Bendoc CFA & Mt. Delegate Group News

4 May 2001

SUMMIT AND SENIOR  APPOINTEE TO DRIVE CFA TRAINING

CFA has appointed an experienced senior regional officer to head CFA operational training following concerns from some volunteers about tough standards set and methods of instruction.
"A summit will be held sometime in June to allow our volunteers and staff the opportunity to identify critical issues and develop a way ahead," said Bob Seiffert, CFA's Chief Executive Officer.
"While CFA management is happy with the quality of our training program we have agreed to review training targets and the training process."
Westernport Area Operations Manager, Graham Fountain has been appointed to an executive position in order to carry out this vital role.
"Since my appointment three months ago we have commenced discussions with the volunteer associations and received feedback to get this training matter resolved."
Mr. Seiffert added that in the meantime CFA would continue with training courses using the newly appointed instructors and volunteers from the respective regions.
"With operational training we are bound by the terms of an Enterprise Bargaining Agreement which states that paid training must be undertaken by operational staff.
"One of the issues is CFA discontinuing the practise of paying volunteer instructors who do not comply with the provisions of the EBA."
"We are not suggesting that any of our volunteers and staff aren't properly trained."
"The current training program is more about formalising their competence levels in a system that can be audited.
"It is also re-enforcing an upgrade in their knowledge and skills, against new operational techniques that have been introduced in CFA and the Australian Fire Competency Framework."
Mr. Seiffert said some of those lessons had been learnt from the 1998 Linton fire.
"We are as keen as the volunteers to examine the training issues and resolve them to the satisfaction of everyone."

perations Update

Fire Season 2000- 2001 Round-up

There were 15 Total Fire Bans declared in part or all of Victoria during the fire season, the first on the 21st December and the last on 16th March.
This fire season was extremely busy with over 70 large fires in Victoria
.
 Many of these were grass fires in western and south western Victoria, where abundant grass growth led to fast moving fires that were difficult to control. The largest grass fires were Dadswells Bridge/Campbell's Bridge (15,000 ha) and Winchelsea (2000 ha).
Rapid initial response of ground crews and firebombing aircraft controlled many fires that had significant potential to cause damage.
Firebombing aircraft played an instrumental role in constructing control lines at CFA fires this season. They were also very useful in moderating fire behavior to allow ground crews to construct control lines safely and protect houses.

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Volunteer Charter

Nine consultative meetings were held around the state to obtain the views of volunteers about the draft Charter. There is strong support so far for both the concept and theme of the charter. Feedback about legal liability, stronger wording, and impacts on volunteers were received .The steering committee is due to hear the feedback on 15 May and produce a final draft before discussion with CFA Management and Government representatives.
For more information call the Associations Representative for Gippsland
Rick Hill Ph: 03 51524086 BH
        03 51567564 AH
         0418 516145 mobile

Training Initiative pays off for Gippsland
Five wildfire and two structural instructors have been appointed to Gippsland as part of the SRI training initiative. Most have already commenced work.
Our structural Instructors are Bob Langridge and Ross McGregor (yes the ex Ops Manager Reg 11). Our Wildfire people are: Roger Strickland (ex Parks Victoria)  Bob Bassett, Terry Hanley, Neil Hamilton and Ian Dunbar who all have many years of volunteer experience to pass on to others.
Each are looking forward to helping Gippsland progress towards the Chief
Officers 80% wildfire minimum skills target for June 2002.

Ration Packs

* Following success of the snack packs a period contract is being prepared for future supply of ration packs to CFA personnel.
* A number of issues in respect of quality, timeliness and distribution of food to firefighters are being discussed with the welfare agencies using the State Emergency Response Plan process.

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