CFA Connect Blogosphere

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.

Following a request from Independent Fiskville Investigator Professor Rob Joy, CFA has approved a three month extension of the Independent Investigation into the use of chemicals for live fire fighting training practices at Fiskville Training College dating back as far as the 1970s.

Professor Joy and his team requested this variation to the Terms of Reference after it became clear that more time is needed to complete a comprehensive investigation - there are still a great many interviews to be conducted with CFA past and present members and records to be reviewed.

Professor Joy also advised us that the interview process is proving not only to be an opportunity for CFA members to tell their story, but is also essential for him to gain useful information and that this is going to take more time. Professor Joy does not wish to pre-empt any outcomes or findings by issuing an interim report.

The extension was approved to honour CFA's commitment of ensuring a thorough and detailed investigation. Our members are our priority so it is important to give all members - past and present - every opportunity to contribute and be heard as part of this investigation.

When the allegations were first made in December last year we assured our members that we were determined to deal with this matter properly and seriously - we owe that to our people.

Given recent reports about the historical live fire fighting training activities at Fiskville, some members and their families may have concerns about the current safety of the Fiskville site. We can assure you that the ground is safe for all staff, trainees and visitors - this has been confirmed by two independent hygiene reports.

The hygienists, both commissioned by CFA, found that while there were some minor areas for improvement, there were no significant risks to the health and safety of those working at the site or those attending as trainees or visitors.

A number of CFA members, past and present, and their families have contacted CFA to register their interest in receiving regular updates and to volunteer information which they believe will be useful to the independent investigator Professor Rob Joy.

Now the Independent Investigator is up and running, we urge members with information useful to the inquiry to contact Professor Joy's team directly on
(03) 5420 9260 between 9.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday or email info@fiskvilleinvestigation.com.au

The Fiskville investigation is well underway with the independent Chair - former deputy Chairman of Environmental Protection Authority Robert Joy - inspecting the facility this week.

The independent investigation is due to report back by the end of March 2012, after which it will be made public.

We ask for patience while this work is being done.

Today we've released the Terms of Reference for the Independent Investigation Into The CFA Facility At Fiskville (1971-1999).

We also announced a new ‘Investigation and Information' hot line (1800 628 616) for people with concerns to call between 8:30am and 8:30pm. Callers will by able to access assistance directly, or be referred on for further advice.

People can call the information line anonymously, however, data regarding calls taken and issues raised will be reported to ensure appropriate follow-up action is taken where required. People can also email: fiskvilleprojectteam@cfa.vic.gov.au

All of us, CFA members past and present and our families, have been shocked and saddened by reports in the Herald Sun last week that link past practices at Fiskville to various forms of cancer. Our foremost thoughts are with those CFA members who are or have been a victim of cancer and to the families of CFA members have been cancer victims. For many of us at CFA, Fiskville has been a big part of our lives. We've lived there, worked there, trained there, met there, celebrated there and we've mourned there. Many CFA members have raised their families there. Fiskville is, and has been for so many years, an integral part of the origins, history and culture of the CFA. Fiskville is close to all of our hearts. Fiskville is also a big part of the local community in the Ballan area. Many locals have been or are employees, contractors and neighbours. It is natural that many in the community are also sharing our concern and our pain.

In this latest update I can advise you that former deputy chairman of the EPA Rob Joy has accepted a role to chair the Fiskville investigation.

With 25 years' experience in environment protection and resource management, his credentials are exemplary.

As many CFA members would be aware, the Herald Sun ran a series of articles this morning making a number of very serious allegations linking CFA's Training College at Fiskville to cancers in CFA members and their families. These allegations date back to the 1970s and 80s.

Since becoming aware of the allegations for the first time when contacted by the newspaper yesterday, we have set up a team who will provide support to CFA members - staff and volunteers - who spent time at Fiskville and investigate the allegations. There are members who will understandably be concerned by the reports.