Blog Entries

Welcome to new members, organisational change, TPP research

kerry.murphy@cfa.vic.gov.au — Mon, 14 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100

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 an [...]

National Volunteer Week, Monday 14 - Sunday 20 May

e.ferguson@cfa.vic.gov.au — Mon, 14 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100

This week is National Volunteer Week. It's important to recognise and thank our volunteers throughout the whole year, but this week gives us the opportunity to more formally acknowledge and celebrate the extraordinary commitment, energy and selflessness that our 58,000 volunteers bring to CFA every day. The work you do is essential. It is something that we, as an organisation and as a community, do not take for granted. The theme for National Volunteer Week 2012 is: "Volunteers [...]

New additions to the CFA leadership team

m.bourke@cfa.vic.gov.au — Wed, 09 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100

I am pleased to announce new appointments to CFA's leadership team. Each of the individuals below brings to their role significant experience, knowledge and expertise. Their skills and capabilities complement each other and those already existing in our organisation. The diversity and strength in the team ensures CFA is in the right hands to achieve our goals.

This new executive team will lead us through the remainder of the organisational change p [...]

Fiskville on a Good Day

robert.bury@members.cfa.vic.gov.au — Fri, 04 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100

I was one of ten people selected for a 2 day pilot course at Fiskville. The idea was to take volunteers who may be the initial Incident controller at a job and give them some experience in a realistic environment

A stepping stone between Crew Lead Wildfire and Crew Lead Structure without the pressure of assessment.

We all gathered at the Fiskville Training Pad a group of people from all walks of life with varying experiences. Some of us had meet before at various CFA events [...]

International Firefighters Day, The Spirit of CFA

e.ferguson@cfa.vic.gov.au — Fri, 04 May 2012 00:00:00 +0100

International Firefighters Day - Remembering The Fallen:
Today, 4th May, is International Firefighters Day. It is a day for us to honour the memories of firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty. This Sunday many of us will be attending the memorial service at Fiskville, alongside CFA members, families, friends, colleagues and distinguished guests, to remember the 66 CFA firefighters who have died serving our community. It is important to recognise th [...]

Transferring of Volunteers - Brigade to Brigade

l.deman@cfa.vic.gov.au — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0100

I am pleased to advise that volunteer members can now transfer from one brigade to another and still remain a member of CFA, without the need to show they've resigned on CFA's data system.

Previously our CFA Resource Management System (RMS) database was modelled in a way that made it necessary to record that a member had resigned if moving from one brigade to another.

Recent changes to this system now mean that a volunteer wishing to transfer between brigades will no longer be shown as [...]

Black woollen turnout coats, recruitment, welfare

e.ferguson@cfa.vic.gov.au — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Knox Group Specialist Appliance Display:
A strong commendation to the Knox Group for the highly successful display of specialist appliances held on 22nd April. High praise goes to DGO's Ian Atherton, Peter Shaw and Lt2 Craig Williamson from Montrose. The display included specialist appliances and equipment from Australian Volunteer Coast Guard, Parks Victoria, Victoria Police, SES, St John Ambulance, DSE, Ambulance Victoria and MFB. Of course ther [...]

Flash mob, fuel reduction, Culture Survey

e.ferguson@cfa.vic.gov.au — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Flash Mob From Gordon:
The initiative and inspiration from our members is truly amazing. Check out the video link on CFA Connect at: http://www.cfaconnect.net.au/news/cfa-flash-mob-in-ballarat-mall.html Gordon CFA's Diane Lawson led a "flash mob" of Gordon Fire Brigade members in Ballarat's Bridge Street Mall last week. Their message was about volunteering and winter fire safety. As Diane said to the gathered media: "Most people only get to see us on the job, not a [...]

The Flagpole

robert.bury@members.cfa.vic.gov.au — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0100

I don't know when I first noticed that the Fire Station did not have a Flagpole but it got me to thinking that we perhaps should.

As I drove around the country side I noticed that other Fire Stations had them some as many as three flagpoles out the front

It seemed every one has a flagpole except us

When the station was built did they forget to deliver one?

We were provided with an Australian Flag just nowhere to fly it

I started to ask questions no on [...]

An update from the Board on the April meeting

kerry.murphy@cfa.vic.gov.au — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0100

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 Valle [...]

Member IDs, Rural Stations, New Tankers

e.ferguson@cfa.vic.gov.au — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Member ID project:

One of the recommendations from the Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission was that CFA supply identification cards to Fire Fighters to facilitate their passage through traffic management points. I must encourage you, if you haven't already done so to apply for one. The member ID project was established and is going very well with over 16,000 members now sporting the new tags. We would like to see as many [...]

Good Friday Appeal, Planned Burning, Leadership at Corio, Fleet Strategy

e.ferguson@cfa.vic.gov.au — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Good Friday - "Thank You!" - A Fantastic Effort All Round!:

Not only did the Good Friday Royal Children's Hospital Appeal hit a record total this year, but so too did CFA members! CFA brigades across the State collected a record $1.25 million this year - an amazing (and humbling) effort! Over 60 years, CFA brigades have collected and raised $22.25 million for the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal. "Thank you and well done!" to all CFA brigades and members inv [...]

Campbell Brown talks Depression

s.chhay@cfa.vic.gov.au — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Two Sunday's ago, after fervent bout of channel surfing, I stumbled across this interview on the Footy Show, with Campbell Brown from the Gold Coast Suns.

A couple of minutes into the video (2:30 to be exact), Campbell candidly opens up about his own personal experiences in dealing with a close friend with depression. If you have a spare few minutes, please take the time to watch this video as there's a couple of poignant messages [...]

OT&V Update

l.deman@cfa.vic.gov.au — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0100

We have now concluded the appointment of the three OT&V senior management positions. James Stitz, who was a manager in the previous Learning & Development Team for several years, takes up the role of Executive Manager Training Development. The two other appointments are external candidates. They are Manager Volunteerism, Kate Harrap. Kate starts today with us, being the 10 April. Manager Training Delivery is Craig Ferguson and he commenced his new role last w [...]

Update on the Regional Radio Dispatch Service

m.bourke@cfa.vic.gov.au — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0100

I'm pleased to provide an update on the Regional Radio Dispatch Service project that will improve radio communications for our regional brigades.

The CFA Board has given approval for negotiations to begin with a preferred supplier to finalise the service contract. Depending on these negotiations, the project should roll out towards the middle of the year and into early next year, beginning with a pilot in District 12. We will announce the winning tenderer as soon as the negotiations are compl [...]

Easter weekend activities

m.bourke@cfa.vic.gov.au — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0100

This weekend many of our brigades will be supporting the 2012 Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal, as they have done so for over 60 years.

The volunteering spirit is truly alive and well at CFA and it's remarkable to see our members standing on street corners collecting money and conducting their own fundraisers for the Appeal, when they already give so much for their communities.

Much like CFA, the Good Friday Appeal relies on the generosity and goodwill of thousands of mem [...]

Three Kings, OH&S, State Champs, Good Friday Appeal

e.ferguson@cfa.vic.gov.au — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Once There Were Three Kings:
Last weekend saw the annual Warrandyte Festival which was kicked off by a street parade on Saturday morning (led by the ‘King" or "Queen" of the Festival). This year there were three "Kings": Bernie Ezbury (Warrandyte Captain); Rohan Thornton (North Warrandyte Captain); Greg Kennedy (South Warrandyte Captain). This was a great example of the esteem that CFA (and our leadership) is held in the community. Well do [...]

Matthew Temby Update

robert.bury@members.cfa.vic.gov.au — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0100

We believed it time to give you all an update on Matthew Temby's progress
Matthew and Steve have been going to The National Institute of Health at Bethesda in America USA since 2009 for research treatment of a rare form of thyroid cancer. Matthew was a thriving twelve year old who enjoyed the things that most kids his age do, computers, visiting his friends and participating in CFA Juniors. At that time Steve was Second Lieutenant at Doreen CFA and they both would attend training on a S [...]

Jones Inquiry update

m.bourke@cfa.vic.gov.au — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0100

We're making good progress adopting themes arising from the Jones Inquiry and I'd like to update you on the work taking place.

Following the release of the Inquiry's final report, Deputy Premier and Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Peter Ryan, announced last month the six themes which now form the framework for CFA's response.

These include:

Fire Star Virtues as a brigade guide

p.obrien@cfa.vic.gov.au — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0100

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 respons [...]