VFBV

Joint Training Committee 2 Minute Briefing 

Issue 6, 11 August 2013

Quick snapshot of the priority issues and actions worked through at the most recent Joint Committee meeting between CFA and VFBV. (Meeting held 11/08/2013)

WHO CAN TRAIN & ASSESS – CLARITY BY CHIEF OFFICER & OTV

In an article published in the August edition of the Fireman, the Chief Officer and Lex deMan have issued a clear directive to all members of the Chief Officer’s and CFA’s intent for the delivery of training and assessment to volunteers, particularly a clarification and re-affirmation of the advice to all members contained on the ‘Who Can Train & Assess’ poster distributed widely in 2012. Raised as a question at VFBV’s Open Forum in July, both the Chief and Lex in their Fireman article have made it abundantly clear that there is a clear distinction between Skills Maintenance and Skills Acquisition and that the responsibility for the delivery and conduct of routine and skills maintenance training in Brigades lies with the Captain / OIC. This simply means that any member who has the confidence and endorsement of the Captain/OIC and who holds the competency and experience to do so, can deliver and facilitate training at Brigade level.

Equally in the provision of foundation skills (minimum skills), while acquisition training, where appropriate mentoring is in place, brigades are able to conduct their own training under the approval of the Brigade Captain /OIC. There are specific requirements for the assessment of skills acquisition courses and these rules provide consistent application of training outcomes ie  everyone is assessed against a standard and qualifies based on merit. Members should read the August Fireman article for further details.

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CREATING OUR FUTURE TOGETHER – TRAINING

Recently the Fire and Emergency Management (F&EM) Strategy was approved. CFA aims to unify the

operating model and the way we work to ensure the most effective and efficient service delivery is

established and achieved.

Guiding Principles    The following principles guiding CFA training are designed to assist with                                                     standardisation across the state;

• Empower brigades, groups and districts by giving them ownership of their own learning through

increasing volunteer and staff capacity to deliver and assess training.

• F&EM at a district level will be responsible for determining the training and planning needs within a

district (includes brigades, groups, and catchments).

• OT&V at a district/ region level will be responsible for the coordination and delivery of training to

brigades, groups and catchments.

• OT&V at a state level will be accountable for the provision of training services to districts and

provision of standardised systems and application of frameworks, procedures and processes across

the state.

• Further develop the use of technology in the design and delivery of training.
• Ensure we have training infrastructure that is accessible to all both mobile and fixed.
• Greater focus on the development and monitoring of our training management systems to ensure

quality and standardisation of outcomes.

• Develop operational support capacity within the OT&V Structure.

Proposed changes   OT&V are proposing:

• To refresh the OT&V service delivery model, taking into consideration member feedback and comments provided.
• CFA’s aim is to implement this throughout 2014 and have a consistent and standardised approach in every district for the planning and delivery of training and assessment.
• To operate CFA service delivery across regions and districts.
• A training services function that would be based regionally and work with operational leaders at a regional level.
• To create the role of Senior Instructor to work across districts.
• To centralise some aspects of current business (for example: first aid bookings, data entry and regional training finance).
• To have greater connectivity to FE&M service delivery, with Operations determining the training needs and OT&V delivering to their specifications.

Members are encouraged to discuss the directions for Training and the impact of the proposed changes.

CFA’s new Operational Training Fact Sheet includes four words in bold, red type:  volunteers can train volunteers.  It also says “not all training has to be delivered by CFA staff”.

The fact sheet is the result of direct co-operation between VFBV and Operational Training and Volunteerism staff at CFA.

The Fact Sheet also says formal competency training and assessment can be undertaken by suitably qualified and experienced Brigade personnel.

Formal Competency Training requires a qualified trainer, using the current training package.

Formal Competency Assessment requires a qualified assessor and can take place at the Brigade.

Brigade training that does not involve a formal competency or assessment can be carried out by any Brigade member approved by the Brigade Management Team.

An Operational Training Fact Sheet has been sent to all Brigades and Groups, and you can download a copy by clicking on the link below.