issue 13: July 2015

Quick snapshot of the priority issues and actions worked through at the most recent Joint Committee meeting between CFA and VFBV. (Meeting held 21/06/15)

DRIVER TRAINING

Further progress has been made, with VicRoads confirming that CFA is well placed to establish an internal training and assessment process that would be recognized by VicRoads in the attainment of truck licenses for members. Initial scoping has indicated that existing CFA Driver Instructors (vol and staff) would only need to attain two additional competencies to align them with VicRoads requirements. CFA is now scoping a pilot program, and will also pilot five external providers to provide State coverage during the evaluation.

BA HELMET DECALS

The Committee requested an update on where CFA was at with helmet markings to indicate if members were qualified in Breathing Apparatus. With the introduction of a 2 stream process for BA attainment, one for external use, and a more complex one for internal attack and search & rescue, there is confusion around which level of competency a member holds when they are displaying the “BA” decal on their helmet.

A pilot has been running for some time in District 13 who are trialling new helmet markings, and CFA have advised results from that pilot will not be finalized until September. The Committee has indicated this appears to be a very long time for what appears to be quite a simple issue, and has requested if the evaluation can be finished earlier to enable a decision to be made ASAP.

VOLUNTEER TRAINERS & ASSESSORS

The Committee has requested a regular report broken down by District & Region, of how many individual volunteers have been endorsed as trainers and assessors, along with which courses, and an indication of how often they actually get used. Following continual complaints received from volunteers that they cannot access formal competency training and cancellation of courses due to no available instructors or long term instructor vacancies, it is hoped regular reporting will provide transparency as to which Districts have established a sufficient pool of volunteer trainers and assessors to meet the increasing demand and assist with promoting best practice.

FIRST AID TRAINING

Limits on the number of volunteers being trained in First Aid still constitute an unresolved issue, and VFBV has made a direct request to CFA for an update on any progress.

The issue persists in spite of the Chief Officer’s ‘maximum density model’ being promoted in CFA’s reporting on its implementation of Jones Inquiry recommendations and an indication at the Benalla Open Forum last year that a funding proposal supporting that model was close to being resolved.

We are still receiving complaints from volunteer Brigades that they are limited in the number of members who can be trained in First Aid and in some Districts, CFA is sending invoices to Brigades for training members in First Aid above their current BOSP targets.

VFBV presented CFA with a detailed official position paper on First Aid in 2010, calling for the removal of barriers to First Aid training, Recognition of Prior Learning for those already well qualified, and First Aid training to be made available for every operational volunteer who is willing to undertake it and non-operational volunteers who need it under OH&S requirements. A copy of the VFBV First Aid Position Paper is available in the Library section of the VFBV website

Issue 13: July 2015

A quick snapshot of the priority issues and actions worked through at the most recent Joint Committee meeting between CFA and VFBV. (Meeting held 28/06/15)

EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESPONSE (EMR)

The Committee received an update on the proposed expansion of EMR within CFA. Whilst the Government’s $5 million dollar announcement to expand EMR to CFA’s 33 integrated brigades is welcome, the committee expressed its disappointment that funding was only provided for those locations. Considering Ambulance Victoria nominated 32 high priority locations for inclusion in year 1 of expansion of EMR services, and that 12 of those 32 priority locations are communities served by fully volunteer Brigades, the committee has requested CFA continue to advocate for EMR’s expansion to more volunteer brigades.

The Committee has also expressed alarm that the $5M funding provided for the expansion appears to be significantly less than what CFA has estimated it will actually cost to roll-out to the integrated locations, and the Committee has requested clarification from CFA on if there is a funding shortfall – where will the money be diverted from to finish the rollout.

Delegates have also sought CFA’s assurance that any expansion of EMR to CFA integrated locations will also be inclusive of volunteers and provide them the opportunity to be involved should they wish, consistent with CFA’s existing service delivery model with services being delivered in a fully integrated manner.

VOLUNTEER UTILIZATION IN IMTs AND SPECIALIST RESPONSE

The Chief Officer has recommitted to investigating what more can be done to provide opportunities for volunteers to train in specialist response and Incident Management Team roles.

CFA has agreed to report on current numbers of volunteers trained in these roles, and how often they have actually been used. Given the significant time impost volunteers give to gain these competencies not only in acquisition but also in skills maintenance, it is imperative that members be provided more proactive opportunities to actually use those skills, and not simply overlooked as current systems and processes inevitably do.

The Chief will shortly be writing to all District Planning Committees to ascertain from OM’s and senior volunteers what current opportunities are in place for volunteers to gain & use these skills, and investigate any barriers or disincentives with a view to removing or fixing them.

ROLE OF GROUP

Members will be relieved to learn that the Chief Officer has assured the Committee he remains committed to completing the role of group review, and has re-affirmed his support and desire to see the work & progress which has been undertaken over the last couple of years, finished.

Whilst acknowledging minor issues with changes of legislation that were referred to in the current role of group publication, that has not yet been distributed, his view is that these were only minor and he still supported all key aspects of the review. The Committee was advised that an update to the publication was being reviewed, and he would meet with the working party to progress ASAP.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

The Committee was delighted that the Chief Officer resumed his role as Chair of this Committee, and has committed to chairing the committee from here on in, with all his Deputy Chief Officers also in attendance to provide the Committee much greater support and prominence.

A review of the Committee’s terms of reference is currently underway to support these changes, and the Committee expressed its appreciation for the Chiefs renewed support and enthusiasm. As one of the key bodies to provide the Chief Officer with formal input and advice direct from volunteers, the Committee is seen as a vital link between CFA and VFBV in exercising CFA’s obligations to volunteers under the volunteer charter.

Issue 13: July 2015

A quick snapshot of the priority issues and actions worked through at the most recent Joint Committee meeting between CFA and VFBV. (Meeting held 28/06/15)

VOLUNTEER LOSS OF INCOME COMPENSATION FOR OVER 65s

A recent injury on the fire ground which resulted in a volunteer member over the age of 65 years being hospitalized and unable to work and thereby suffering a loss of income, highlighted a matter of serious concern to VFBV. An interpretation of CFA regulations that is linked to the Workers Compensation Act resulted in the claim initially being rejected by CFA as the member was over the age of 65 and therefore deemed to be of retirement age.

An active campaign was conducted by the District 23 VFBV District Council & VFBV State in support of the members claim. As a result, CFA has subsequently reversed its decision and provided the full income compensation claimed, back to the date of the incident.

CFA has recognised that this matter is of very high importance to the organisation and its volunteers and as requested by VFBV are now commencing the process of implementing the necessary legislative changes to ensure that this situation is not open to interpretation in the future, thereby providing confidence to volunteers who continue to work past the age of 65. VFBV has requested that CFA base their legislative amendments on the Western Australian model which recently made changes to their own legislation to ensure volunteers working past the age of 65 were covered for loss of income.

DISTRICT OH&S COMMITTEE REPORTING

Most Districts / Regions have an OH&S committee which regularly meets to discuss issues of concern within the District or Region. It is apparent to the State Committee that much of this information is not compiled at a central point to help identify state wide issues of concern as well as trends and best practices etc. The Joint Committee has requested CFA look to start collating information fed into the District Committees and bring it together to enable a more holistic view of OH&S issues across the state.

FISKVILLE PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY RECOMMENDATIONS

The Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry Interim Report into the CFA Training Ground at Fiskville was handed down on the 24 June, and announced three interim recommendations. The only recommendation to directly impact on volunteers is recommendation (2) which requests the Department of Health assess the feasibility of providing free voluntary testing for PFOS to a number of groups including volunteers.

As the Inquiry as heard, PFOS is also found in everyday products like makeup and non-stick cookware, and thus the opinion of scientists has been that most people will have levels of PFOS in their system. In order to provide a higher degree of confidence to volunteers who may wish to have their PFOS levels checked, and to contextualize the results, VFBV has requested CFA advocate for the inclusion of a non-CFA family member or householder be provided free testing also, in order for volunteers to compare their levels with someone in their own household that will act as a control group. The inquiry also heard evidence that the testing of all CFA Fiskville based staff has been completed, and none have returned high or abnormal results.

VFBV VOLUNTEER WELFARE & EFFICIENCY SURVEY

This year’s volunteer welfare & efficiency survey opened on 13th July. Once again this survey provides CFA Volunteers with a great opportunity to provide honest feedback on how they perceive both the importance and the performance of CFA on six key themes. The results of this survey have a very high level of credibility within CFA, the Emergency Services Sector and with Government. Please do not leave it to others to speak on your behalf. Sign up now by going to www.vfbv.com.au and encourage others in your Brigade/ Group to also sign up to receive the survey electronically. It only takes approximately 15 minutes to complete this very important task. If you prefer a hard copy please contact the VFBV Office: Ph - 03 9886 1141. The survey closes on the 31st August.

Issue 13: July 2015

A quick snapshot of the priority issues and actions worked through at the most recent Joint Committee meeting between CFA and VFBV. (Meeting held 20/06/15)

2015 PROTOTYPE HEAVY TANKER

The Prototype Heavy Tanker has now finished its roadshow around the State, and travelled 11,000 kilometres visiting 95 locations across every CFA District, and was viewed by, in excess of 1,200 CFA members. The Committee is greatly appreciative of CFA’s agreement to the roadshow, which follows the successful road show of the Medium Pumper – both of which demonstrate the high level of interest and passion our members have for CFA vehicles, and the valuable contribution members can have in their future design.

The Committee has received the first draft of feedback, and will be provided full details from the questionnaire that accompanied the Tanker out of session. Initial feedback indicates a high degree of satisfaction with the cabin and cab chassis, but quite poor satisfaction with the equipment and stowage layout, including the rear deck area.

The Committee has requested improved operational input into CFA’s design team, in order to provide more practical advice into the design and layout. Driver evaluation from experienced personnel has also highlighted the need for dedicated and in-depth driver training to support members transitioning from older vehicles, especially those new to automated manual transmissions, which bring their own idiosyncrasies at lower speeds or steep terrain, which members will need to be trained for.

BRIGADE OWNED VEHICLE INSURANCE UPDATE

Following VFBV’s request for CFA to review and provide greater support to brigades in its insurance arrangements for brigade owned vehicles, significant progress has been achieved.

CFA has agreed to VFBV’s request for Brigades to be covered for the gap between the pre-accident value (PAV) used to insure the vehicle, and the final cost to the brigade in having the vehicle replaced. Included in the new arrangements are instant cover for all new vehicles which will see new for old applied to all vehicles up to 24 months of age. (Doubling the existing arrangement which only ran for 12 months).

For older vehicles, an annual provision has been established under the Volunteer Emergency Service Equipment Program to cover any gap between the PAV and the final cost to the Brigade for any like for like replacement of written off BOV’s. These arrangements should provide Brigades with a much higher degree of confidence that any damages sustained to vehicles will be covered, and will not result in brigades being any worse off in the case of a major accident either on or off the fire ground.

TANKER MICROPHONE NOISE

Earlier in the year, the committee requested Fleet Services investigate the high number of complaints being received from brigades re the performance of ROPS intercoms, prevalent in most single cab chassis tankers. After investigations, a new intercom filter is now available that will help prevent some of the microphone noise when the intercoms are being used. These are now available through the DMO’S. Brigade’s need to ensure that they are reporting any faults or issues with the intercoms to the DMO’s so that they can undertake the appropriate fixes.

NEW – SEAT BELT INHIBITOR CLIPS

A seat belt inhibitor clip has now been approved, and is available through CFA. The clip is designed to stop the seat belt from retracting when a person gets in and out of a vehicle as is common when traversing bush tracks and terrain. The clips are only to be used for off-road situations, and prevents circumstances when a vehicle is on steep terrain and the person gets out of the vehicle, and when they return the seat belt locks itself in place and cannot be drawn to put back on. It has been ascertained that the fitting of these clips will in no way affect the integrity or locking mechanism of the seat belt.

Issue 13: July 2015

A quick snapshot of the priority issues and actions worked through at the most recent Joint Committee meeting between CFA and VFBV. (Meeting held 27/06/15)

CFA-SES COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND HAZARD AWARENESS FORUM

The joint CFA-SES community engagement forum being held at Novotel Forest Resort at Creswick on 1st and 2nd of August, 2015, has received very positive responses, with 380 members from 200 brigades attending. Some of these attendees come from brigades who are yet to elect a Community Safety Co-ordinator, so this shows a great deal of enthusiasm for the role and the forum.

Participants will hear from experts from across the sector on many aspects of engaging with and education of communities. They will also have the opportunity to showcase their own ideas and initiatives and network with other brigades. The Committee commends this annual forum to you, and highly recommends any brigades who have not attended one in the past, to consider attending in future years. The event is supported by a dedicated volunteer reference group, along with very supportive CFA staff who make this special event a success each year.

PLANNED BURNS - TRAINING

The Committee discussed and reviewed the proposed new training in planned burns and in particular Burn Controller training. The course being piloted has been reduced from 5 days to 2 days and is much more “hands on”, running through exercises, participating in teams as both controllers and crew. Throughout the exercises, members will be coached and observed in the team environment and as individuals. At the completion of the exercise, they will complete a short written test. Early feedback has been very positive, and the committee will continue to monitor how well the course is accepted in the field, and monitor its availability to ensure it is held at times and places convenient to volunteers.

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES REPORTING TOOL APP

Following up from the last 2 minute briefing, the committee received an update on the app for smartphones and tablets, which accesses the Brigades Online portal “Brigades Events & Activity Reporting Tool”.

The tool enables members to report community safety activities undertaken by their brigade. Based on recent feedback, the app has been simplified from 15 steps to just six questions that are now a simple “tick the box” process. The steps include; the event title, time and date of the event, the key focus of the event i.e. sausage sizzle, how the brigade promoted the event and the last step is uploading a photo. This information is then uploaded to Brigades Online. All of this information is available to all brigades and is an opportunity to see what other brigades and other districts across the state are doing in relation to community safety.

BEEKEEPERS GUIDE

After consultation with the committee, CFA has produced an updated version of a guide for beekeepers with information and advice on what they can and can’t do during Fire Danger periods and days of Total Fire Ban.

The guide has been developed based on the high number of enquiries brigades often receive during the Fire Danger period from bee keepers, and assists brigades and the community in understanding and interpreting the regulations for this unique sector. The guide lists Section 34A of the CFA act and explains the legislation and permit requirements in simple, easy to understand language. The guide also offers helpful advice on managing flammable material around their bee colonies, vegetation control, bee smokers and other safety issues. Brigades with active bee hives in their areas are encouraged to have a copy in their trucks for easy reference should you be called to investigate activities during the FDP.

IFMP

The Committee continues to advocate on the need for CFA to review its Integrated Fire Management Planning processes and policies in order to ensure volunteers and brigades are engaged in the process. CFA has committed to progressing.

Issue 13: July 2015

A quick snapshot of the priority issues and actions worked through at the most recent Joint Committee meeting between CFA and VFBV. (Meeting held 27/06/15)

LISTENING SETS

Significant progress has been made with the selection of a Phase 2 Digital Listening set. CFA completed its Technical evaluation in early May, and advised the Listening Set Working Party that only one set successfully passed CFA’s technical requirements. That set was posted to all members of the Listening Set Working party on the 7th May for field testing. Detailed feedback was collected from each of the volunteers participating in the Listening Set Working party, and was received by CFA on the 27 May.

On the 12th June, CFA consolidated all individual working party feedback and evaluation comments, and provided a detailed User Feedback document to the working party for review. A finalised feedback document was provided and endorsed on the 23rd June, and provided to the supplier for discussion, along with recommended improvements. Overall, feedback from both the CFA Technical evaluation and the volunteer field trials was positive, with the majority of feedback indicating the selected unit either met expectations or was above expectations. The strongest criticism of the working party was, given the numerous and large range of options and abilities of the scanner, that the manufacturer be requested to provide a CFA default configuration out of the box – so members would not have to fully configure the device themselves. CFA has informed the working party that the manufacturer/supplier has agreed to provide a CFA configuration out of the box, including a CFA tailored user guide/tip sheet.

In early July, CFA informed VFBV that it had completed contract negotiations with the supplier, and was satisfied with the supplier’s responses to both the CFA technical evaluation findings and the working party findings.

As at the date of this update, CFA and VFBV are currently discussing the distribution process, with VFBV having submitted its preferred distribution model to CFA for consideration. The preferred model agreed to at June’s State Council meeting is a model that would provide every Brigade with an opportunity to purchase an equal guaranteed number of sets with a full subsidy cost, and then provide Brigades with a priority list for orders above what the subsidy program can provide, and to equally redistribute unwanted sets from those brigades that may choose not to take up their full allotment.

Full details of the subsidy program, unit costs and the distribution process is expected to be announced by CFA in the next two weeks, and a joint communique is currently being prepared that will explain the program and ordering process. The program is expected to be in full swing, well prior to this year’s fire season, and we will keep members apprised as we learn more. VFBV has offered to provide increased logistics and administrative support to offset the higher workload we believe is required to run the distribution program as equitably as possible, ensuring all brigades are provided fair and equal opportunity to avail themselves of the reduced cost units through the subsidy program, and ensure no brigades are disadvantaged by remoteness or access to electronic ordering systems.

ANALOGUE CHANNEL DEACTIVATIONS

The Committee has become aware of an increasing number of analogue channel deactivations, and expressed its frustration and disappointment to CFA that these were occurring, despite an agreement with CFA that it would not decommission analogue services until analogue listening sets had been replaced.

CFA representatives explained that the analogue services being decommissioned where operationally required in order to provide increased digital capacity in the network, and was not being done prior to District Operations Managers signally their approval.

Committee members were advised that it was the OM’s responsibility to conduct local consultation prior to providing their approval of the deactivations. Members are therefore advised that should you have concerns with analogue channels being decommissioned prior to listening sets being replaced, you should proactively discuss those concerns with your OM so they are aware of your concerns prior to approving the channel deactivation.

More than 2,500 volunteers have taken the 2015 VFBV Volunteer Welfare & Efficiency Survey and the new VICSES version of the survey this year.

Volunteers’ responses are being studied for the survey report, which will go to VFBV and CFA Boards, CFA’s senior management, VICSES, the Emergency Management Commissioner and the Minister for Emergency Services.

You can see the 2014 report at www.vfbv.com.au

Each year’s results are compared with previous years' figures to show trends in how volunteers feel on each issue.

It is a co-operative process; VFBV and the CFA Board studied the first three years' results and continue to use the survey to highlight aspects of volunteer support that need attention.

The annual survey is making your association’s representation more effective and giving every volunteer the chance to be heard.

You can sign up for the 2016 survey by sending your name, Brigade/Unit and District or Region to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or request a posted survey on paper by calling (03) 9886 1141.

UPDATED 14 SEPTEMBER; There's good news from Queensland on presumptive legislation – the Firefighters' Cancer Law - a Queensland Parliamentary Committee has recommended legislation that treats paid and volunteer firefighters equally, and names the same 12 cancers and years-of-service requirements that appear in other States’ legislation.

The Queensland Parliamentary Committee had been tasked with comparing two different versions of presumptive legislation, one from the Queensland Labor Government, the other supported by the Coalition.

Queensland Labor’s Bill includes a discriminatory extra requirement that volunteers show 150 exposure incidents before they qualify for compensation, while the Coalition-supported Bill treats career and volunteer firefighters equally.  The two Bills are expected to go to a vote in the Queensland Parliament soon, possibly in a matter of days.

VFBV’s submission to the Parliamentary Committee called for legislation treating career and volunteer firefighters equally while listing the same 12 cancers and years-of-service requirements used in the Commonwealth and other States’ legislation.

The United Firefighters’ Union’s submission called for volunteers to show “a specified minimum of exposure incidents (150)”, but no such requirement for the staff working alongside them.

The UFU submission is surprising and disappointing because VFBV and UFU have been pursuing a joint campaign in Victoria since 2012 to ensure all Victorian career and volunteer firefighters are provided with access to their rightful entitlements in the event that they contract cancer, and VFBV will follow up this issue with UFU Secretary Peter Marshall.

VFBV urged the Queensland Committee to follow South Australia’s lead, where experience shows the actual cost of treating volunteers equally is a tiny fraction of the estimates made before the legislation was enacted, and the discriminatory extra requirement that volunteers show 150 exposures has now been dropped.

Click here to see the Queensland announcement on the Rural Fire Brigades Association of Queensland (RFBAQ) website.

Click here to see VFBV's recent media release, explaining presumptive legisaltion and the importance of treating paid and volunteer firefighters equally.

23 to 25 October at Echuca

Meet the teams and our sponsors here

The Australasian Firefighters Championships celebrates more than a decade of competition and celebration of fire ground skills.  The 2015 Australasian Firefighters Championships will be hosted by the Country Fire Authority and held 23 to 25 October at Echuca, with 30 teams from Australian States & Territories, New Zealand & Fiji competing in 10 championship events.

The Australasian Firefighter Championships are a biannual event governed by a Championship Committee, the membership drawn from two representatives of each public fire agency and related associations across Australasia. The next scheduled Australasian Championships would be conducted in the spring of 2017.

In 2003, the inaugural National Firefighters Championship, encompassing teams from each Australian State and Territory as well as New Zealand, was held in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales.  The biennial event was subsequently hosted by Queensland on the Gold Coast in 2005 and again in Lakes Entrance, Victoria in 2007.  In 2009, the event was been re-branded as the “Australasian Firefighter Championships” and hosted by New Zealand for the first time in Rotorua.

In 2011 the event returned to New South Wales in Port Macquarie, and in 2013 the Championships was hosted by Tasmania at Launceston.

The embryo for the current Australasian Firefighter Championships had its beginnings with the Centenary of Federation Firefighter Championships held in Corowa, NSW in 2001. Firefighters have competed in interstate and trans-Tasman competitions since 1876. So successful was the Corowa 2001 event that the concept of biannual National Championships gained momentum with the formation of a National Firefighter Championships Committee formed from member fire agencies and related associations. In 2009, the acceptance of teams from the New Zealand Fire Service and their hosting of the event saw the re-branding to the Australasian Firefighter Championships.

CFA invites you as a new Member to complete the online induction at www.cfa.vic.gov.au/induction

The induction program takes about an hour and will assist you with:

• becoming familiar with CFA, our structure, vision, mission and values;
• learning about our past, present and future;
• understanding potential hazards volunteers can face and the support available to members; and
• recognising the importance of your role.

Thank you for your commitment. We hope your experience with CFA will be a long and rewarding one.

If you have any questions, please contact Volunteerism on 1800 232 636 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Queensland’s gain is our loss, ACO for CFA’s North West Region Mike Wassing has been appointed as the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service’s new Deputy Commissioner (Emergency Service Volunteers.

Mike will be sorely missed, and we wish him all the best in his new role.

Mike is one of three successful applicants for QFES Deputy Commissioner roles, from a field of nearly 80 senior emergency services managers from around the world.

CFA has issued two new Operations Bulletins and an updated index of Operations Bulletins.

The new bulletins are;

• 003/2015 Mercury Incident, and
• 004/2015 Light Tankers built from 2009 onwards, Medium and Heavy Tankers (excluding the 4.4RS) built from 2012 onwards and some specialist support vehicles can potentially cause fires in fire dry fuels when performing a diesel particulate burn whilst stationary

You can download the Operations Bulletins and the Index below.

Attention: CFA Volunteers

The open letter from Minister Jane Garrett (below) was received by VFBV this afternoon for circulation to our volunteer communications networks.

Please assist by forwarding the Ministers open letter to fellow CFA volunteers.

In addition to the Ministers invitation for submissions by members of the public and CFA Brigades, VFBV will make a detailed submission. VFBV District Councils are already in the process of facilitating as much discussion as possible within the timeframe provided by the review.  

I encourage your active input to VFBV discussion and/or direct input to the Fire Services Review via details provided in the Minister’s Open Letter (attached).   David O’Byrne has advised that submissions can be made on a confidential basis and I encourage volunteers to provide input no matter how brief or detailed. 

Andrew Ford

Chief Executive Officer

Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria

A message from Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett to Victoria's volunteer firefighters

The work you do as CFA volunteers makes a vital contribution to keeping our state safe.

You have Victoria's enduring thanks for the countless times you have protected lives and property in the face of natural disasters.

As you know, the Andrews Labor Government has commissioned a review into Victoria's firefighting services. This will ensure Victoria maintains its world-class fire services.

Some people think this review is designed to amalgamate the CFA and the MFB.

I'm writing to you to assure you that this is not the case and that this idea is not on the government's agenda.

Victoria’s fire services and their boundaries will remain intact.

The review will focus on major issues facing fire agencies. This includes identifying the support volunteer brigades require to remain viable into the future.

As part of this, the reviewer Mr David O'Byrne is talking to people across our fires services community, including Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria.

Members of the public, including volunteer brigades can make submissions via the dedicated Fire Services Review webpage: https://myviews.justice.vic.gov.au/fireservicesreview or in writing to the Fire Services Review, Level 30, 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000.

Submissions will be taken until the 31st of August as the review is due to be finalised before the beginning of the fire season.

If you have any queries in relation to the review, please contact the review secretariat at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Click here to return to VFBV's Fire Services Review page

VFBV MEDIA RELEASE Thursday, 13 August 2015

The CFA volunteers’ association says 202 CFA Brigades are about to get great news about brand new fire trucks and equipment from this year’s Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP).

Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV) CEO Andrew Ford said news of the successful grants was announced this morning by the Minister for Emergency Services, the Hon Jane Garrett MLA.

“VESEP is a great program, this year over 200 CFA Brigades across the state will receive a share of $7.1 million in funding,” Mr Ford said.

“In addition, there was $1.9 million approved for other initiatives including funding for cold climate gear designed for volunteers attending callouts like road accidents and searches in inclement weather, where the CFA volunteers’ familiar yellow overalls don’t provide sufficient protection from the rain or cold,” he said.

“VESEP is really popular with CFA volunteers; we helped to design it, so it is low on paperwork and lets the Brigade pick from a list of trucks, equipment and fire station improvements that they can put to work for their local community”.

“The grants reward the countless hours volunteers spend in their communities raising funds for life saving equipment, and match local fundraising two for one, so a Brigade can apply for anything from a few hundred dollars for a chainsaw to $100,000 for a fire truck or specialist vehicle,” he said.

“The Brigade can choose a vehicle, operational gear, training equipment or a building project that suits their fundraising capacity and serves the local community’s needs,” Mr Ford said.

VESEP grants fund a wide range of useful projects and gear for CFA Brigades, including;

- Operational gear, such as chainsaws, pumps and generators,

- Vehicles and appliances, such as Field Command Vehicles, fire trucks and rescue trucks, and

- Improvements to fire stations, such as refurbishments like training and meeting rooms.

The $12 million VESEP program is also open to local volunteer groups from organisations including the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard (AVCG), Life Saving Victoria (LSV), Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES).

“VESEP is a good example of how involving front line volunteers from the design stage of a program can make it a success that adds to the ability of local Brigades and other emergency units to protect the community,” Mr Ford said.

VFBV urges local Brigades to think about a VESEP application for next year, and provides useful tips and case studies in the VFBV VESEP Application Support Toolkit available online at www.vfbv.com.au to help with local Brigades’ applications.

CFA Brigades protect 60% of suburban Melbourne, regional cities and all of country Victoria, every day and night of the year.

NOTE TO BRIGADES - Considering applying for a VESEP grant in a future funding round?  Click here for VFBV's useful tips and case studies from past successful applications to show you how it's done.

Thursday 27^th August 2015

Creating Champions of Change for Gender Equity

This session is a special breakfast event, open to men and women from emergency services and sporting associations.

Guest speakers are the Hon. Jane Garrett, Minister for Emergency Services and Matt Finnis, CEO of St Kilda Football Club.

To attend, register at http://www.trybooking.com/IOPU

See attached flyer for details and sign up now and/or please forward onto your friends, family and networks.

Think about the volunteers you look up to; the volunteers you admire the most. The ones who have given distinguished service to CFA, volunteers and the community.

The Australian Fire Services Medal is worthy recognition for those special volunteers, and reflects well on their Brigade and all CFA volunteers.

CFA is now gathering nominations for the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) for the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2016.

Nominations must be in by 1 November 2015.

All volunteers, auxiliary members and full-time staff of CFA are eligible for the medal. The Australian Fire Service Medal is not reserved for senior officers – it is open to all levels of CFA.

The sole criterion for the award of the Australian Fire Service Medal is distinguished service.

“Distinguished service” includes service that is above and beyond the normal zealous and faithful discharge of normal or ordinary service, whether short term or prolonged. It could be a special achievement or success in the performance of duty in difficult or unusual circumstances, or sustained high-level performance with outcomes and recognisable benefits to CFA, the fire service in general or the community. The service must be exceptional. Long service should not be used as a basis for making nominations.

See below to download the AFSM Nomination Form, the Nominator’s Guide and the Nomination Guidelines.

The Fire Services Review has attracted a number of stories and comments in the media;

Herald Sun - Tuesday, 11 August 2015 - Volunteer Fireys Fear Divide

The Age, Letters Page - Wednesday, 12 August 2015 - Firing up the CFA

Click here to return to the Fire Services Review page

The VFBV Annual General Meeting will take place on Sunday, 13 September 2015, from 2 pm.

The venue is TabcorpPark, Melton (2 Ferris Road, Melton South).

CFA Chief Officer Euan Ferguson AFSM will officially open the AGM.

To awith catering and other arrangements, please book your place by Friday, 28 August, by calling the VFBV office on (03) 9886 1141 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) and Parks Victoria (PV) are searching for skilled, fit and healthy people to become firefighters this year.

They employ field based seasonal firefighters to assist with planned burning and the prevention and suppression of bushfires in parks and forests.

Training will be provided and positions are open to those who:

• Have a high level of fitness.
• Are a team player.
• Hold a current manual driver's licence.

Positions available (generally between November and April) for a period of 18 to 26 weeks include:

• Firefighters (includes positions designated for Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people)
• Fire Support officers
• Rappel and hover exit crews

Salaries commence from $842.22 per week plus superannuation.

Applications for the 2015-16 season close Sunday 30 August 2015.

Check out their employment page here

The VFBV District 27 Council will meet on 10 September.

Pictured with VFBV State President Hans van Hamond AFSM (left) are; District 27 President Lance King, Secretary/Treasurer Di Billingsley, Vice President Brendan Jenkins, State Councillor David Farmer, Vice President Brendan Jenkins, State Councillor Pat Quinn and (behind) CFA Operations Manager Bill Johnstone.

Brigades and Groups that attended the inaugural meeting of the new District Council in July were; Boolarra, Churchill, Glengarry, Moe South, Morwell, Newborough, Toongabbie, Traralgon, Yallourn North, Yinnar South, Hyland Group, amd Merton Group.

The District Council went straight to work on behalf of volunteers, discussing; CFA F&EM Proposed Structure Consultation, the 2015 VFBV Volunteer Welfare & Efficiency Survey, the Fire Services Review and two new Operations Bulletins from CFA.

More details on the September meeting will be posted soon.

A new digital scanner has been selected to replace existing listening sets at CFA brigades, with an order now placed with the supplier.

The Uniden UBCD436HP-ES digital scanner was selected after an exhaustive 18-month selection process.

The scanner was subjected to a thorough technical testing process before samples of the scanner were provided to VFBV representatives across the state for field trials.

After considerable consultation between the CFA Evaluation Team and the VFBV representatives, the Uniden scanner was evaluated as being the superior product offered during the tender process.

CFA has signed a contract with Preston-based Pacific Telecommunications - the Australian distributer for Uniden scanners. Uniden is gearing up for production, and delivery is planned for the end of October 2015.

CFA understands the selection process for the new digital scanners has led to frustration among some CFA members. The rigorous selection process has revealed that the selected digital scanner is the best product currently available and has features that will enable it to be used with future developments in CFA’s radios including transition to P25 Phase 2 technology.

The new digital scanner will be delivered pre-programmed with the current CFA/DELWP radio channel plan. These scanners are capable of receiving analogue and digital radio traffic and meet all of CFA’s technical requirements for a digital scanner.

CFA is working with VFBV to determine a process for equitable distribution of the scanners across all CFA brigades, along with implementing a subsidy to lessen the financial impact. Further details of the distribution and subsidy will be provided when they are finalised.

You can see the CFA announcement on CFA News & Media.

A new digital scanner has been selected to replace existing listening sets at CFA brigades, with an order now placed with the supplier.

The Uniden UBCD436HP-ES digital scanner was selected after an exhaustive 18-month selection process.

The scanner was subjected to a thorough technical testing process before samples of the scanner were provided to VFBV representatives across the state for field trials.

After considerable consultation between the CFA Evaluation Team and the VFBV representatives, the Uniden scanner was evaluated as being the superior product offered during the tender process.

CFA has signed a contract with Preston-based Pacific Telecommunications - the Australian distributer for Uniden scanners. Uniden is gearing up for production, and delivery is planned for the end of October 2015.

CFA understands the selection process for the new digital scanners has led to frustration among some CFA members. The rigorous selection process has revealed that the selected digital scanner is the best product currently available and has features that will enable it to be used with future developments in CFA’s radios including transition to P25 Phase 2 technology.

The new digital scanner will be delivered pre-programmed with the current CFA/DELWP radio channel plan. These scanners are capable of receiving analogue and digital radio traffic and meet all of CFA’s technical requirements for a digital scanner.

CFA is working with VFBV to determine a process for equitable distribution of the scanners across all CFA brigades, along with implementing a subsidy to lessen the financial impact. Further details of the distribution and subsidy will be provided when they are finalised.

You can see the CFA announcement on CFA News & Media.

The long awaited CFA-approved digital listening sets/scanners for Brigades are not far away. CFA has chosen the successful unit and completed contract negotiations with the supplier.

CFA and VFBV are discussing the distribution of subsidised sets to Brigades, and should announce details in the next two weeks.

The unit has passed CFA technical evaluation and the volunteers who field tested it have given it the thumbs up.

The listening set has a large range of options, and the manufacturer has agreed to the volunteers’ request to supply it pre-configured with settings to suit CFA Brigades’ needs.

Having successfully had volunteers included in the field trials, VFBV has pressed for every Brigade to be offered an equal, guaranteed number of subsidised sets, with any sets not taken up to be equally redistributed to Brigades that want them.

The program is expected to be in full swing well before summer, and VFBV has offered to assist with logistics to ensure no Brigade is disadvantaged by remoteness or lack of access to electronic ordering.

We will post the announcement on the VFBV website as soon as it is available.

ANALOGUE CHANNEL SHUTDOWNS

The VFBV/CFA Joint Communications and Technology Committee has become aware that CFA is shutting down an increasing number of analogue radio channels, despite an agreement that it would not decommission analogue services until the new digital listening sets were available.

The Committee has expressed its frustration to CFA that the shutdowns have gone ahead. CFA representatives have explained that the analogue shutdowns where operationally required to provide increased digital capacity in the network, and did not go ahead without District Operations Managers’ approval.

CFA has told the Joint Committee that it was the OM’s responsibility to conduct local consultation before approving any shutdown. Should your Brigade have concerns, you should proactively discuss the issue with your OM before they approve any local Shutdown.

The subsidised distribution of digital listening sets should be announced within the next two weeks. In the meantime, CFA regional radio dispatch traffic is available online using the free website Broadcastify.  This web streaming service allows you to receive radio comms via your computer, smart phone or tablet. 

To hear CFA traffic, go to www.broadcastify.com/listen/stid/152 and select your region.  Anyone listening via their mobile phone should keep track of their data usage to avoid exceeding their monthly data limit.