Kerry's blog

A number of new members of the executive and Fire and Emergency management teams come to CFA not only with extensive experience in the emergency services sector but, more specifically, a strong and committed background in volunteerism.

We welcome Fran Boyd as Executive Director People and Culture and David Spokes as Executive Director Performance and Strategy. Mark Sullivan, the new Executive Director Communities and Communication, has more than 25 years' experience in the NSW police force and the Rural Fire Service.

Colac was the venue for the Rural Championships on 31 March (Seniors) and 1 April (Juniors) and also the occasion of the first official function for the Governor, The Honourable Alex Chernov AO, QC, the official patron of CFA. The Governor was accompanied by Mrs Chernov. The Governor congratulated both VFBV and CFA (especially the local organisers) and showed a keen interest in the juniors, recruitment and health issues.

The Chernovs had their own Black Saturday experience in the Yarra Valley area and were greatly complimentary about the local brigades' efforts.

The March Board meeting was held as busy brigades in the north-east and CFA strike teams moved out of flood response and into recovery. Some communities face the prospect of water lingering for many weeks. It's a testing time for our members and their communities who make their living in the area, many from the land, who are struggling to protect properties and having difficulty getting around their local roads.

The Board acknowledges the workload of brigades in support of the State Emergency Service. Once again, the emergency services have been the lifeblood of their communities and we thank you for your outstanding work.

At its February meeting, held in Melton, the CFA Board foreshadowed that it will amend its policy and procedures in relation to intersection and roadside collections following a request from VFBV. The Board agreed to support these activities - used by brigades to raise funds for CFA or the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal - but with the necessary CFA approvals, and in line with State and local government requirements. These procedures, once developed, will be circulated to all CFA brigades. It is important that they are strictly adhered to, to ensure that insurance coverage for volunteers remains valid.

Also at the February meeting, Regional Manager Greg Esnouf and his team presented the North West Metropolitan Region's growth strategy. In this region alone the population is expected to grow by almost 240,000 people in the next 10 years; good, forward-looking strategies like this will address challenges to our service delivery.

In its last meeting of 2011 the CFA Board was updated on the independent investigation into the historical use of fuels and chemicals at Fiskville. With the wellbeing of CFA members past and present foremost in their minds, the Board has established a special committee to oversee member welfare and wellbeing and to ensure members are kept informed.

I'd like to assure members that a recent WorkSafe inspection carried out on the site, along with our own, have not indicated any concerns with current practices at Fiskville.

The CFA Board welcomed two new volunteer-nominated members at its November meeting.
Don Robertson is a long-time member of Strathkellar brigade in District 5 and served as president of the Victorian Rural Fire Brigades Association.
Paul Denham joined Picola brigade at the age of 16 before moving to Barmah brigade then Boronia brigade, where he is a life member. He is currently a VFBV State Councillor for District 13.

Chief Officer Euan Ferguson reported to the Board that grassland curing is nearly 100 per cent in the northwest of the State and well advanced in the west, north and north central. CFA messaging and readiness/response strategies have been modified.

At the October Board meeting, the Chief Officer reported on the conditions that indicate an above-average grassfire risk this fire season. One hot, windy day in October produced almost 60 grass and scrub fires alone.

Community messaging, operational briefings and strategic planning are being influenced by this forecast. An example is the deployment of a secure medium tactical helicopter and a fixed wing aircraft to the Mallee for the first time, to help mitigate the fire risk during harvesting.

In rolling out our vision and mission as part of the "Creating our Future Together" program, we were describing CFA as a community-based fire and emergency services organisation. Feedback from our members is that we should be referred to as a volunteer and community-based fire and emergency services organisation. The Board formally adopted this description, which acknowledges both our volunteer and community base, at its July meeting.

Reaffirming who we are and what we do unites us and helps focus our energies as preparations for the next fire season pick up pace. Final positions on community safety policies for the 2011-2012 fire season were progressed at a multi-agency work shop in July. Plans are in place for multi-agency pre fire season briefings to take place from September.

The June Board meeting was held in Swan Hill in recognition of the sustained work of Loddon Mallee CFA members through the recent floods. It was also recognition that, for many members, the flood crisis is still exacting a heavy toll.

Loddon Mallee Regional Manager Pat O'Brien hosted a dinner for Board members, the Chief Officer and CFA members representing a range of brigades from across the region. It was an opportunity for those members to pose forthright questions about immediate needs, channels for assistance and other matters of concern to them.

For 57 years, four generations of the King family have shown dedicated commitment to the fire services through their tireless work as owners and editors of The Fireman. At the April CFA Board meeting, Alan and Gordon King - the second and third generations - were presented with a plaque to acknowledge their stewardship of a publication that has inspired loyalty in readers statewide. CFA appreciates the attention they have drawn to the skills, actions and achievements of firefighters and brigades.

The achievements of members were also considered by the Board in relation to criteria for the National Medal. This award requires "diligent service". This is defined in the National Medal Regulations 1999 as: "a person has served an organisation diligently if, in the opinion of the Chief Officer a) the service given by the person has been conscientious and of good standard and b) in the performance of the service, the person showed good conduct as a member of the organisation."

In recognition of CFA members who provided outstanding service to Victorian communities during the fires of 2009, a call for nominations for bravery awards is being sent out to CFA members this month. The call will be made via a letter co-signed by the Chief Officer and myself, included in the latest edition of Brigade Magazine. We encourage those who know a CFA member deserving of this recognition to put forward a nomination.

At its February meeting the Board encouraged the Chief Officer to review the role of Groups. The review is a significant one for CFA as it could lead to a more central role for Groups in the chain of command.

At Monday's CFA Board meeting, the first for 2011, the Board committed that any shortfall in funding for the current structural Personal Protective Clothing program for items such as gloves, boots and helmets will be met for the PPC replacement roll-out program.

PPC is the most important piece of equipment that operational fire fighters possess. In line with the board's commitment, Chief Officer Euan Ferguson will audit structural PPC and identify any shortfalls in items like gloves, boots and helmets; and budget, and then report back to the Board.