CFA Connect Blogosphere

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!