VFBV

Not long ago, VFBV delegates raised the issue of volunteer dissatisfaction with pre-summer information and post-season debriefing, and we can now report a proposed solution.

CFA has agreed to implement a comprehensive centralised system that will be open to all members that will capture, log, track and report on progress against items raised throughout the season, as opposed to waiting for formal end-of-season reviews.

This should go a long way towards giving volunteers adequate opportunity to raise fireground issues that are still fresh in their minds, whilst providing much needed transparency and a direct line of communication from the grass roots to incident managers.

Joint Operations 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)

2012/13 FIRE DANGER PERIOD OPERATIONAL REVIEW

Delegates have persistently been critical of the 2012/13 Operational review process that was used during this year’s post season reviews, with many reports of volunteers not knowing about, or having access to last season’s debrief process, resulting in a very top heavy and disjointed review and action planning. The Joint Committee has made a major breakthrough, with CFA agreeing to implement a comprehensive centralized system that will be open to all CFA members that will aim to capture, log, track and report on progress against items raised throughout the season, as opposed to waiting until the end of the season for formal reviews.

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A local referral process is being built into the process to ensure issues have the opportunity to be resolved at the lowest appropriate level before being escalated. This should go a long way towards providing volunteers with an adequate opportunity to raise issues of concern experienced on operational deployments & on the fire ground while it is fresh on their minds, whilst also providing much needed transparency and line of sight from the grass roots to incident managers during post season reviews. Regular reporting back to the Joint Committee of issues being raised will also provide the opportunity for the committee to spot trends and common themes. It is hoped that this new process will ultimately provide much needed evidence to influence future joint agency reform agenda’s to ensure systemic issues being raised by volunteers are given adequate attention. Further details of the system will be provided by CFA after initial testing is complete, and the committee commends CFA on progressing this much anticipated initiative.

VOLUNTEER UTILIZATION ON SPECIALIST APPLIANCES

The committee went through a preliminary report on the number of volunteers who are trained and qualified to use the various range of specialist appliances within the fleet. The reports have overwhelmingly confirmed our view that volunteers are experiencing difficulty gaining access to the training necessary to operate these appliances and are often overlooked in their response and operation.  The committee is now progressing work on a report that will be submitted to the Chief Officer to make him aware of the problem and our concerns, and recommend a suite of treatments that will not only look at increasing volunteer access to training on these appliances, but will also look at increasing the opportunities for volunteers to actually use those skills once they have them. The vehicles being included in the review are Technical Rescue (including rope and trench), Teleboom’s, Bronto Aerial Ladders, and Aerial Pumpers. The review will also look at the general up skilling of volunteers at Integrated brigade locations in order to assess adequate access to training for Heavy Hazmats, Heavy Pumpers and other vehicles to ensure response plans are holistic and use all available resources available within brigades.

REVERSE SECTION 29’s

The Committee is progressing work on introducing a new component to Brigade Section 29’s which will allow brigades to report on the level of support provided by CFA and what support they think is needed to meet their requirements. Section 29’s have historically been used as a mechanism to report on brigade preparedness and efficiency, but has lacked the ability for the brigade to assess and report on whether they are getting the support or resources from CFA that they actually require to meet those targets and objectives. The revised Section 29 will be piloted in two Districts this year, with the intent to seek the Chief Officers endorsement for state wide roll-out during the 2014/15 financial year.

Issue 5, 19 May 2013

Quick snapshot of the priority issues and actions worked through at the most recent Joint Committee meeting between CFA and VFBV.

2012/13 SUMMER CAMPAIGN DEBRIEFS

Members would remember from our March update that the Delegates to the CFA/VFBV Joint Operations committee had 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.

Disappointingly, the committee is receiving reports from Districts that this has not occurred, and there has been little or no ability for volunteers to participate in some parts of the State. A report of the CFA planned sessions submitted to the committee at their May meeting, reported 12 CFA facilitated debriefs scheduled across the state, all occurring on a weekday during normal business hours. The committee have written to the Chief Officer, and DCO responsible with its concerns, and requesting a full list of all debriefs held, and a renewed effort for a more inclusive process to encourage feedback from grass root levels.

If you don’t believe you have been given the opportunity to participate in a formal debrief, and you would have liked to, please report your concern to your local State Councillor, so that we can track concerns District by District.

40km Speed Limits

Delegates have provided CFA with notice that they intend to re-open discussions on introducing a 40km speed limit when passing a stationary emergency service vehicle displaying its red and blue lights. The committee with CFA’s endorsement, last tried to progress this issue in early 2009, and was thwarted by Victoria Police, who believed it would be too difficult to enforce. The South Australian parliament recently introduced changes to their laws (they have had a 40km speed limit for a number of years now) to require motorists to slow to 25km when passing stationary emergency vehicles. Whilst not wishing to pursue the 25km speed, delegates believe the 40km speed limit continues to be an important issue to ensure the safety of our members when working beside roads and highways. Road workers are routinely protected by reduced speed limits, yet our members are not currently afforded the same protections. 

SOLAR PANEL SIGNAGE

State Council has referred an item raised from District 17 concerning the signage requirements for solar panel installations. The concern raised is that the signage is inadequate, deteriorates within 6 months, or is often not there at all. State Council has requested the committee investigate with the office of the electrical inspector to determine if the current laws are sufficient, or whether stronger penalties or enforcement are required. The committee will report its finding back to State Council at their September meeting.

OTHER ITEMS BEING PROGRESSED

The Committee continues to progress work on; Jones Implementation Progress, volunteer utilization in IMT’s, CFA Capstone, review of CFA Regulations & Role of Group.