CFA Connect Blogosphere

The second half of 2012 sees us rolling out an initiative I feel will bring enormous benefits in building volunteer capacity and capability for incident response.

TEWTS
A "TEWT" is a Tactical Exercise Without Troops.  TEWTS are a very effective way of illustrating a tactical situation in the classroom or in an improvised field location without having to assemble, organise and maneuvre resources.  One example of conducting a TEWT is where a tactical situation is depicted on the classroom floor.  The situation can be set up on a sand table, on a large scale floor map, or with the aid of toy vehicles, earthmoving plant, aircraft etc.  Students can then gather around the depiction and gain an over view of the tactical situation.  A second way of delivering a TEWT is to use a piece of real ground.  For example, it may be an area of interest to the south and west of a settlement where you are simulating the effect of a wind change.  In this case, students may be required to undertake a reconnaissance by foot or in vehicle.  Students will gain a direct appreciation of the terrain, risks and advantageous points in the landscape.  This method of TEWT takes a little more planning, but provides the benefit of a real time appreciation of an actual piece of ground.

OT&V Training Conference

Fixed Training Infrastructure Project

In recent times we've made some good progression on the development of our Mobile and Fixed Training Infrastructure Projects.

The purpose of the Fixed Training Infrastructure Project is to ensure that CFA's five regional Field Training Grounds (FTG) at Huntly, Wangaratta, Penshurst, Longerenong and West Sale, remain Training Ready and Fit for Purpose.

Welcome Deputy Chief Officers Joe Buffone and Alen Slijepcevic
This month we welcomed both Joe Buffone as the new Deputy Chief Officer Readiness and Response and Alen Slijepcevic as the new Deputy Chief Officer Capability and Infrastructure.
Joe was formerly the Deputy Commissioner at the Office of the Emergency Services Commissioner and has been a CFA volunteer for the past 10 years. He has led a number of highly strategic responses to events such as the 2009 Victorian bushfires and the floods of 2010-11.
Alen was formerly the Assistant Chief Fire Officer - Capability with the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE). For seven years he coordinated all Forestry Tasmania firefighting activities in single and multi-agency environments and was a key contributor to the Victorian Bushfire Strategy, with specific responsibility for the workforce and capability elements of the project. Welcome to the team Joe and Alen!

Queen's Birthday Honours
Congratulations to the 17 past and present CFA members who have been recognised for their contribution to the fire services and their communities through the prestigious awards of The Medal of the Order of Australia, the Australian Fire Service Medal and the Public Service Medal. Receiving The Medal of the Order of Australia was Bruce Campbell OAM, David McGahy OAM, Michael Chapman OAM, Frances Burns OAM and George Burns OAM, Ian Ewart OAM, Robert Rankin OAM, Ron Jacobs OAM, Terry Baker OAM, and Alexander Stoneman OAM. Receiving the Australian Fire Service Medal was Alan Dale AFSM, Bill Watson AFSM, Don Kelly AFSM, Joan Steel AFSM, Peter Marke AFSM and Trevor Roche AFSM. Receiving the Public Service Medal was Craig Lapsley PSM. Thank you to all for your service. A job well done to and keep up the good work!

At the Foster fire station in South Gippsland today, we launched a set of new and innovative ‘online' programs and other products that's going to make the delivery and maintenance of CFA training a lot more accessible from now on.

The August Board meeting was held at the Wangaratta training ground. Supervisor Richard Gardner led a tour of the recently-upgraded facilities which are used by a number of other emergency services and community organisations as well as our own brigades.

Some Board members also met representatives from Bobinawarrah and Milawa brigades to discuss matters of shared importance.

Chief Officers Commendations To Melton Crew: In the last "From The Chief Officer..." I referred to Chief Officer's commendations to Melton members. I omitted Lt Peter Staindl from the list of recipients. My mistake - sorry Peter!

New Zealand Earthquake
Recently we welcomed home the Victorian Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Team from their deployment to earthquake-hit Christchurch. CFA USAR Specialists SSO Doug Broom (Frankston) and SO Tony Heafield (Geelong City) were part of this contingent. This team was the second deployment of Australian personnel and included members from CFA, MFB, Ambulance Victoria and SES. They were involved in the grim search for deceased victims of the disaster through the process of "de-layering" rubble in the quake zone. The difficult task performed by the team was performed tremendously well. Job well done team!