CFA Connect Blogosphere

I am pleased to take this opportunity to keep you informed about the Brigade and Membership Classification project. 

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.

There is much activity in CFA at the moment. Set against the ongoing daily demands of delivering fire and emergency services, there is an escalating tempo in our bushfire education and community liaison teams. Parts of the state are drying. Preparations for the fire season are in full swing with pre-season briefings, and multi-agency pre-fire season exercises. Revised "Joint SOP's" have been approved, and key community bushfire safety policies have recently been endorsed. CFA is also briefing members about future options for emergency management. We are adopting our business plan to incorporate the Fire Services Commissioner's 3 year rolling reform plan.  Amongst all this activity it is important to keep a sustainable pace. As we rearrange our priorities ensure that you set aside time to take care of yourself and for your family. The Dalai Lama says we should all take 30 minutes a day to be with ourselves. This is good advice. As you get around your work colleagues, keep an eye out for their welfare. We all work in teams and occasionally we get stressed and tired and emotional. Sometimes it takes a member of your team to remind you to slow down, to ease off, or to go home early today. Take care of yourselves, take care of each other and remember to be nice to those around you.

Well Done And Keep Up The Great Work To:
"Well done!" to the leadership team and the organisers from Bayswater CFA Brigade for hosting the "Control Line 2011" conference last week. Speakers included the Minister for Emergency Services The Hon. Peter Ryan; retired Maj Gen Jim Molan AO DSC; Professor Chris Brook (Dept of Health); Professor Paul ‘t Hart (via video); Captain Chris Johnston (recently returned Intelligence Officer from Australian Army); and Fire Services Commissioner Craig Lapsley. The conference (which attracted a large attendance) focussed on lessons learned from major military operations; crisis management principles; the political realities that overlay management of major emergencies; and the military 'intelligence management' process.

Updated Fire And Emergency Management Checklists:
Project Coordinator Matthew Fraser has advised that a new version of "Fire and Emergency Management" Checklists has recently been printed. These are now being distributed to Districts. The checklists have been comprehensively reviewed, taking on board feedback from many members. Immediately noticeable is the reduction in size - the review identified a lot of information that wasn't relevant to a "fireground" reference checklist. The checklists are in pocket and A5 versions. Key information includes safety and first aid; vehicle safety; radio procedures; role checklists; technical advice for common and uncommon incidents; and a host of technical references. I commend you to spend some time noting the contents, and ensuring they are readily accessible when on the job.