Pat O'Brien, Regional Manager Loddon Mallee

Our primary purpose in Loddon Mallee region is to create and deploy an effective operational capability focused on preventing and suppressing fire, in order to achieve our CFA objective of minimising loss of life and property.

Thanks to all who have responded to the various large and small incidents we had across the Region this Fire Danger Period. Thank you also to all Groups and brigades that stepped up their preparedness levels, readied Strike Teams and manned Group HQs or Div Coms on TFB or Severe FDR days.

We are remembering the situation we were in in February and March last year. The outstanding efforts by individuals, brigades and Groups across LMR as well as all those from outside LMR who helped, in response to the major floods were, at the time and have continued to be since, an inspiration to all CFA members in the Region.

Loddon Mallee Region has conducted a number of teamwork and leadership courses at Hattah in the last couple of months. These always provide an invaluable opportunity for discussion amongst participants about what good teamwork and leadership really mean, how best to lead and what a good team looks and feels like.

I have particularly found the exchanges of views, experience and ideas at the leadership courses to be of great personal value. It's been very instructive for me, as always, to see how others go about exercising leadership. The debriefs we conduct, after each participant has a go at leading the team through a mission, have produced some deep and meaningful exchanges.

In the last edition of the Nor' Wester I wrote about the major floods, their effect on numerous communities and individuals and the extraordinary response to them by so many volunteers and staff, both during the event and afterwards.

One of the common denominators during the major flood Response and Recovery Phases was courage; another was initiative.