In this Edition

- Editorial - Summer and Business as Usual

- Apply Now for Scholarships

- Coalition Moves to Change CFA Act

- Delegate Development course

- Digital Scanners at Cost Price

- Youth Network in 20 Districts

- Planned Burning as Training

- Chainsaw Training

- 2017 Championships

- Australasian Championships

- Cancer Law Reminder

- Donations Welcome

SUMMER AND BUSINESS AS USUAL

By Andrew Ford, VFBV Chief Executive Officer

I am hoping that everyone has found at least a few quiet moments to enjoy Christmas and managed to reflect, re-energise and prepare for 2017.  It has been a hot few weeks and certainly looks like some parts of the state will have a very busy summer.

As we go into a new year, it would be easy to think that over the past 12 months the CFA and emergency sector has been tied up with just a few major issues.

But while there have been major challenges at the statewide level and attention to CFA issues right up to the Federal level, your volunteer association that is VFBV has been quietly getting on with business as usual in the background.

Volunteer delegates on the VFBV/CFA Joint Committees, and any number of volunteers on working groups and at the District level, have been working on the equipment, training, projects and other issues that make up our everyday representation work for volunteers and Brigades.

As just a few examples of the association’s work over the past 12 months; VFBV has launched its VFBV Multi-Agency Youth Network, another class of VFBV Leadership participants has graduated, a VFBV-advocated partnership with CFA has delivered 10,000 subsidised digital scanners to Brigades and Groups, we have provided practical assistance to Brigades applying for VESEP grants, and we have launched two innovative short videos, the first explaining in simple terms how CFA’s great volunteer surge capacity works, and the second transforming CFA turnout data into a graphical depiction of how Brigades from all over the state contribute to CFA’s ability to deal with multiple major incidents at a time while still protecting every Brigade’s local community.

We have also contributed to the State Government’s Fire Services Review; worked with CFA, DELWP and EMV to increase volunteer participation in planned burning; given assistance and support to the VEOHRC Independent Equity and Diversity Review; provided submission and input to the Fiskville Inquiry; and we continue the work on yet to be resolved issues like presumptive legislation, the role of CFA Groups, chainsaw training, 40 kph speed limits near incidents, new BA acquisition and electrical safety mobile props.

It is very satisfying to note that volunteers have given their association’s work a very strong stamp of approval through the year, with record numbers of Brigades affiliating with VFBV, record numbers subscribing to the VFBV Welfare Fund, record numbers of volunteers taking part in the annual VFBV Volunteer Welfare & Efficiency Survey, and higher levels of activity across District Councils and on our social media sites.

And I’d like to add a final note appropriate to the season.  Summer is here, volunteers are busy in many parts of the state, and we all need to be mindful of safety and wellbeing; our own and that of our fellow members.  So stay safe, look after yourselves and keep an eye out for one another.

VFBV VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIPS - APPLY NOW FOR 2017

VFBV’s Volunteer Leadership Program scholarships will be available again in 2017 and we are now calling for Expressions of Interest from potential participants.

The two 2017 courses will be based in the Euroa (District 22) and Ararat (District 16) areas, they will run from late March to the end of the year, and successful participants will achieve the nationally recognised Certificate IV in Leadership & Management.  Both locations have been chosen based on an effort to rotate the courses across the State, and their location on major highways to make travel to and from those areas as easy as possible for members from neighbouring Districts.

The VFBV Volunteer Leadership Program has already produced over 250 graduates and many are in leadership positions with their agencies, volunteer representative organisations or local communities.  Graduates will graduate with a nationally recognised Cert IV in Leadership & Management (BSB42015).

You can download the application pack from the VFBV website.  We are offering scholarships to volunteers from CFA, Ambulance Victoria, Australian Volunteer Coast Guard, Life Saving Victoria, VICSES and St John.   Nominations close Friday 27 January 2017.

The VFBV Leadership Scholarship course has been designed for volunteers, with a mix of lectures and interactive activities designed to suit the needs of adult students, as well as ample support using distance learning methods.  The course involves 12 units, eight face to face days (six Saturdays and two Sundays) throughout the year, with course work and assignments spread throughout the year.

The course includes units on; leadership, decision making, planning, safety and risk management, team effectiveness, making presentations, managing projects, and engaging the community.

Any questions or queries can be directed to any of VFBV’s Support Officers, and information packs are being posted to all Brigades.

COALITION MOVES TO CHANGE CFA ACT

The Coalition parties have introduced a Bill into the upper house of State Parliament, in an attempt to introduce additional protections for volunteers’ rights into the CFA Act.

The Bill is designed to prevent any outside deals that affect volunteers but bypass the existing protections of the CFA Act and the Federal Fair Work Act.

The proposed legislation is listed for debate in State Parliament in the new year, and is worthy of support from all Members of Parliament.  We encourage volunteers to raise the issue with local MPs – talk to your VFBV State Councillor if you need advice.

The explanatory notes included with the Bill say it would make minor adjustments to the CFA Act “to protect volunteers from the implementation of any deed, agreement or arrangement that may have adverse effects on the volunteer firefighters across the state.”

The notes also say: “Deeds, agreements and or arrangements to commit the CFA to implement clauses, which would otherwise be subject to approval by the Fair Work Commission (FWC), is not compliant with the principles of the Volunteer Charter. This amendment will ensure the CFA Act 1958 supports the integrated model of fire fighting in Victoria, a volunteer organisation with support from career staff.”

ENGAGING DIVERSITY WITH DELEGATE DEVELOPMENT

VFBV will soon offer more than 100 Brigade Delegates, BMT members and other volunteers a nationally recognised training course in skills for volunteer representatives.

The course will offer modules that go towards Cert II in Public Safety (Firefighting Operations) and Cert III in Public Safety (Community Safety).

Participants will develop practical skills in understanding the structure and communications channels of VFBV and CFA, the Delegate’s role, communication skills and problem solving skills.

The newly developed course will involve two full day sessions several weeks apart, and each participant will work with a more experienced volunteer as a mentor.

The course will be free to all participants, details will be posted on the VFBV website in January, and volunteers interested in taking the course should discuss it with their District Council executive or their VFBV Support Officer.

DIGITAL SCANNERS AT COST PRICE

We are still receiving enquiries from members about digital scanners, and we have good news for everyone still needing a scanner.

Digital Scanners are still available at cost price - $446.75 plus postage and handling - which is hundreds of dollars below retail, and CFA is still accepting orders from Brigades, Groups and individual members.

The digital scanner subsidisation program was advocated by VFBV and run in partnership with CFA, and has been an overwhelming success since it began in October 2015.   Over 10,000 digital scanners have been delivered to over 1,000 Brigades and Groups, with savings to members adding up to over $3 million dollars.

To order a scanner now, you will need to place a Tier 3 order, using the order form that’s available for download here.

VFBV MULTI-AGENCY YOUTH NETWORK

The VFBV Multi-Agency Youth Network now has active groups in 20 Districts, including 16 where young members, the Champions – experienced local volunteers chosen to assist and mentor them – and VFBV District Council representatives have begun work on recruiting young volunteers and discussing issues and suitable projects.

Districts 4, 5, 6 and 22 are still seeking Champions and all Districts are looking for more young volunteers – if you’d like to get involved, talk to your VFBV Support Officer or call Chris Fryer in the VFBV office on 9886 1141.

In District 12, young volunteers taking part in the VFBV Multi-Agency Youth Network, supported by the VFBV District Council Executive, are to begin work on a new smart phone app.

The app will create a register of volunteers matched with their skills, qualifications and attributes, and will be accessible by other members, making it easy for them to get in contact with volunteers with particular skills and capabilities.

Looking for a volunteer who has expertise in a particular Brigade skill?  Or perhaps a volunteer who is a local plumber or garden contactor?  Consult the app.

The VFBV Multi-Agency Youth Network in District 12 has also had success with new members from VICSES.  Three young SES volunteers have joined the Network and are now working to recruit more young volunteers from their agency.

In Districts 9, 10 and 27, young volunteers are working together to create an interconnected CFA paging system using mobile phones instead pagers.

The app and pager projects are part of a theme that is building up among the young members of the Youth Network, the need to make better use of modern technology.

Young volunteers interested in getting involved should contact their VFBV District Council, or Chris Fryer at VFBV on (03) 9886 1141 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PLANNED BURNS AS TRAINING

For many years now VFBV has been advocating for a more holistic approach to planned burning, and for CFA to promote the training advantages of participating in planned burns.

The VFBV/CFA Joint Community Safety Committee has been very pleased to observe that recent planned burns have developed into exercises, not just in fire behaviour and fuel load interactions but also extend to learnings in weather behaviour, impact on flora and fauna, bush heritage and Indigenous fire management practices.

The camps are very practical ‘hands on’ for all involved, each participant is specifically tasked with both coaching and mentoring roles, allowing involvement by volunteers across all aspects of the planned burning.

Recent burn camps also saw attendances from Traditional Owners, Trust for Nature (landowners) bird scientists, along with DELWP, plantation owners and CFA paid staff. The attendees worked well together and contributed experience and expertise, building valuable relationships and creating an atmosphere of co-operation in complex burn scenarios.

These camps offer a great opportunity for volunteers to train in realistic settings and gain extensive firefighting experience. The Joint Committee has requested CFA produce a brochure which clearly explains and illustrates upcoming Burn Camps to Brigades.

CHAINSAW TRAINING

The VFBV/CFA Joint Training Committee continues to advocate for much greater access and support for members to attain chainsaw qualification and training.

Despite two Mobile Chainsaw Training trailers developed through the Mobile Prop Project back in 2015 to add additional capability for members to access chainsaw training, a UFU grievance over the training package, equipment and trailer use and design has resulted in a yearlong ban on paid instructors using these trailers to deliver any chainsaw training, resulting in the widespread cancellation of CFA planned courses for volunteers.

CFA advises that the IR issues are now close to being resolved, and has confirmed that there are no IR restrictions that relate to volunteer trainer and assessors accessing, towing and using the trailers.

Whilst disappointed that Brigades are currently unable to access paid support and delivery of chainsaw courses through CFA’s training pool, the Joint Committee has requested that CFA increase the number of endorsed volunteer trainer and assessors to deliver this training, so that Brigades can access this vital training.

CFA has agreed to streamline and prioritise volunteer access to the new trailers, equipment and training package, as well as investigate an Expression of Interest process for subject matter experts to be identified and endorsed for volunteer training and delivery.

2017 CHAMPIONSHIPS

Over 900 competitors are expected at this year’s VFBV State Urban Championships, with 59 senior teams and 74 junior teams entered.

With Bendigo hosting its 30th urban senior championships, there will be a limited edition commemorative medal for every competitor, free entertainment in the Bendigo CBD after the torchlight procession, and a spectacular display of Chinese lion dancing.

Dates and locations the state championships are as follows:

• VFBV State Urban Junior Championships - at Tatura, on 25/26 February 2017
• VFBV State Urban Senior Championships - at Bendigo, on 11 to 13 March 2017
• VFBV State Rural Championships - at Wodonga on 1 and 2 April 2017

Visit the Urban Championships area of the website for the latest rule book, entry forms, and judges’/officials’ nomination forms.

More details and entry forms will be posted on the Rural Championships page soon.

AUSTRALASIAN FIREFIGHTER CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Australasian championships will be held at Carterton, New Zealand, on 17 to 19 November 2017.

Expressions of interest are open until 1 March.  Send your Brigade name and contact details to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.or call the VFBV office on 9886 1141.

CANCER LAW REMINDER

Throughout summer, public attention turns to fire and firefighters.

If you encounter any Members of Parliament this summer, VFBV urges you to remind them that

Victorian volunteers and paid firefighters were promised presumptive legislation two years ago, but this important issue for all firefighters remains unresolved.

Your local MPs need to know volunteers won’t accept second best just because they are not paid.  Click here for more information on the Firefighters' Cancer issue.

DONATIONS WELCOME

GET THE LATEST NEWS

Download the latest Joint Committee Two Minute Briefings here.

Join the discussion on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cfavol

Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/vfbv or Instagram @volunteer_fire_brigades_vic

VFBV’s Volunteer Leadership Program scholarships

Applications for 2017 have now closed, but volunteers considering applying for future courses are invited to download the information packs below.

The 2017 courses will be based in the Euroa (District 22) and Ararat (District 16) areas, starting in late March.  Successful participants will achieve the nationally recognised Certificate IV in Leadership & Management. The locations have been chosen based on an effort to rotate the courses across the State, and their location on major highways to make travel to and from those areas as easy as possible for members from neighbouring Districts.

The VFBV Volunteer Leadership Program has already produced over 250 graduates and many are in leadership positions with their agencies, volunteer representative organisations or local communities.  Graduates will achieve a nationally recognised Cert IV in Leadership & Management (BSB42015).

You can download the 2017 application pack for CFA volunteers here.  Scholarships are also open to volunteers from Ambulance Victoria, Australian Volunteer Coast Guard, Life Saving Victoria, VICSES and St John.  You can download a 2017 multi-agency application pack here.

The VFBV Leadership Scholarship course has been designed for volunteers, with a mix of lectures and interactive activities designed to suit the needs of adult students, as well as ample support using distance learning methods.  The course involves 12 units, eight face to face days (six Saturdays and two Sundays) throughout the year, with course work and assignments spread throughout the year.

The course includes units on;

• leadership
• decision making
• planning
• safety and risk management
• team effectiveness
• making presentations
• managing projects, and
• engaging the community.

Any questions or queries can be directed to any of VFBV’s Support Officers.  You can download the 2017 flyer here and a copy was posted to all Brigades as part of VFBV’s regular mail-out.

This is an exciting program and is well respected in the sector.  Applications always exceed places available, so please encourage your members and keep in mind that your Brigade Captain’s endorsement is very powerful when assessing potential students.

2016 VFBV Volunteer Leadership Scholarships  

Courses based in the Gisborne and Pakenham/Dandenong areas, starting April 2016

CLOSING SOON - Apply by Sunday, 21 February 2016

See below to download the information pack and application forms. VFBV accepts applications from volunteers from Ambulance Victoria, Australian Volunteer Coastguard, CFA, Life Saving Victoria, SES and St John.

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The participants work towards a nationally recognised qualification in leadership and management, in a course involving eight days of face-to-face class work and considerable off-campus course, project and assessment tasks, spread over the year.

The VFBV Leadership Scholarship program includes a series of one and two day sessions at venues chosen to be as convenient as possible to the participants.

The course covers skills suited to volunteer, career and community situations and include units on; •Leadership •Decision making •Planning •Safety and risk management •Team effectiveness •Making presentations •Managing projects •Engaging the community

The first two days of the course focus on leadership, team effectiveness and communication, the skills at the heart of the scholarships' aims.

The course adds to the participants' capabilities in useful skills such as public speaking, business writing and influencing.  It comprises a mixture of lecture style teaching and interactive activities designed to suit the needs of adult students, as well as ample support using distance learning methods.

Recognising that many of the participants may be returning to study for the first time in years, we will provided them with return to study and study skills material to help them get started.

About the VFBV Volunteer Leadership Scholarship Program

The Leadership Scholarship aims to:

1. Recognise and develop current and future leaders in VFBV & our Volunteer Emergency Service Agencies

2. Build networks and work on important issues for volunteers and VFBV

3.Lead to a recognised qualification so the skills and capabilities learned can be transferred to all areas of the participant's life.

On completion of the Scholarship, the students will be awarded Certificate IV in Leadership and Management (BSB42015).

Time Commitment: The program runs over 9 months and includes eight face to face sessions throughout the year.

Method: the program includes face to face, guest speakers, and plenty of active learning and discussion.

Assessments: include individual work with small group project work to address key issues.

Costs: the program is fully funded by VFBV.  Students need to provide their own transport and accommodation (if required) to the program venues (possibly with use of a CFA or brigade vehicle).

Overview: Certificate IV in Leadership and Management BSB42015  There are 12 units in the qualification and four of those must be core units. The units selected below match the qualification requirements and the key issues discussed for the program.  We have sourced suitable resources for all of these units which will mean both the requirements of the qualification and the participants’ expectations as parties to the Scholarship are met.

The Units are:

BSBLDR401 Communicate Effectively as a workplace leader

BSBLDR402 Lead Effective workplace relationships

BSBMGT402 Implement Operational plan

BSBLDR403 Lead team effectiveness

BSBRSK401 Identify Risk and apply risk management processes

BSBWHS401 Implement and monitor WHS policies, procedures and programs

BSBWOR404 Develop Work Priorities

BSBCMM401  Make a presentation

BSBCUS401   Co-ordinate implementation of customer service strategies

BSBMGT401  Show leadership in the workplace

BSBPMG522  Undertake project work

BSBADM502  Manage meetings

The outcomes allow students to apply their enhanced skills to their voluntary, VFBV, employment and community roles. This is primarily achieved by application of principles and tools or models into the various different contexts.

A couple of obvious examples are in applying the basics of effective presentation skills and risk management in their voluntary and employed roles.  In the voluntary presentation and risk management context he/she may be coming from a leadership position in the CFA and community, whilst as an employee the presentation may be internal or external sales, and risk may be from a much narrower perspective.

The principles are the same but the application may change in a different context. This flexibility is a skill in itself.

Delivery  

Each day will comprise:

a. Preview and day's objectives •Key learning objectives •Course requirements – competency and element overview •Explanation of assessment requirements •Expectations of participants

The first day will encompass an overview of the entire course and a general introduction to each other and to the course requirements. For some it may be a reintroduction to adult learning models, including;

•Slides, discussions, exercises and workgroups working through key issues for each of the topics

•Plenty of focus on discussion, idea sharing, scenario exploration and application of ideas.  Role plays and small group activities and discussions are utilised where possible and practical.

•Guest speakers to demonstrate or talk about a specific issues or experiences which will enhance learning and lead to focused discussion &/or project work.

•A wrap up at the end of the day to highlight key points and issues and reinforce main learnings.

Follow up homework and assessments will be issued, with further follow up via email, and by phone if required. Participants will work in small groups to facilitate more localised support.  Assessments will be completed progressively throughout the course. At the end of the first session, the group divides into small teams of 5 or 6 to design and work on key projects.

These projects would be relevant to the volunteers and community and to the course requirements. For example:

Consider the critical issues in designing and implementing a performance management and review system for the various levels and functions of a broadly dispersed voluntary organisation. What would it look like? What would it aim to achieve, what are some risks and how might they be managed? What are critical success factors and KPIs and how would they be measured, monitored and reviewed? Which stakeholders might you need to consult with, how and why?

For more information, contact your VFBV Support Officer (contact details in the application pack) or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

VFBV Media Release

Fifty five emergency services volunteers from six organisations have just graduated from a leadership scholarship program run by Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV), the CFA volunteers’ association.

The volunteers are serving in Brigades, flotillas and units all over Victoria, and have achieved the nationally recognised Certificate IV in Frontline Management, delivered for VFBV by Chisholm TAFE.

The volunteers received their Certificates a few days ago, with presentations by VFBV Chief Executive Officer Andrew Ford, Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley, Mr Henry Plumptre of international racehorse breeding organisation Darley and Mr Ray Jopling of Chisholm TAFE.

VFBV Chief Executive Officer Andrew Ford said this latest group of graduates includes volunteers from CFA, Ambulance Victoria, Lifesaving Victoria, the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard, St John Ambulance and VICSES.

“The new scholarship graduates now have a nationally recognised qualification in leadership that will help them in their day to day careers, their work as emergency volunteers and their contributions to the community for years to come,” Mr Ford said.

“Victoria’s tens of thousands of volunteers are the unpaid professionals of our emergency services, and investing in volunteer leadership is a contribution to the vital work of encouraging, maintaining and strengthening Victoria’s emergency sector volunteer capacity,” he said.

“Leadership skills are part of the professionalism that makes volunteers vital contributors from the front line to the highest levels of decision making.”

“VFBV is forever grateful to the people who enabled us to put this and other programs into action with their donations. Particular supporters in the early days were International racehorse breeding and racing organisation Darley and the Victoria Racing Club, who were fundamental to our being able to begin this program in 2010 and remain active and generous supporters of VFBV,” Mr Ford said.

Many graduates of the earlier courses are now serving in leadership roles with their Brigades and units, as well as in representing volunteers at higher levels and contributing as leaders in their local communities.

The VFBV Leadership Scholarship course has been designed for volunteers, with a mix of lectures and interactive activities designed to suit the needs of adult students, as well as ample support using distance learning methods. To reduce travel time for the volunteers, the classroom sessions were made available at three locations: Colac, Inverloch and Mooroopna.

The course includes units on; leadership, decision making, planning, safety and risk management, team effectiveness, making presentations, managing projects, and engaging the community.

The VFBV Leadership Scholarship program is funded by VFBV, in large part through a trust established with public donations received after Black Saturday from generous donors such as international racehorse breeding organisation Darley, the Herald Sun and the Victoria Racing Club.

In recent years, the program has received top up funding and support from the Victorian Government through the Valuing Volunteers Program, which has assisted VFBV in extending the program to a larger number of emergency service agencies, including SES, Lifesaving Victoria, Ambulance Victoria and the St John Ambulance. The qualification is provided under the auspices of Chisholm Institute of TAFE.

VFBV emphatically acknowledges and thanks Darley for their ongoing support and enthusiasm for emergency service volunteers, and in particular their support of VFBV’s leadership program, which would not have been possible without their generous donation to VFBV following Black Saturday.

In particular this year’s Graduation ceremony would not have been possible without the generosity of Darley with their organisational assistance, the Victoria Racing Club and Racing Victoria.

Among this year’s 55 graduates are 27 from CFA, 16 from VICSES, four from the Australian Volunteer Coastguard, three from Life Saving Victoria, three from St John Ambulance and two from Ambulance Victoria.

This year’s course brings the total number of graduates to more than 230, with another 50 set to graduate in 2016. VFBV launched the program for CFA volunteers in 2010 and began expanding it to include other emergency organisations in 2012.

Ends…

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.

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.

Places in this year’s VFBV Leadership Program course have been in demand, with 92 applicants for 50 positions.

The program is funded by VFBV, with additional funding from the Department of Justice to assist with our multi-agency approach, but with such strong demand we were able to make a successful application to Emergency Management Victoria for top up funding sufficient for an extra 10 participants for this year’s course, taking the total to 60.

This is the sixth course, and includes volunteers from CFA, VICSES, Lifesaving Victoria, the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard, Ambulance Victoria CERT and St John Ambulance.

The successful applicants have been advised and the Lilydale and Werribee groups have had their first session.

The VFBV Leadership Program has equipped more than 200 successful participants with Certificate IV in Frontline Management, a nationally recognised qualification provided under the auspices of Chisholm Institute of TAFE.

Applications now open for CFA Challenge 2015 - a 12 day leadership development program for members aged 16 and over. Apply by 30 June. 

The Challenge 2015 program is conducted over twelve days from Saturday 10th January 2015 to Wednesday 21st January 2015 and provides CFA members with the opportunity to realise their leadership potential.

The initial three day classroom based personal development program will equip participants with personal skills that will enable them to understand communication preferences, personal emotions, reactions in people, and accept individual differences within their teams. By setting goals, understanding stress reactions and setting team values, the program enables participants to bond as a team and operate in a safe environment to maximise their learning potential and make the most of their time on the Challenge program.

Participants will then spend seven days in the Victorian bush completing a demanding, adventure based leadership and team development program, consisting of team building and adventure based activities including:

•              Bushwalking
•              White Water Rafting
•              Abseiling
•              Caving
•              Orienteering
•              Rock Climbing
•              Canoeing

The Challenge 2015 program will provide participants with the opportunities to:

•              Clarify personal values, and discover more about their potential;
•              Develop leadership skills and attributes;
•              Confront and overcome self-imposed limits;
•              Learn how to better relate to others;
•              Enhance self-motivation and personal performance; and
•              Be a supportive and creative team member.

This year’s Emergency Services Foundation – 3rd Volunteer Leaders Forum, will be held in Melbourne on Saturday and Sunday 3 and 4 May.

Volunteers who wish to attend can be current volunteer leaders or prospective volunteer leaders - download the application form and details below.

The format for this year’s forum will include Day 1 at the Novotel St Kilda and Day 2 with a tour of the new training facility at Craigieburn.

The event offers;

• „„ New Technology
• „„ Meet Industry Leaders And Agency Chiefs
• „„ Leadership Training
• „„ Key Site Tours
• „„ Emergency Management Updates
• „„ Networking

CFA has the opportunity to have 40 members attend, funded by the Foundation.

Members who wish to nominate to attend can do so by forwarding their nomination direct to the Emergency Services Foundation as per the contact details on the last page of the attachment.  Applications close on the 31st March 2014.

EXTRA COURSE ANNOUNCED - MELBOURNE BASED

APPLICATIONS CLOSE SOON

Courses based at Colac and Inverloch - and now an additional course based in Melbourne.

2014 VFBV Darley Volunteer Leadership Scholarship Program

Forty eight emergency services volunteers have now graduated from the course with the national recognised Certificate IV qualification in Front Line Management that benefits their volunteering, their careers and their communities.

The course is designed to be volunteer-friendly, with a mix of face-to-face class time and off-campus tasks, available in 2014 at Colac, Inverloch and Melbourne.

The course is open to volunteers from CFA, SES, Lifesaving Victoria, St John Ambulance, Australian Volunteer Coast Guard and Ambulance Victoria, and includes units on; Leadership, Decision making, Planning, Safety and risk management, Team effectiveness, Making presentations, Managing projects and Engaging the community.

The course adds to the participants' capabilities in useful skills such as public speaking, business writing and influencing.

It comprises a mixture of lecture style teaching and interactive activities plus a distance learning component designed to suit the needs of adult students.

For more information, click here for the information/application pack.

For the Melbourne-based course, click here for the information/application pack.

HR, Welfare and OH&S Joint 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)

CREATING OUR FUTURE TOGETHER

The committee discussed the Creating our Future Together project. Feedback regarding the recent round of presentations included:

• Timeframe is not sufficient for consideration of proposal.  It is difficult to align feedback timelines with Group meeting schedules, some groups only meet once every 2 months.. 
• There have been concerns raised that Ops people might be put under additional pressure with the structure.
• Implementation of the helpdesk concept will be critical to its success. A helpdesk might delay or duplicate issues if not implemented well.  There need to be clarity about what the issues that go to the helpdesk.  Need to make sure Districts are not left out of the loop with queries going to a help desk. 
  • Proposed model will need to incorporate support required during fire season.
  • Need to move decision making authority to the districts consistent with mission command principles.

CFA’s LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

Draft Leadership Framework was tabled for feedback. To date feedback has been positive with discussions including the role of situational leadership and the need to be adaptable as leaders. Committee members saw the value in integrating the framework into processes including succession and development. Discussion included the concept of Leaders at All Levels and the group identified key areas to integrate the framework into including Forums, skills maintenance and mentoring and coaching programs. There was acknowledgement that “Leadership” has been raised in many areas ie Jones Report/Royal Commission etc.  Feedback included:

• Strong agreement that it needs to reflect CFA member’s views and not be just a theoretical model. 
• Need to embed this in how we work - a person appointed to the role may not be the role they always perform, eg: a Brigade Captain or Group Officer could be a crew member on a strike team during a major incident.  Leadership roles vary and are contextual. Good leaders need to be able to be led by others in certain situations
• Delegations need to align to situational leadership.
• People need to be able to step in & out of leadership.
• Developing leaders for the future as a focus.  

OHS&E RESOURCES CONFIRMED AND ONGOING

CFA have advised that additional ongoing OHS&E positions have been approved for the deployment of dedicated OHS&E specialists across the CFA network. These much anticipated roles have been supported in some of the most difficult financial management times, yet these appointments are testament to the importance that Occupational Health, Safety and Environment must play in any organisation, including CFA.

VFBV was notifed of CFA’s decision recently and welcome the investment in dedicated resources to work with all members, much of the role requiring field presence and interaction. VFBV’s District Council networks will have specific interest in developing stong working relationships with these OHS&E personnel and look to integrate their own District and Council safety and environment work into the strong state network this initiative will offer.

APPLY NOW - VFBV’s Volunteer Leadership Program scholarships will be available again in 2017 and we are now calling for Expressions of Interest from potential participants.