CFA Connect Blogosphere

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.

Fire Action Week:
This week, the Government announced that Fire Action Week in Victoria will be from 13th to 20th November. The week will culminate in "CFA Sunday" on 20th November. CFA Sunday will be an opportunity for CFA Brigades to open their doors, invite the community in to see what we do, and to celebrate the values and men and women who are the CFA. The CFA is providing funding to support brigades host a barbeque on CFA Sunday.

State Bushfire Command And Control Arrangements:
Recently the State Fire Control Team and the Fire Services Commissioner signed off on the revised arrangements for bushfire command and control for this fire season. I commend the document to you and encourage you to thoroughly read and familiarise yourself with the arrangements found at:
http://www.firecommissioner.vic.gov.au/images/stories/State_Command_amd_Control_Arrangemments_for_Bushfire_August_2011.pdf

2011 State Championships:
The first of our State Championships will take place at the end of February.

When I started with CFA in November, I said I'd try to get around and meet as many volunteers as possible. My travels continue. In the meantime I just want to acknowledge the passion and commitment that I have witnessed in CFA volunteers, staff and supporters everywhere that I go. It is hard not to be infected by the enthusiasm that I see around me.

Where Is The Chief Officer?: Many of you will be asking: "Why haven't I seen the Chief Officer yet?" As I said when I started, I will make it a priority to get around and meet people early. So, if you are in Headquarters, don't be surprised if I am an apology at your meeting. If you are in a District, be patient - I'm on my way. Over the last 7 weeks I've been pleased to meet with CFA staff and volunteers at Castlemaine, Geelong, Colac, Hamilton, Penshurst, Fiskville, Swan Hill, Shepparton, Arthur's Creek, Kinglake West, Kinglake, Sassafras-Ferny Creek, Yarra Valley, Warrandyte South, Kangaroo Ground, Kilmore East, Hilldene, Traralgon, Wangaratta, Myrtleford, Mudgegonga and Tarrawingee.

Many people across our organisation have been working to deliver on projects for this year’s Bushfires Program. A considerable amount of work is required to act on the changes for this fire season 2010-11 and I’d like to commend everyone for their fantastic work.

As the first anniversary of 7 February approaches, I'd like to take a moment to reflect on the events of not only that day, but the weeks leading up to it, particularly the fires in Gippsland, and the tremendous work CFA members have done in Black Saturday's aftermath.

While I wasn't with CFA last fire season, like so many other Australians I watched the events unfold with anguish and sorrow, but also with an overwhelming sense of pride in the response.

Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you since my last post. It's been a busy time for all of us but I still want to make sure my blog is regularly updated, especially given the feedback you've provided and the questions you've been asking.

Having the technology to deliver regular online updates is one thing, but it's the quality of the interaction that will determine whether this blog is a success. So far, I've seen a wealth of considered opinions, well thought out comments and probing questions in response to my posts. So I'd say you're certainly keeping up your end of the bargain, and I'll continue doing my best to keep up mine.

Thank you for your feedback on my last blog entry about CFA's changing boundaries and improved command and control arrangements. It's encouraging to me that so many of you are passionate about ensuring we do the best thing for CFA as well as the community, so I wanted to give you an update on progress since I last blogged.

Victoria today is different in many ways from what it was when CFA was formed six and a half decades ago. The social, economic and environmental landscapes have changed: Victorians are highly mobile and have greater access to information through rapidly evolving technology.

Traditional boundaries are continually challenged by increasing population, community needs and expectations, and learning to live with a changing climate. CFA is operating in a new era and, as it has in the past, will ready itself to meet the future needs of Victorians.