News 
Issue 13: July 2015
A quick snapshot of the priority issues and actions worked through at the most recent Joint Committee meeting between CFA and VFBV. (Meeting held 28/06/15)
EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESPONSE (EMR)
The Committee received an update on the proposed expansion of EMR within CFA. Whilst the Government’s $5 million dollar announcement to expand EMR to CFA’s 33 integrated brigades is welcome, the committee expressed its disappointment that funding was only provided for those locations. Considering Ambulance Victoria nominated 32 high priority locations for inclusion in year 1 of expansion of EMR services, and that 12 of those 32 priority locations are communities served by fully volunteer Brigades, the committee has requested CFA continue to advocate for EMR’s expansion to more volunteer brigades.
The Committee has also expressed alarm that the $5M funding provided for the expansion appears to be significantly less than what CFA has estimated it will actually cost to roll-out to the integrated locations, and the Committee has requested clarification from CFA on if there is a funding shortfall – where will the money be diverted from to finish the rollout.
Delegates have also sought CFA’s assurance that any expansion of EMR to CFA integrated locations will also be inclusive of volunteers and provide them the opportunity to be involved should they wish, consistent with CFA’s existing service delivery model with services being delivered in a fully integrated manner.
VOLUNTEER UTILIZATION IN IMTs AND SPECIALIST RESPONSE
The Chief Officer has recommitted to investigating what more can be done to provide opportunities for volunteers to train in specialist response and Incident Management Team roles.
CFA has agreed to report on current numbers of volunteers trained in these roles, and how often they have actually been used. Given the significant time impost volunteers give to gain these competencies not only in acquisition but also in skills maintenance, it is imperative that members be provided more proactive opportunities to actually use those skills, and not simply overlooked as current systems and processes inevitably do.
The Chief will shortly be writing to all District Planning Committees to ascertain from OM’s and senior volunteers what current opportunities are in place for volunteers to gain & use these skills, and investigate any barriers or disincentives with a view to removing or fixing them.
ROLE OF GROUP
Members will be relieved to learn that the Chief Officer has assured the Committee he remains committed to completing the role of group review, and has re-affirmed his support and desire to see the work & progress which has been undertaken over the last couple of years, finished.
Whilst acknowledging minor issues with changes of legislation that were referred to in the current role of group publication, that has not yet been distributed, his view is that these were only minor and he still supported all key aspects of the review. The Committee was advised that an update to the publication was being reviewed, and he would meet with the working party to progress ASAP.
TERMS OF REFERENCE
The Committee was delighted that the Chief Officer resumed his role as Chair of this Committee, and has committed to chairing the committee from here on in, with all his Deputy Chief Officers also in attendance to provide the Committee much greater support and prominence.
A review of the Committee’s terms of reference is currently underway to support these changes, and the Committee expressed its appreciation for the Chiefs renewed support and enthusiasm. As one of the key bodies to provide the Chief Officer with formal input and advice direct from volunteers, the Committee is seen as a vital link between CFA and VFBV in exercising CFA’s obligations to volunteers under the volunteer charter.
