VFBV

VFBV URGES NEW THINKING BY CFA

VFBV’s State Training Committee is pursuing a sensible approach to a phased or pathway model of skills and experiences to allow members to train and acquire breathing apparatus use and endorsement, targeting building skills, proficiency and member confidence.

In some parts of the State, artificial limits or barriers exist for members to be accepted for training and endorsement as BA Operators due to local rules that require a member to demonstrate competence in wearing and completing Search & Rescue operations in hostile hot fire simulated assessments at CFA’s Field Training Grounds.

VFBV’s position is simple, the complete BA / S&R competence is desirable and would be mandatory for a member who is tasked to enter a structure and conduct search and rescue activities, particularly in the pursuit of protecting life and property.  Our State Training Committee, supported by the State Operations Committee, is advocating for a common sense approach that would permit members to be introduced to BA along a skills acquisition and experience pathway.

Wearing BA as a modern day firefighter is no longer a specialist skill. VFBV argues that it is at the core of protection for members and capability of members to operate effectively in their fireground roles.  The concept VFBV is promoting would see members introduced to the equipment at brigades and dedicated training exercises, mentored and coached through the introductory phase of care and donning of the equipment and then nurtured and encouraged to operate the equipment under supervision at fires and incidents in order to protect themselves from irrespirable atmospheres and smoke. 

The ability to wear and operate BA at car fires, external structural fires, bin fires and of course grass & scrub and bushfires can only benefit the health and safety of the member and allow them to grow in confidence in the use of BA prior to any escalation of use in internal structural environments.

This would encourage members to wear and operate the equipment over a considerable introductory period under Brigade, Group and training instructor supervision until such time as they agree and are deemed ready to take up internal structural firefighter training.

Cost and opportunity barriers for brigades to nominate members to undergo familiarisation and assessments at CFA’s Field Training Grounds, plus the relatively low success rate (not to mention the dent to members’ confidence) could be mitigated by CFA adopting the approach VFBV is promoting.

A copy of the BA Pathways – Phased Approach to Competency VFBV Decision Paper is attached for download and brigade and member feedback.

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.