CFA Connect Blogosphere

A Busy Christmas Day:
Many CFA and SES personnel had a busy Christmas and Boxing Day assisting people affected by the heavy rainfall event and hail on Christmas Day. Fire crews, Ground Observers, Liaison officers Division Commanders, and IMT members from Districts 7, 13 and 14 all gave up precious family and holiday time. To you, and to your families, we say a special "Thank You!"

Chicago Fire Department Safety Video:
In an effort to make personal safety a top priority, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) and the Chicago Fire Department (CFD) have released a new video, Chicago Fire Department - Everyone Goes Home®. More than two dozen survivors of fallen firefighters, including co-workers and family members, participated in the filming of Chicago Fire Department - Everyone Goes Home. All members of the Chicago Fire Department have had the opportunity to see Chicago Fire Department - Everyone Goes Home® and it is now available for the entire fire service. To see the video, go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=vODww1qwSuE.

Wangaratta HAZMAT - A Case Study In Communication:
On the evening of Monday 19th December, Wangaratta turned out to a HAZMAT incident that resulted in over 100 people being evacuated for up to 12 hours. The incident saw CFA working very closely with VicPol, Ambulance, Dept of Health and Human Services and the Rural City of Wangaratta. Operations Manager Stewart Kreltszheim was very pro-active in his effort to inform the community. Not only did Stewart actively engage media organisations at the scene, he participated in numerous radio and print interviews throughout the night. He even produced his own media release and video update. In the following days he also provided video updates to senior CFA personnel.

Vehicle Livery Trial - Seeking Your Feedback:
You may be aware of a CFA project to develop a standard style of transport and emergency vehicle livery. The aim of this project is to create a consistent look for all CFA vehicles, while also improving the visibility and safety of our fleet and brigade vehicles. So no matter where you travel across Victoria, our cars will reflect the professionalism of our organisation. This includes striping, the use of Brigade names, CFA web address, "000" and "FIRE RESCUE" signage. Four designs have been put forward to initiate debate and discussion. CFA is now seeking feedback on the options - see the story at: http://www.cfaconnect.net.au/news/new-car-decals-vote-now.html. We are seeking responses from CFA members across the whole organisation as any potential change will affect all pool, transport and Brigade transport vehicles. Feedback is being taken up until Friday 2 March. A printable survey can be obtained from Nancy Thompson at CFA Strategic Communications at CFA HQ or can be requested via cfaprom@cfa.vic.gov.au

VICROADS web site enhanced:
Vic Roads recently launched a new VicRoads web application to provide information about road closures during emergencies. The ‘Road Closures and Traffic Alerts' application is map-based to clearly show where all current road closures are located. It is updated 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is also accessible on web-enabled mobile phones, such as smartphones. If a member of the public enquires about road closures during an emergency, please direct them to the VicRoads website (vicroads.vic.gov.au) where they can access the new application.

My Christmas Day:
I missed wishing you all a Merry Christmas on Christmas Day. Instead, I was in hospital having surgery on a hand that was injured when I rode into a car door that opened in front of my push bike on Christmas eve. Thank you to the many people who sent messages of support! I am OK, but will be a bit restricted for a few weeks more. And no, I do not intend to give up cycling! Happy 2012 instead!

 "I could not, at any age, be content to take my place by the fireside and simply look on. Curiosity must be kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason, turn one's back on life." - Eleanor Roosevelt