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There are some great incident management pilot courses coming up in September, so get involved.

The Incident Management pilot courses are offered on both weekends and during the week to provide more opportunities for you to be able to attend.

Two to consider are the Community Officer (commonly referred to as Community Liaison Officer) and Media Officer courses.

Community Liason Officer Pilot Course
Course 1: 04 - 05 September at SCC or Gisborne ICC
Course 2: 21 - 22 September at SCC or Gisborne ICC

Media Officer Pilot
Course 1: 14 - 15 September at SCC or Gisborne ICC
Course 2: 25 - 26 September at SCC or Gisborne ICC

Both of these have weekend spots available. Please note that the advertised closing dates have past for some of the courses but we are still taking nominations.

The Pilot courses are the latest Incident Management courses and therefore include improvements from the previous courses or are newly developed courses altogether. They have been developed by subject matter experts from across the agencies and have undergone extensive review and testing. In addition, pilot courses are delivered by highly experienced and qualified subject matter experts and trainers. These Pilot courses will provide the foundation you will need in the future and genuinely contribute to authorisation to perform your role.

If you are interested and would like more information, please contact your local Regional Incident Management Team Capability Coordinator (RICCs) – RICCs contacts. Please note you will require appropriate pre-requisites to attend the course. Your RICC can discuss this with you.

Regional IMT Capability Coordinators

Regional IMT Capability Coordinators support the Regional Commander and relevant functional managers in the development of the Regional Operational HR Plan and to develop incident management capability and capacity across the state.

The IMTTP (Incident Management Team Training Project) has recently published a new portal on Brigades Online to assisit with keeping members up to date on the progress of this project. You can find the new portal on BOL via the following link; http://cfaonline.cfa.vic.gov.au/mycfa/Show?pageId=imttp

The first update has been reproduced below, for those that do not have access to Brigades Online

Providing improved consistent training and supporting leadership development for incident management personnel in Victoria.

The intent of the Incident Management Team Training Project (IMTTP) is to improve the sustainability of training and capability of incident management personnel in Victoria. This will be achieved by developing common training packages, leadership and exercising frameworks, robust accreditation programs, coaching and mentoring programs and experience based learning tools. The project will provide a long lasting legacy that can be utilised by all agencies.

What is the reason for this project?

The IMTTP addresses the State Government’s response to the recommendations of the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission Final Report. It is focused on those recommendations directly related to the training of Incident Management Team members. For more details read the background document below.

A partnership approach - Multi Agency Capability Committee - Bushfire (MACC)

The IMTTP works in partnership with the Multi-Agency Capability Committee-Bushfire (MACC), established in 2011, to achieve multi-agency, multi-hazard outcomes wherever practicable and reports through to the Service Delivery Group, chaired by the Fire Services Commissioner (FSC).

Achievements - Where we are at?

The IMTTP is working in two key project areas -

1. Training Development - covering incident level 2 training programs and leadership development courses
2. Capability Frameworks and Programs - covering accreditation, coaching and mentoring and exercising

In the Training Development Project thus far, the project has successfully piloted a number of multi-agency training packages. The aim is to have 12 piloted by the end of December 2013. The project has also delivered 18 Fireline Leadership Courses and 2 Incident Leadership courses in 2012.

In the Capability Frameworks and Programs Project we have accredited 48 Level 3 Incident Controllers, held two pilot Cobaw staff rides, delivered 94 Vector Tactical Sessions and 11 Vector IMT Sessions in 2012. Work is also well underway with the Predictive Services Strategy and incident management frameworks.

FAQ's and more information on the IMTTP project is available via the download links at the bottom of this page.

UPDATED 13 SEPTEMBER 2013

Initial indications from the CFA/VFBV Planned Burning survey have highlighted the frustration Brigades are experiencing with overly prescriptive permit conditions.

The early results suggest many Brigades were interpreting the guidelines in the permits as strict conditions, so CFA plans to review the wording and language used on the permit template that is issued to brigades for approved planned burns.

Having pressed for change and assisted with dissemination of the survey, VFBV hopes changed language on the permits, refined instructions and better information on what levels of flexibility are considered compliant within the permit conditions will build Brigades’ confidence that the permit conditions are achievable.

Progress update: Funding to continue moving forward
Update by: CFA CEO Mick Bourke

CFA has welcomed the $16.8 million funding announced by the Victorian Government in its Budget which enables us to continue our important upgrades at CFA training campuses - in particular Fiskville Training College.

The additional funding will secure the future of Fiskville as a firefighter training facility for decades to come and is a strong vote of support from the government for what we’re doing.

It will be used to fully implement the 10 recommendations of Professor Rob Joy’s Understanding the Past to Inform the Future report, as well as the additional health and environmental initiatives introduced by the CFA Board.

More than $10 million has already been spent to address concerns around the historical use of chemicals for live firefighting training at Fiskville since CFA was made aware of the issue in December 2011, including the cost of the Professor Robert Joy Investigation.

Two important milestones in our work with the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) have been achieved since welcoming its oversight of plans to assess and manage environmental matters at Fiskville:

• Plans for site upgrades and risk assessments have been reviewed and accepted by EPA and are now well progressed
• The scope of the independent audit has been approved, and the EPA statutory environmental auditor will be delivering an independent audit by 30 December 2013.

Designs have been prepared for the first stage of upgrades to the site and were presented to CFA and representatives from the relevant permitting authorities last week. This includes plans to divert a local creek around Lake Fiskville to minimise off-site discharges and plans to upgrade storm water systems around the PAD in preparation for the installation of a new water treatment plant.

CFA has worked closely with WorkSafe, as the relevant workplace safety authority, to ensure the safety of the site and it has indicated it remains comfortable with training at Fiskville, including the use of fuels, fire suppression fluids and water.

An additional search for buried drums was undertaken by Cardno Lane Piper in two locations − south of the airstrip and on the golf course − and none has been found on site.

These are extremely positive steps and reaffirm CFA's commitment to ensure this program of work is done right and that we remain open and transparent as we implement the recommendations from Professor Joy's Report.

As recommended by Professor Joy, Cardno Lane Piper is now undertaking analysis to prepare key reports including three human health risk assessments (on site occupational, on site Fiskville community and downstream) and an ecological study of Lake Fiskville and downstream. These assessments are in consultation with one of Australia’s leading toxicologists.    

These studies are complex and time consuming, and the reports are expected to be completed in the coming months. This will set out the further remediation work necessary as well as the best future water training system to ensure that Fiskville complies with the highest possible standards in environmental management and occupational health and safety.

The voluntary health surveillance program has now been taken up by over 108 people from the high and medium risk of exposure categories and the Health and Welfare team is continuing to contact people who meet the risk criteria and encourage them to participate in the program.

I have conveyed my thanks to the Fiskville staff for all they have had to endure from the heavy and often less-than-balanced public scrutiny, their ongoing daily work and their perseverance. CFA appreciates their efforts and support as we work through this project that will result in a better training facility for everyone.

The Chief Officer has today released Operations Bulletin 003/2013: Planned Burn Notification Process.

Bulletin can be downloaded from the bottom of this page.

Issue 4, 24 March 2013

Quick snapshot of the priority issues and actions worked through at the most recent Joint Committee meeting between CFA and VFBV. (Meeting held 24/03/2013)

VOLUNTEER DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (VSP)

Progress Update: There have been over 680 applications for 22 defined positions.  These were advertised in a variety of outlets and April 8^th will see the Program Manager and Project Managers commence duty.  Project Co-ordinator and Project Officer Position interviews for the remaining 18 positions are underway, VFBV being asked to participate as members of the interview panels. 

Lex De Man and Kate Harrap have expressed a willingness to attend any VFBV meetings so that people can better understand and also have ownership of the program.  This Program has taken a long time to get to this important point, and the next 15 months of field and research work is critical to the design of future support needs for volunteers.  The programme will be set up for the future, with funding available after the end of next financial year so that the future initiatives defined during this phase can be embedded into CFA as ongoing support to volunteers.

LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

Monique Longhurst (CFA Manager Leadership Capability) is the person charged with the responsibility to develop a Leadership Framework for ALL CFA members.  She is seeking input to assist with this task which will define an overarching leadership framework for CFA.  This step will define a common thread for leadership within CFA.

The other purpose is also to retain the knowledge and experience of all leadership levels, not just put them on the “scrapheap”.  Any ideas please let the committee know.

Five questions were asked of the committee regarding leadership.

1 How do you describe CFA leadership at present?

2 What kind of leadership gets rewarded at CFA?

3 What does the leadership of CFA need to be in order to deliver our vision and strategic plan?

4 What does CFA do well in terms of leadership?

5 What are some of the barriers to effective leadership?

CFA is also developing a Brigade / Group Management Team toolkit folder which will be useful for new / current officers to assist them in their roles.  CFA will look at trying to capture what brigades are currently doing (good success stories) so they don’t “reinvent the wheel”.

NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK

Will be held on 13 - 19 May, this is a yearly recognition campaign and follows the Federal campaign of "thanks a million".  Targeted activities will be locally, regionally based as well as metropolitan (Federation Square, will use the big screen).  CFA has had good publicity to date with a “Queen of Moomba” around Melbourne and Regional areas have also been in attendance at championships.

CFA is planning activities to bring Volunteers into Headquarters to have a look and investigating options for a formal state-wide calendar for activities.

For next year CFA will investigate having aTorchlight parade in Melbourne – to promote CFA to celebrate the 70th anniversary in 2014.  VFBV delegates please discuss with brigades and volunteers the events and initiatives to mark CFA’s 70^th anniversary.

Issue 4, 24th March2013

Quick snapshot of the priority issues and actions worked through at the most recent Joint Committee meeting between CFA and VFBV. (Meeting held 24/03/2013)

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY OFFICERS

OH & S arrangements will be changing within CFA. There is an obligation to maintain vigilance in matters of safety and the CFA is currently investigating the best way to provide this. There is a lot of organisational restructure occurring as a result of budget cuts and this is resulting in CFA considering what tasks are of a lower priority and what activities they can cease. They are considering that there is a need to employ a person to be specifically dedicated to the oversight of common standards and processes across each of the training campuses. However, this will leave a gap in OH & S when brigades are not at a training campus. At present an options paper is not available.

REVIEW OF VOLUNTEER DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES

Consideration of CFA Regulations is being undertaken. CFA considers that formal charges would be dealt with by the Chief Officer or his representatives, the Deputy Chief Officers. VFBV and CFA are in agreement that there is a need for involvement of the HR Department. Further consultation between VFBV & CFA is required to continue to progress this issue.

VOLUNTEER COMPENSATION PATHWAYS MATRIX

Information about the Volunteer Compensation Pathway is available on the CFA Intranet. As yet a flow chart has not been developed. The current Regulations and CFA Act need to be amended to better support volunteer compensation. To enable this CFA has appointed someone to specifically work on this project and identify issues of concern and align these with current practices. CFA tries to be flexible and look at the needs of individual claimants when providing compensation cover for injury claims. It is important to note that statistics presented indicate a decline in the number of injuries in recent years.

Issue 4, 24 March 2013

Quick snapshot of the priority issues and actions worked through at the most recent Joint Committee meeting between CFA and VFBV. (Meeting held 24/03/2013)

2012/13 SUMMER CAMPAIGN DEBRIEFS

Delegates to the CFA/VFBV Joint Operations committee have requested CFA to actively plan, support and engage with volunteers as part of this year’s debrief process, in order to provide sufficient opportunity for feedback and comment on any issues encountered during this seasons summer campaign fires, and to ensure issues relating to volunteer utilization, support, welfare and optimisation are not overlooked in any multi-agency, whole of sector debrief process.

Concerns that issues raised and documented in previous years reports go unanswered and continue to occur, and that volunteers are becoming increasingly reluctant to participate in formal debriefs due to the perception that ‘nothing ever changes’, delegates have requested that CFA make a strong commitment to volunteers that any issues arising from this year’s debriefs be analysed and acted upon, and that a formal reporting process be put in place to address any issues arising and track progress against actions.

The committee is formally writing to the CFA Chief Officer to seek his endorsement and support of this approach, and seeking the involvement of the Joint Operations Committee in the planning and subsequent analysis of issues arising.

Delegates have requested closer collaboration and volunteer engagement with CFA following the release of CFA’s first quarterly progress report. The committee has identified 10 actions that relate directly to the Operations committee, and whose reported status highlight a lack of engagement with both the committee and volunteers in general. The committee is pursuing greater transparency in each actions reporting, and a more proactive approach to engaging with both the committee and volunteers in general over the desired outcomes and strategies not only in the implementation stages, but more importantly in the planning and strategy phases of each action to ensure volunteers are not just passengers to reform, but active and influential partners.

An example of actions the committee is seeking closer engagement on is reforms to the Section 29 process, Removing barriers to volunteer involvement in IMT’s, Implementation of a Brigade support and planning model that focusses on building, supporting and maintaining volunteer capacity at brigade level, developing inclusive and proactive action plans for Integrated Brigades, reviewing and modernising the discipline process to enable early and local intervention and identifying any practices that inhibit volunteer utilisation in the delivery of any portion of CFA service delivery such as specialist response and IMT training in accordance with 6(i) of the CFA Act.

CFA REGULATIONS REVIEW

The CFA Regulations have a sunset clause of January 2014, however CFA have requested and been approved for an extension to January 2015. CFA has agreed to work with VFBV to document the structure and process by which they will be receiving comment and feedback on any planned changes to the regulations, to ensure volunteers have sufficient and adequate time to be consulted on any changes proposed in the review. Delegates are reviewing a draft timeline and process and will shortly be seeking feedback on changes that volunteers may wish to propose.

Issue 4, 24th March 2013

Quick snapshot of the priority issues and actions worked through at the most recent Joint Committee meeting between CFA and VFBV. (Meeting held 24/03/2013)

INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM TRAINING PROJECT – IMTTP

This extensive project led by CFA seeks to improve the sustainability of training and capability of incident management personnel for Victoria. The project will provide a long lasting legacy that can be utilised by all agencies. This will be achieved by developing common training packages, leadership and exercising frameworks, robust accreditation programs, coaching and mentoring programs and experience based learning tools. The IMT Training Project commenced in June 2010 and will be complete in June 2014. It has been funded at $24.7M.

VFBV delegates expressed concerns that project progress has been slow, there is little understood about the arrangements to transition the outcomes into business as usual and that little effort has been applied to engage volunteers during early piloting of new IMT training programs.

STRUCTURAL CREW LEADER/ RESPOND TO URBAN FIRE / BA

The project has submitted a memorandum to the CO regarding a proposed new training framework for Structural Firefighting which addresses flaws in the previous framework particularly around the issues of BA operation.  The memorandum submitted to the CO supports the concepts raised in the VFBV State Council Decision Paper - Requirement for Additional Breathing Apparatus Competency dated December 2012.

The project indicated that a Draft Learning and Assessment Strategy is due for completion by 31 March 2012 and a pilot course was currently being arranged for 20/21 April and 4/5 May 2013 to evaluate the learning and assessment strategy.

OPERATIONAL TRAINING STRATEGY 2013 -2018

James Stitz provided a presentation on the CFA’s Operational Training Strategy – 2013-2018 which after a period of consultation and feedback from CFA members has consolidated into a forward looking document that as it stands has 6 key goals, each with 2-4 objectives.  Actions are provided with each objective to further illustrate required strategic directions for each of the goals. Next steps are to seek endorsement for the Strategy from key stakeholders including VFBV prior to presentation to the CFA Board. 

Consultation with CFA members has found that the strongest interest areas in training focus on equality, transparency, consistency, access, valuing volunteer time, providing more flexible training delivery, improving training materials, supporting Brigades and Groups to determine and deliver training programs, an imperative for real fire training, leadership recognition and development, and maintaining a clear view on the diversity of needs between rural, regional and metropolitan brigades.

MOBILE TRAINING PROPS – FIELD TRIAL UNDERWAY

CFA has taken possession of the 3 prototype mobile training props following a long and at times frustrating statutory approvals process. Given these training props are a first in concept and design, a state-wide trial is now underway with scheduled sessions in all 8 CFA Regions over the remainder of 2013. Volunteers, brigades and Groups are encouraged to try them out and step forward and take a lead role in being prepared to assist with coordination and train to be operators/instructors.

As a first concept, the trial aims to determine the suitability of this style of training prop as well as determining the number required and other types of mobile training gear that volunteers and brigades would welcome as well. Designed to be coordinated and operated by volunteers for volunteers, the trial will also seek out interested volunteers across all CFA Districts to be selected, trained and endorsed as Field Training Operators/Instructors. CFA MTD’s are the key point of contact for participation enquiries.

Issue 4, 24 March 2013

Quick snapshot of the priority issues and actions worked through at the most recent Joint Committee meeting between CFA and VFBV. (Meeting held 27/10/2012)

PROTOTYPE HEAVY TANKERS

VFBV has written to the Chief Officer expressing deep dissatisfaction and concern over the revised specifications of the 10 Prototype Heavy Tankers due to go out to Brigades shortly for evaluation. Due to a change in the transmission ordered for these trucks, the vehicle is limited to a maximum of speed of 10km per hour when operating the pump. Delegates have requested the Chief Officer provide written advice and an operational review of the truck to ascertain any safety implications of this limitation, as well as the effect on operational effectiveness and to ensure any brigade receiving the truck for evaluation is aware of the limitation.

Disappointingly, this change to specification was made without any input or consultation of the working party or committee. The committee has raised concern over how this change may prejudice the evaluation of the Iveco cab chassis which provides greater torque, weight allowance and small turning circles, but has been crippled by a down spec’d transmission. A transmission without this limitation is available from the manufacturer. The committee will continue to seek resolution so that a fair and robust evaluation of these vehicles can be made across the state.

The Committee is evaluating one of the Heavy Tanker Prototypes that has been fitted with a tyre inflation kit. The vehicle is undergoing user testing and feedback in Districts 17 & 18. The kit allows the tyres to be automatically deflated/inflated to match sandy conditions. This would potentially resolve the issue of having to use ‘Super Singles’ on tankers earmarked for Sandy conditions – which come with a much reduced weight capacity.

RED PLATING OF BRIGADE OWNED VEHICLES

A State Council Discussion paper that outlines a CFA proposal to red-plate Brigade Owned Vehicles has now been sent to all District Councils for feedback & discussion prior to endorsement at April’s State Council on the 21^st April. The committee has recommended State Council endorse the proposal in principle, with a couple of amendments to ensure brigades can be adequately consulted and engaged during the process.

NEW CONCEPT LIGHT TANKER & SLIP-ON EVALUATIONS

The committee has agreed to piggy back on the work that DSE are currently undertaking, which is seeing the DSE trial 6 new concept vehicles consisting of 3 Light Tankers, and 3 Slip-ons. The committee is seeking to monitor and review DSE’s evaluation, with the possibility of a joint agency approach to these light vehicles. Further information and specifications is being requested from the DSE.

5 YEAR STATION TOILET PROGRAM

The committee is monitoring a new 5 year strategy which seeks to ensure every brigade would have sufficient toilet and washroom facilities. 21 toilets have been funded for the current financial year.

Issue 4, 24 March 2013

Quick snapshot of the priority issues and actions worked through at the most recent Joint Committee meeting between CFA and VFBV. (Meeting held 24/03/2013)

PLANNED BURNING SURVEY 2013

Given significant community, government and agency interest in increasing the amount of burning conducted throughout Victoria since the Bushfires Royal Commission, VFBV are working with CFA to finalise a survey which will shortly be sent to Brigades, that will ask brigades to indicate their level of interest and capability/capacity to be involved in future burns. VFBV is advocating stronger support for brigades who wish to participate in more of these activities, as well as access to sufficient resources and training opportunities for brigades seeking greater involvement. The opportunity to remove administrative and bureaucratic barriers and disincentives is also being scoped, as well as a recognition of the importance of burns on not only public land, but private land, including road and rail corridors.    

Recognising there are significant limitations on how much planned burning volunteer fire brigades can do  and that planned burning is a high risk activity requiring trained and experienced fire fighters and resources, the survey asks questions about brigade participation, past, present and future.

Delegates have long advocated more formal recognition not only on the role of community safety in brigades, but also access to formal support, resources, training and skills acquisition for brigade members wishing to be more involved in this aspect. Delegates are currently reviewing draft documentation arising from the Brigade Classification and Membership Project, which is now advocating a new BMT role called the “Brigade Community Safety Coordinator”. This role is seen to be one of coordinating and overseeing brigade activities in the area of fire prevention and preparedness. It may also include activities which will build relationships which will help better understand community needs.

It is not seen to be the Coordinator’s role to necessarily deliver these activities.  The role may include coordinating brigade activities and overseeing brigade members’ activities in the following areas: Vegetation Management (Fuel Reduction); Fire Prevention; Community Education and Information; and Community Engagement and Relations. Delivery of these activities will be influenced by brigade local risk and brigade structure and relevant training and resources would support the Brigade Community Safety Coordinator. The committee is also reviewing a draft resource kit which would be available for brigades.

RESIDENTIAL FIRE SAFETY CAMPAIGNS 2013

This year there are two residential awareness campaigns: the Smoke Alarm Campaign & the Home Fire Safety Campaign.

The Smoke Alarm Campaign now in its 13^th consecutive year, is a national campaign in partnership with Duracell and Australian Fire Services. Its simple message with a single action “Change Your Clock, Change Your Smoke Alarm” is effective and each year a spike in battery sales indicates community response. The campaign aims to reduce fire fatalities by raising the awareness of the importance of working smoke alarms. Local brigade and regional engagement supports the effectiveness of the campaign launched April 5^th.

The Home Fire Safety Campaign acknowledges the fact that house fires happen all year round. The campaign runs all year but will commence in May this year and is a joint MFB/CFA campaign. Campaign aim is to ensure all Victorians understand fire safety in their own home is their responsibility.

Issue 4, 24th March 2013

Quick snapshot of the priority issues and actions worked through at the most recent Joint Committee meeting between CFA and VFBV. (Meeting held 24/03/2013)

EAS PAGER REPLACEMENT PROGRAM

VFBV have received advice that ESTA and CFA will trial 400 of the re-configured and re-programmed Alpha Legend pagers from mid April 2013, the exact timing being subject to the pagers availability from the manufacturer. As indicated VFBV has sought wide distribution of the pagers to ensure at the very least all CFA Groups have the opportunity to be part of the validation testing. CFA Groups having active engagement with their member brigades have the best opportunity to consult and brief their brigades on the progress and outcomes given the short time frames available for validation testing. In addition, brigades that participated in the limited pilot in late 2012 that raised so many concerns and negative feedback also be included in the further field trial.

Currently CFA has the first 25 of these pagers allocated to selected members who have commenced their evaluation side by side with the current Infostream X3 pager.

VFBV has sought a robust and transparent feedback process to be incorporated and that simplified and ‘easy to follow’ setup instructions be incorporated into the upcoming trail.

RADIO BLACK SPOT REMEDIATION PROGRAM

The ongoing upgrade of equipment at defined sites and the access to new sites in many locations plus agreement to access sites operated by CFA’s Paging Service provider is offering quicker and cheaper solutions to improve radio blackspot problems. CFA have mapped the entire State and with this recent agreement and improved access CFA Technology Services staff are confident that their upgrade program will be completed within their target 4 year timeframe.

This project has stalled several times since the previous State Labor Government allocated to CFA $45M to build and operate a digitally capable Regional Radio Dispatch System. Delayed most recently due to budgetary constraints, CFA expects an announcement soon that the project will progress quickly, delivering improved radio dispatch services throughout Victoria. The outcomes for CFA will see all 1220+ brigades connected to Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system, where ESTA will ‘hatch and dispatch’ all brigades effectively upgrading VICFIRE Category 1 dispatch to more than 900 brigades across the State that today have Category 5 or slightly better Dispatch support. An announcement of the successful provider to upgrade and operate the RDS will be made by Government soon.

VFBV has made a submission in response to the Australian Communications and Media Authorities (ACMA) discussion paper on Broadband Spectrum Allocation – part of a re-cut of the network space assigned to commercial providers and including that valuable space made available to Emergency Service Agencies. In October 2012, an expert panel made recommendations to ACMA and subsequently ACMA to the Federal Government to define the space allocations that should be ‘up for grabs’ by commercial entities ie the big telcos and broadcasters. Space has been squeezed for Public Safety Agencies with 10mHz allocated as being sufficient for future needs.

VFBV in collaboration with the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials - Australia and New Zealand (APCO) and the Australian Radio Communications Industry Association (ARCIA) prepared a response outlining the dangers in not allocating sufficient network space particularly in times of exponential technological advancements and network hungry data and visual applications that chew up network space. The use of video images and streamed data flows will become the norm not the exception in future emergency service activities. VFBV along with many PSA’s are advocating for a rethink to set aside double the space – 20MHz and not sell off the network for a quick dollar.

The Rural State Championships are taking place this weekend on Saturday 6th April for the Seniors, and Sunday 7th April for the Juniors.

Documents

At the bottom of this page, you will find links to the following documents;

1. Draw of Events (For Both Seniors & Juniors)
   
   Please note that there was a late entry for Shepparton B, which will now be Team 25 across all events in C Division. Also please note, that pursuant to a resolution last year by the State Competition Committee no requests for Division Downgrades have been granted. All teams will be ranked on the previous years results following each years Championships. Only teams that have not competed within the previous 3 years will be automatically added to C Division. This was done to ensure fairness and equity in the divisional rankings - as requests by brigades to be downgraded could neither be policed or the reasons for the downgrade verified. The new system provides a level playing field.
   
   
2. Track Officials Roster
   
   
3. Make-up Personnel Roster
   
   Please note: names are provided as a guide only. The Brigade is responsible to ensure someone is available when their brigade is rostered. You do not need to notify us of changes to the name or person. Make-up personnel will be called by brigade names only.
   
   
4. Map of Werribee Park
   
   Entry is via Gate 2, which runs of K Road. When you come of the freeway - follow the signs to Werribee Open Park Zoo & Mansion - and there will be signs to direct you to the championships site.
   
   
   
5. An electronic copy of this years Program. Printed hard copies will be available on site.
   
   

Good luck to all competing teams, and we wish you all an enjoyable and satisfying State Championships.

The CFA Chief Officer has approved a new Policy on the old Woollen Black Turnouts Coats, reversing a previous ban.

They will now be officially called the "Interim Warm Jacket" and can be worn where members would normally wear WildFire PPC, except for when heat buildup is an issue.  

The new policy provides guidance on when they can be worn and how Incident Controllers can determine when they are appropriate. The policy is largely consistent with VFBV's submission to the Chief Officer dated 11th July 2012, which argued for a common sense approach and that CFA should use the existing jackets until there is funding and approval for a replacement Jacket which could take years.  VFBV delegates have been working with CFA through the Joint State PPE/C Committee to progress this issue over many months.

CFA and VFBV have agreed restrictions should continue on their use in the structural environment, however the new policy allows for a risk assessment to be carried out and now gives Incident Controllers the authority to authorise their use where it is deemed appropriate.

The Joint State PPE/C Committee is evaluating alternate cold climate garments to prepare for a future funding bid.

The new policy can be downloaded from below.

VFBV publishes a regular full page column on Page 2 of FireWise (formerly The Fireman), the monthly newspaper for all Victorian firefighters.

Our column includes an editorial on the big picture issues facing volunteers and the Emergency Management sector in Victoria, as well as a selection of the latest from CFA and the Joint Committees.

You can download our latest column below, or click here to subscribe to receive the complete FireWise newspaper at the FireWise website.

You can also get the latest in our email newsletter following each FireWise column or VFBV’s popular Two Minute Briefing from the VFBV/CFA Joint Committees.

To register for the VFBV email newsletter or the Two Minute Briefing click here.

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

You can also follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/vfbv or on Instagram @volunteer_fire_brigades_vic

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The VFBV Quarterly Supplement is produced four times a year and distributed with the Fire-Wise newspaper.

PDF versions are available below.

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Filename	Size	Date
202409-VFBVQuarterlySupplement_September2024	4.76 MB
202406-VFBVQuarterlySupplement_June2024	3.49 MB
202403-VFBVQuarterlySupplement_March2024	3.68 MB
202312-VFBVQuarterlySupplement_December2023	3.36 MB
202309-VFBVQuarterlySupplement_September2023	3.58 MB
202306-VFBVQuarterlySupplement_June2023	8.8 MB
202303-VFBVQuarterlySupplement_March2023	8.63 MB
202212-VFBVQuarterlySupplement_December2022	3.95 MB
202209-VFBVQuarterlySupplement_September2022	8.04 MB
202206-VFBVQuarterlySupplement_June2022	7.32 MB
202203-VFBVQuarterlySupplement_March2022	4.01 MB
202112-VFBVQuarterlySupplement_December2021	6.69 MB
202109-VFBVQuarterlySupplement_September2021-web	5.08 MB
202106-VFBVQuarterlySupplement_June2021-web	3.88 MB
202103-VFBVQuarterlySupplement_March2021	2.83 MB
202012-VFBVQuarterlySupplement_December2020_web	755.51 KB
202009-VFBVQuarterlySupplement_September2020	2.83 MB
202006-VFBVQuarterlySupplement_June2020	1.92 MB
202002-VFBVQuarterlySupplement_February2020-web	1017.13 KB
201911-VFBVQuarterlySupplement_Nov-2019	851.21 KB

This page is a resource for volunteers, with a wide range of useful documents for download, including;

• VFBV Annual Reports
• VFBV Notes for Members and News Notes for MPs, explaining major issues like fleet   funding, presumptive legislation – the firefighters’ cancer law – and volunteer concerns over industrial interference in CFA
• Reports and data analysis from the annual VFBV Volunteer Welfare & Efficiency Survey
• The CFA Volunteer Charter
• The VFBV Volunteer Welfare Fund Brochure
• The VFBV Constitution
• The Volunteer Code of Conduct
• The VFBV Brigade Delegate pack, containing useful information and resources for volunteers representing their Brigades at VFBV District Council meetings

To find VFBV's monthly newsletter, our Page 2 column in FireWise, click here.

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Filename	Size	Date
Older Documents
2MinuteBriefingPackageDecember2014	2 MB
VFBV Constitution 2012	1.06 MB
2014 VFBV Brigade Delegate Pack	1.08 MB
2014 VFBV Volunteer Welfare and Efficiency Survey	3.01 MB
20100727 - VFBV News Note to MPs - Volunteers Back Premiers Decision	599.81 KB
20100909 - VFBV News Note to MPs - Union Deal a Setback	523.62 KB
20101116 - VFBV News Note - Special State Council Meeting	545.27 KB
20130913 - VFBV News Note - Presumptive legislation	299.54 KB
20140303 - VFBV News Note - CFA Fleet Funding	756.98 KB
20140409 - VFBV Notes for MPs - Firefighters Cancer Law	362.23 KB
20140515 - VFBV Notes for Volunteers - Cancer Campaign Trust Fund	551.36 KB
20140612 - VFBV Brief to Members on FAP Operations	390.63 KB
20140612 - VFBV News Note to Volunteers - Firefighters Assessment Panel	351.92 KB
20141126 - Urgent News Note from VFBV	449.46 KB
20150924 - VFBV Notes for Volunteers - Fire Services Review	436.98 KB
20151012 - VFBV Notes for Volunteers - Firefighters Cancer Law	560.65 KB
20160420 - VFBV Note to Members - Latest Reports on CFA-UFU EBA Negotiation Developments	361.42 KB
20160802 - VFBV Note to Members - VFBV-CFA Consultation on Operational Staff EBA	509.13 KB
20160816 - VFBV Note to Members - CFA and EBA Supreme Court Action	468.95 KB
20160816 - VFBV Note to Members - CFA and the EBA	468.84 KB
20160819 - VFBV Note to Members - EBA to go to Court	517.1 KB
20160905 - VFBV News Note - Fundraising Update for Members	755.61 KB
CFA Volunteers Cancer Petition - 50 Page Kit FINAL	866.14 KB
CFA Volunteers Cancer Petition - Full Kit	626.34 KB
VFBV 2 Minute Briefing - December 2015	2.4 MB
VFBV 2 Minute Briefing - December 2016	454.64 KB
VFBV Annual Report 2012-13	12.64 MB
VFBV Annual Report 2013-14	4.14 MB
VFBV Annual Report 2014-15	2.74 MB
VFBV Constitution - amended 15 September 2013	338.07 KB
VFBV Welfare and Efficiency Report 2013	2.49 MB
VFBV Welfare and Efficiency Report Trends 2012-13	1.43 MB
VFBV Welfare and Efficiency Survey - Summary for Participants	645.52 KB
VFBV Welfare and Efficiency Survey Final Report 2012	2.36 MB
Volunteer Charter 2011	2.39 MB
Volunteer Code Of Conduct	361.75 KB
Welfare Fund Brochure	444.59 KB

The Fund began its long history of helping volunteers in need in 1913, when it was first established by urban volunteers as the VUFBA Welfare Fund.

On 1 November 2008, the newly formed Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria, with generous support from the Victorian Government, launched the VFBV Welfare Fund and extended that offer of support to all CFA volunteers.

Over the years, the Fund has helped close to 1,200 volunteers, with more than $1.8 million in grants, and today more than 1,000 CFA Brigades subscribe to the Fund each year.

For the 2018/2019 financial year, the VFBV Welfare Fund distributed a total of $96,735 to assist 30 volunteers in need.

The Fund works as a capital fund and offers small grants to CFA volunteers, long serving former volunteers and their families, who are experiencing significant financial hardship.  Typical cases involve prolonged illness, bereavement, loss of earnings, or the accommodation and travel costs associated with supporting a relative in hospital.

The Welfare Fund is run under Australian Tax Office rules, independently audited, uses only State Government approved investments, and the welfare grant and investment decisions are made by a committee of long serving CFA volunteers. Investments are managed to provide an enduring fund that has existed since 1913 and ensures volunteers now and in the future are protected by fund income that outperforms inflation and minimises annual brigade subscriptions for each member brigade. 

To subscribe to the Welfare Fund, Brigades must be affiliated with VFBV, which covers the operating costs so that any money the Fund receives is used entirely to help volunteers in need.

You can download the VFBV Volunteer Welfare Fund brochure here.

Public and Corporate donations are welcome. If you would like to donate to the Fund please contact the VFBV office on (03) 9886 1141.

Click on the below link to make an online donation via GiveNow:

Or Direct Deposits can be sent to the following account: 

Delegates of the CFA/VFBV Joint Operations Committee were pleased to receive a report from the Chief Officer on the beginning of his review into the Role of Group.

The first meeting of the Role of Group project team took place on the 31st July 2012.

The Role of Group Working Party have now completed a Draft Concept Document for consultation and discussion with the field regarding the Role of Group. Whilst the role of Group is much broader than just readiness and response, the first phase of the review was to consider the role of group in strengthening local command and control within CFA.

The CFA/VFBV Role of Group Working Party is about to begin consultation on the review’s first phase; strengthening local command and control within CFA.

BACKGROUND

On the 12th July 2012, the Chief Officer signed off on to the Terms of Reference for his review of the role of the group. A working party was formed to progress the review;

Country Fire Authority (CFA)
The Official public website of the victorian Country Fire Authority

CFA Online (Brigades Online)
Private site for CFA Members only

CFA Pix
CFA's official image gallery

Emergency Memberlink
Emergency Memberlink is a recognition program for CFA and VICSES staff and volunteers that provides benefits and discounts to our members.

Australasian Fire Authorities Council AFAC
The Australasian Fire Authorities Council (AFAC) is a peak fire and emergency services industry body established by its members to collaborate on matters of international, national and regional importance.

Australian Government Disaster Assist

Australian Government assistance to Australians affected by disasters, both in Australia and overseas. 

Bushfire CRC
Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre

Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE)
The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) is Victoria's lead government agency for sustainable management of water resources, climate change, bushfires, public land, forests and ecosystems.

Emergency Management Australia (EMA)
EMA pursues a cooperative and collaborative relationship with Australian Government agencies such as the Department of Finance and Administration, Geoscience Australia and the Bureau of Meteorology.

Bureau of Meteorology (BOM)
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology is a world-class national meteorological agency providing expertise and services to assist Australians in dealing with the harsh realities of our
natural environment, including drought, floods, fires, storms, tsunami and tropical cyclones.

The Fireman
Since 1947 ‘The Fireman’ has provided news and information to CFA brigades, keeping fire-fighters up to date on developments within the organisation.

Victorian Emergency Services Association (VESA)
VESA was formed in 1983 with the objective of providing a focus for representing the views of Volunteers of VICSES on issues which affect them.

Youth Central
Youth Central is the Victorian Government's web-based initiative for young people aged 12-25

CAVFA

The Council of Australian Volunteer Fire Associations (CAVFA) is a collaboration of eleven volunteer fire brigade associations within Australia. The Council was established to give volunteer fire-fighters a united voice in discussions and negotiations with government and key stakeholders.

CFA in consultation with VFBV is about to undertake a project to issue a quantity of wild fire helmet torches to all brigades. Funding for the project has been successfully obtained through a State Government initiative. Torches will not be individually (personally) allocated, but rather a cache (based on 1 torch per seat) will be allocated to each bushfire fire-fighting vehicle, along with adequate stowage.

The VFBV Gold Star and Brigade Life Member Jewel have been re-designed to a court mounted style, which ensures CFA and VFBV awards are the same length when worn in the correct position above the pocket. 

VFBV hosted Fire Services Commissioner Craig Lapsley at its September State Council/AGM weekend to provide an opportunity for volunteers to give feedback on the State’s First Bushfire Plan.

VFBV has written to the Chief Officer expressing significant concern about CFA’s failure to address issues relating to the Emergency Medical Response (EMR) Integrated Brigade Pilot and requesting his intervention. 

In addressing the VFBV Annual General Meeting, the Chief Officer has responded by committing to chairing a meeting of the EMR Committee to get things moving.

The first three Mobile Training Props are now undergoing Brigade evaluation.  They are designed to take hot fire training to Brigades and Groups that are remote from CFA’s Field Training Grounds.

Volunteers, Brigades and Groups are encouraged to try them out and take a lead role by training to be operators/instructors and being prepared to assist with coordination.

The mobile training props are the first of a number of possible designs, and provide practical training for car fire, industrial and domestic scenarios.

Built to fit in their own shipping containers, these LPG fuelled self-contained props are easily transported and set up.

The trial aims to determine their suitability, the number required and other types of mobile training gear that volunteers and Brigades would fine useful. 

Real opportunities exist for individual brigades or Groups to take the initiative and assist with the scheduling and conduct of valuable hot fire training with these mobile training props.

Contact your MTD with any participation enquiries. 

2013 PILOT TRIAL SCHEDULE

CFA, in consultation with VFBV, is about to issue wildfire helmet torches to all brigades.

One torch per seat will be allocated for each bushfire firefighting vehicle.

Part of the project’s aim is to ensure all wildfire helmets have a base fitted to allow a torch to be fitted when needed, so CFA needs to establish the quantity and locations of helmets that require retrofitting.

A survey is being distributed with options for the Brigade, an outside contractor to visit brigades, or sending helmets to District for fitting. CFA is also considering making fittings available at large District events (such as pre-season updates & meetings).

The surveys can be returned to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or fax (03) 9763 4825, or by calling the FIRS reporting line on 1800 628 844.

Brigades are urged to respond ASAP so immediate arrangements can be made prior.

Volunteers in Western Australia have had good news on legislation for a simplified path to cancer compensation, with their State Government promising presumptive legislation to include volunteers and career firefighters.

CFA members are invited to apply for Emergency Services Foundation scholarships for 2013.

The Emergency Services Foundation was established following the Ash Wednesday bushfires in 1983. It operates as a trust to provide immediate support for those who suffer hardship as a result of the death of a family member or injuries sustained in the line of duty.