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Other News (31)
New VicEmergency App for download
The new VicEmergency App is available for download now.
The app provides warnings and details of incidents, for fires, floods, storms, earthquake, tsunamis and water safety.i
Go to the EMV website to learn more and download the app.
New features of the VicEmergency app include:
- Incident and warning notifications for all emergencies
- User profile that enables simultaneous access to watch zones and emergency notifications across multiple devices
- Creation of up to 20 watch zones tailored to individual locations and needs
- Ability to edit watch zones and turn notifications on and off.
- Screen view rotation to view the incident map horizontally
- Responsive design for iPads and tablet devices
- The VicEmergency website www.emergency.vic.gov.au upgraded to create and edit watch zones and send email notifications
The new VicEmergency hotline introduced for this summer - 1800 226 226 - brings together all emergency numbers including the Victorian Bushfire Information Line, the Victorian Emergency Relief Information Line and the VICSES Flood and Storm Information Line.
'Out of Uniform' SWOT Workshops
RMIT University and the Bushfire and Natural Hazard CRC are holding a series of workshops with key stakeholders to analyse alternative strategies for engaging with non-traditional emergency volunteers (e.g. unaffiliated with formal emergency management organisations and plans).
The workshops are a part of the ‘Out of Uniform’ project that examines opportunities for emergency management organisations to contribute to community resilience by supporting non-traditional emergency volunteers - to learn more about the project, click here.
The workshops build on reviews conducted of knowledge and practice in this area, and case studies of non-traditional volunteering in action in Australia.
The workshop series has three aims:
1. To test and refine a proposed framework to assess alternative engagement strategies in relation to desired outcomes
2. To conduct a SWOT analysis to identify and compare the full range of potential Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats associated with four broad engagement strategies (currently labelled as Ignore, Resist, Tolerate, Embrace)
3. To identify what is needed for emergency management organisations to develop and implement volunteer strategies for non-traditional forms of volunteering.
The workshop series is currently in planning, with the first two workshops scheduled for October 2016.
It will have three overall outputs:
1. A tested and documented framework to underpin a strategic decision support tool for emergency management organisations
2. Identification of knowledge gaps for addressing specific organisational needs in volunteering for possible research funding by the BNHCRC
3. A report on key workshop outcomes
For further information or to register your interest in hosting or attending a workshop please contact Blythe McLennan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (03) 9925-5227.
Emergency Management and Disaster Resilience day
Wednesday 28 September 2016 - This Emergency Management and Disaster Resilience day is part of the Australasian Simulation Congress (ASC) at the Melbourne Convention Centre.
This is an opportunity for those who use and develop simulation activities for emergency management to get together and exchange ideas.
Subjects for discussion will include high tech simulation, live exercising, map exercises, community planning workshops etc.
Download the information flyer here
Discount registration for volunteers has been organised through AFAC, and is $310 per person instead of the regular price of $530 – contact Benjamin Smith This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Todd Mason This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This covers attendance at the panels and paper sessions, lunch and tea, and access to the exhibition space.
Separately, the conference also offers a master class on Monday, 26 September, covering fire safety and evacuation. See www.simulationcongress.com for more details on the master class.
Weekend Training Courses from EMV
State Incident Management Training (operating under the umbrella of Emergency Management Victoria) is promoting a number of training courses scheduled on, or through weekends to suit volunteers.
For enquiries, contact Rebecca Pethybridge, IMT Training & Development Coordinator, State Incident Management Training - call 03 5430 4338 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The courses include:
- Planning Officer, over two weekends, Weekend 1 – Friday 14th to Sunday 16th of October, Weekend 2 - Friday 4th to Sunday 6th of November, Location Shepparton
- Public Information Officer, Friday 11th to Sunday 13th of November, Location Dandenong
- Sector Commander, 4 courses
Course 1 - Friday 23rd – Sunday 25th of September, Location Digby
Course 2 – Friday 21st – Sunday 23rd of October, Location Wangaratta
Course 3 – Friday 11th - Sunday 13th of November, Location Warragul
Course 4 – Friday 18th – Sunday 20th of November, Location Ballarat
- Supervise Machinery and Coordinate Aircraft Operations, 3 courses
Course 1 – Saturday 15th – Sunday 16th of October, Location Huntly
Course 2 – Saturday 22nd – Sunday 23rd of October, Location Briagolong
Course 3 – Saturday 22nd to Sunday 23rd of October, Location Ballarat
- Intermediate Bushfire Behaviour, Saturday 15th – Sunday 16th of October, Location Melton
- Introduction to Logistics, Saturday 5th of November, Location Warrnambool
- Linton Staff Rides, Friday 21st – Sunday 22nd of October, Location Ballarat.
You can download the training calendar and nomination form below.
Further detail on the courses can be found through Brigades On-line, under the training section.
2016 Fire Awareness Awards
The 2016 Fire Awareness Awards are now open to anyone who has implemented a project or program over the last two years that helps reduce the effect of fire in Victoria.
Projects can focus on any fire type, including structure (housing, commercial, industrial) fires, bushfires or grass fires.
Community categories: Access and Inclusion, Community-led Prevention, Community-led Preparedness, Education, Innovation and Design, Recovery
Long-standing supporter of the awards, RACV Insurance provides a $10,000 Award for Excellence to the most outstanding project.
Entries close 15 September 2016
For more information about the 2016 Fire Awareness Awards visit www.fireawarenessawards.com.au, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or follow via Facebook and Twitter.
Review of Discrimination, Bullying and Sexual Harassment - Extended Deadline
New Closing Date 18 December
The Independent Equity and Diversity Review into CFA and MFB has been extended. Members now have the opportunity to take part in this review until 18 December 2016, and VFBV encourages all members to consider contributing to the review. Links to the electronic survey is below.
Over the past five months, the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) have been conducting surveys, focus groups and interviews that look at our workplace culture and the experience of discrimination (including bullying) and sexual harassment among CFA and MFB members.
The review team has seen high levels of engagement and have extended their site visits and survey deadline to ensure they speak to as many members as possible about their experiences.
VFBV has been working closely with and actively assisting VEOHRC in their work, by supporting our members to participate and also by facilitating VEOHRC’s attendance at a number District Council meetings and most recently, at State Council on 4.12.16. VFBV will continue to work with Districts and VEOHRC to ensure as many of our members across the State have the opportunity to participate and have their say in this important Review
CFA and MFB provide a crucial service to the community, and all members deserve a workplace that is safe, fair and respectful.
If you wish to participate, you can still do so confidentially and anonymously.
Complete the online survey, or request a paper copy by calling VEOHRC on (03) 9032 3464.
You can also use the details below to write to VEOHRC or arrange a confidential interview or face-to-face meeting:
- Confidential phone line: (03) 9032 3464
- Confidential email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Website: www.victorianhumanrightscommission.com/EDR/
The VEOHRC review team will make recommendations to CFA and MFB based on their findings. Your participation will not be reported back to the either organisation, and VEORHC will not name individual people or work locations in the final report.
The final report is still due to be published in mid-2017.
Support for Firefighters Experiencing PTSD
STATE GOVERNMENT MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday, 26 May, 2016
MORE SUPPORT FOR FIREFIGHTERS EXPERIENCING PTSD
The Andrews Labor Government is supporting firefighters suffering from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with a new pilot program for one-on-one support services.
Minister for Emergency Services Jane Garrett unveiled the plans for the program, which gives firefighters another option to seek help for PTSD. The program will also help to identify some of the barriers that may be preventing firefighters from using existing support services.
Firefighters are often first on scene at emergencies and can be exposed to horrific scenes including fatal fires, accidents and incidents.
The pilot, through the world-renowned Austin Health Psychological Trauma Recovery Service, will help to diagnose PTSD in affected firefighters and provide direct, confidential access to services to help in their recovery.
In line with the election commitment, the Government has invested $200,000 over two years for the program, which allows for approximately 60 participants in the pilot.
CFA or MFB members experiencing PTSD who take part in the trial will also have access to the health, wellbeing and workplace safety services already available through their agencies.
Firefighters will be assessed for PTSD through the Austin’s Psychological Trauma Recovery Service’s clinical intake process and, if appropriate, will have access to a treatment program of 12 one-on-one sessions, with the option to extend for a further six or twelve sessions based on client need.
Further information about the program and details on how firefighters can take part will be distributed to all firefighters through the relevant agencies. The program is due to start in the second half of the year.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Emergency Services Jane Garrett
“This important pilot will give our firefighters additional support for PTSD while also helping us to understand the barriers to firefighters seeking treatment.”
“I encourage MFB and CFA firefighters experiencing trauma to consider participating in the pilot program, or use the existing support services provided by the agencies.”
“Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a serious condition and we want make sure firefighters get the support they need.”
Australasian Firefighters Championships
Host Brigade Echuca has won the title of 2015 Champion Team, after a weekend of competition involving 30 teams from Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.
Echuca was one of nine Victorian teams competing, they included Euroa, Geelong West, Melton, MFB, Ocean Grove, Pyramid Hill, Swan Hill and Werribee.
NZ Brigade New Norfolk were runners up to Echuca, and the next Australasian Firefighters Championship will be held in New Zealand.
For video of events, see the Australasian Firefighting Championships Facebook page.
2015 AUSTRALASIAN FIREFIGHTERS CHAMPIONSHIPS
RESULTS & AGGREGATE POINTS
EVENT NO. 1 Collector Event – 4 Competitors
1st ECHUCA (VICTORIA) – NEW RECORD 8.310 seconds
2nd KELSO (NEW SOUTH WALES) 8.705 seconds
3rd DEVONPORT (TASMANIA) 8.737 seconds
4th WERRIBEE (VICTORIA) 8.867 seconds
5th WYONG (NEW SOUTH WALES) 9.134 seconds
EVENT NO. 2 First Aid Reel & Pumper – 4 Competitors
1st METROPOLITAN FIRE BRIGADE (VICTORIA) – NEW RECORD 29.387 seconds
2nd MELTON (VICTORIA) 29.439 seconds
3rd ECHUCA (VICTORIA) 29.519 seconds
4th NOWRA (NEW SOUTH WALES) 31.253 seconds
5th FIJI 31.654 seconds
EVENT NO. 3 - Pumper rescue, 4 Competitors
1st TENTERFIELD (NEW SOUTH WALES) – NEW RECORD 25.904 seconds
2nd DEVONPORT (TASMANIA) 26.986 seconds
3rd GREYMOUTH (NEW ZEALAND) 27.933 seconds
4th KELSO (NEW SOUTH WALES) 28.253 seconds
5th ECHUCA (VICTORIA) 28.361 seconds
EVENT NO. 4 - Siamese Valve, 4 Competitors
1st DEVONPORT (TASMANIA) 41.399 seconds
2nd KELSO (NEW SOUTH WALES) 43.429 seconds
3rd WERRIBEE (VICTORIA) 43.616 seconds
4th ECHUCA (VICTORIA) 44.314 seconds
5th WYONG (NEW SOUTH WALES) 45.428 seconds
EVENT NO. 5 – Wet Hose Marshall Event, 4 Competitors
1st ECHUCA (VICTORIA) – NEW RECORD 15.348 seconds
2nd WERRIBEE (VICTORIA) 15.432 seconds
3rd MELTON (VICTORIA) 16.123 seconds
4th GEELONG WEST (VICTORIA) 17.981 seconds
5th OCEAN GROVE (VICTORIA) 18.073 seconds
EVENT NO. 6 – Hose & Hydrant 2 Competitors
1st ECHUCA (VICTORIA) – NEW RECORD 11.054 seconds
2nd GREYMOUTH (NEW ZEALAND) 11.132 seconds
3rd SWAN HILL (VICTORIA) 11.161 seconds
4th TAMWORTH (NEW SOUTH WALES) 11.249 seconds
5th KOOTINGAL/MOONBI (NEW SOUTH WALES) 11.353 seconds
EVENT NO. 7 – Hose & Hydrant, 4 Competitors
1st SILVERDALE (NEW ZEALAND) – NEW RECORD 15.384 seconds
2nd TAMWORTH (NEW SOUTH WALES) 15.976 seconds
3rd KOOTINGAL/MOONBI (NEW SOUTH WALES) 16.229 seconds
4th ECHUCA (VICTORIA) 16.739 seconds
5th WERRIBEE (VICTORIA) 16.790 seconds
EVENT NO. 8 – Hose, Hydrant & Extinguisher, 3 Competitors
1st KOOTINGAL/MOONBI (NEW SOUTH WALES) 33.529 seconds
2nd TAMWORTH (NEW SOUTH WALES) 33.832 seconds
3rd SWAN HILL (VICTORIA) 34.532 seconds
4th GEELONG WEST (VICTORIA) 34.748 seconds
5th DORRIGO (NEW SOUTH WALES) 34.795 seconds
EVENT NO. 9 – Hose, Hydrant & Pumper – 4 Competitors
1st ECHUCA (VICTORIA) – NEW RECORD 15.913 seconds
2nd MELTON (VICTORIA) 16.715 seconds
3rd DEVONPORT (TASMANIA) 17.314 seconds
4th OCEAN GROVE (VICTORIA) 17.695 seconds
5th TAMWORTH (NEW SOUTH WALES) 17.930 seconds
EVENT NO. 10 – PUMP SUCTION, 4 Competitors
1st ECHUCA (VICTORIA) 18.228 seconds
2nd DEVONPORT (TASMANIA) 18.806 seconds
3rd TAMWORTH (NEW SOUTH WALES) 19.366 seconds
4th DORRIGO (NEW SOUTH WALES) 19.574 seconds
5th BEGA (NEW SOUTH WALES) 19.723 seconds
AGREGATE POINTS
1st ECHUCA (VICTORIA) 161.5 Points
2nd DEVONPORT (TASMANIA) 115.5 Points
3rd TAMWORTH (NEW SOUTH WALES) 94.5 Points
4th KELSO (NEW SOUTH WALES) 84.0 Points
5th WERRIBEE (VICTORIA) 78.0 Points
2015 CHAMPION TEAM: ECHUCA (VICTORIA)
Click here to download the results as a PDF file
Fire Services Review - 18 December Update
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
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
Female Leadership Network Cross Agency Event
Thursday 27th 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.
More...
DELWP & Parks Victoria jobs - Seasonal Firefighters
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
Incident Management Training - Calendar and Application Form
Updated July 2015 Calendar available for download below
The Statewide 2015 IMT course application form is now available at Brigades Online - members from emergency service agencies, including CFA, DELWP, MFB, SES and EMV, can access a variety of courses.
The courses are designed to provide technical skills necessary to undertake a number of IMT roles. Following training, there are agency specific requirements that must be met in order to become fully accredited in a particular role.
To nominate for one of the courses in the calendar, you need to complete the course nomination form before the course closing date. Both training and role pre-requisites are outlined. You must have all pre-requisites before nominating for a course.
If you have been identified by your District for a course, you need to complete the IMT training nomination form authorised by your District Operational Manager. If you are a staff member, you will have to speak to your functional manager for approval.
Click here for the course nomination form at Brigades Online
See below to download an updated (July 2015) copy of the course calendar.
Online Introduction to Leadership - free program
The Australian Emergency Management Volunteer Forum (AEMVF) is offering a new online resource, the AEMVF Introduction to Leadership Training.
It is free and available to all emergency management volunteers.
This training is 45-60 minutes and can be done at your own pace. It is full of useful learnings and tools to help you discover and grow your leadership capabilities.
This workshop covers basic leadership principles and approaches and provides take away tools to help put your skills into practice.
Follow this link for the course and the accompanying workbook and video.
2015 Resilient Australia Awards
Emergency Management Victoria (EMV) is the State Convenor for the awards this year, the awards are open to local emergency projects and applications are open now.
The national awards, now in their 16th year, recognise and promote initiatives that help make our communities safer, stronger and better prepared to manage natural disasters.
Victorian winners last year included the Violet Town CFA Red Bucket and Know Your Neighbours program, the St Andrews 2014 Fire Preparedness Calendar, the ‘Are U Ready – surviving small business disaster’ publication, Emergency Support Team – Emerald Pilot Project and the Hume Region Corrections Victoria – Emergency Response initiative.
Applications are judged at the state and territory level and winners become finalists for the national judging. There is also a photography award for photos that communicate work in disaster resilience.
Click here for full details on the Emergency Management Victoria website.
