CFA Connect Blogosphere

Speaking With Confidence:
Last week, along with Regional Director David Baker, Operations Manager David Renkin, DCO Steve Warrington and Executive Manager Community Capability Terry Hayes, I was privileged to attend the presentation of the Charter to the District 13 Toastmasters Club at Lilydale.

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.

The CFA Board welcomed two new volunteer-nominated members at its November meeting.
Don Robertson is a long-time member of Strathkellar brigade in District 5 and served as president of the Victorian Rural Fire Brigades Association.
Paul Denham joined Picola brigade at the age of 16 before moving to Barmah brigade then Boronia brigade, where he is a life member. He is currently a VFBV State Councillor for District 13.

Chief Officer Euan Ferguson reported to the Board that grassland curing is nearly 100 per cent in the northwest of the State and well advanced in the west, north and north central. CFA messaging and readiness/response strategies have been modified.

2009 Campaign Fires: "Thank you!"
CEO Mick Bourke, Board Chair Kerry Murphy and I have commenced the presentation of 2009 Campaign Fires certificates (one certificate goes to every brigade, group and work teams such as incident management teams) and individual Campaign Pins. A simple way of saying "Thank you".

Medium Helitanker Located At Sealake:
DCO Steve Warrington advises that a Birddog aircraft and a Helitanker are in place at Sea Lake for a period of eight weeks to cover the risks associated with the harvest season in the north west of the state. This is the first time we have allocated aircraft in this part of the State. This is a significant achievement that recognises the specific risks associated with harvesting operations. Thanks go to OM Bill Johnston, OO's Mathew Gardner, Wayne Rigg and Brett Boatman, with the support of Peter Higgins and the State Aircraft Unit team for their drive and tenacity to see this through. The rationale of resource allocation based on risk has the potential to save the State and the Victorian cropping community, particularly in the north west, millions of dollars with the rapid intervention of an aircraft during a fire event. This was a great team effort to get this across the line. Congratulations.

A History Of Bushfire In Australia:
GIS Manager Mark Garvey has sent the link below to an Australian Geographic animation of bushfires in Australia over the last 20 years or so. The animation is by NASA.
http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/journal/history-of-bushfires-in-australia.htm

At the October Board meeting, the Chief Officer reported on the conditions that indicate an above-average grassfire risk this fire season. One hot, windy day in October produced almost 60 grass and scrub fires alone.

Community messaging, operational briefings and strategic planning are being influenced by this forecast. An example is the deployment of a secure medium tactical helicopter and a fixed wing aircraft to the Mallee for the first time, to help mitigate the fire risk during harvesting.

Werribee Brigade - Australasian Road Rescue Champions!
Last weekend, the Werribee Brigade competed in the World and Australasian Road Rescue Championships held in Wellington, New Zealand. Late last night, we received advice from 1st Lt Daryl Wells that the Brigade had an outstanding set of results:
• 1st in the Australasian Championships, (retaining their title).
• 2nd in the World Titles, entitling them to compete at the world championships in London in 2012.
• Best Paramedic for Australasia - Captain Michael Wells.
• Won best Paramedic for the World titles - Captain Michael Wells.
This is a fantastic result! Congratulations to all involved and to their supporters!

State forum for Community Safety for Volunteers:
Ali Martin from the Member Engagement Project advises of a Forum for Community Safety on 15-16 October. The state forum aims to build volunteer capacity and capability to deliver the Bushfire Safety Policy messages. Our emergency management and community engagement models have significantly changed since Black Saturday. This is all part of continuing the skills development of our front line people to ensure we build resilient and self reliant communities. This is a great opportunity to not only support and reward some of our volunteers for their great work in this area, but to also develop a stronger and enlarged team of "volunteer community safety champions" around the State.