We try and accommodate all requests for training and to accomplish this, the campus is available most weekends, and four nights per week. So please be assured that we do not knock back requests for training lightly, particularly at short notice. If this should occur, we would appreciate your understanding, and rescheduling will occur as soon as possible.Standard Opening Hours – Access to Bangholme is available five days per week (0800 – 1630 hrs), four nights per week (1900 – 2130 hrs) and weekends (0900 – 1500 hrs). Times outside of these may be available but an additional overtime charge for staff will apply.
Electronic Booking Sheets – Booking sheets are now available on-line via http://intranet.cfa.vic.gov.au/mycfa/Show?pageId=tgSetg
Loan Equipment – Bangholme is keen to have loan equipment available to as many brigades as possible. To ensure that equipment can be cleaned and refurbished prior to being provided to the next brigade it would be appreciated if loan equipment could be returned by 10:00am on the day of return (unless prior arrangements are made).
Dress Standards in Dining Area and Administration Building - In late 2010, the Bangholme OH&S Committee raised the issue of wearing turnout gear in the administration building, and in particular the dining room. The wearing of turn-out gear in ‘clean’ areas was seen as unhygienic and contrary to normal CFA policy of providing a healthy and safe workplace. Fiskville has a no turn-out gear policy in both the PAD meals area and the main dining room.The issue was raised at the Bangholme Users Group Meeting, which includes representatives of CFA Eastern Metro, CFA Southern Metro and CFA Northern & Western Metro, MFB, Ambulance Victoria, and SES. The proposal listed the minimum dress standard as t-shirt, shorts and clean footwear. Items no longer permitted were fire fighting ensemble (including over pants), overalls, singlets, thongs, headwear not of a religious nature and other items of protective equipment. The User Group accepted the proposal in August 2011. In late November 2011 temporary signage was placed on the doors to the dining room and administration building indicating the proposed changes, and that they would be implemented as of 9 Jan 2012. Information was also provided to members of the User Group for dissemination. Permanent signage has now been placed on the entries indicating ‘No Protective Clothing Permitted Beyond this Point’. Redevelopment of the Cobb Court/Wet Kitchen area is being planned to offer seating, hooks and protection from the weather. This will allow people who do not wish, or are unable to, comply with the new dress policy to have a rest and relaxation area outside of the main administration building. Boot cleaners have already been placed at entrances to the administration building. What it means for people working/training at Bangholme: Bring a spare pair of shoes in case your boots cannot be sufficiently cleaned. OH&S requirements prevent people entering the dining area only wearing socks. Ensure that you wear suitable clothing under your PPC, or else bring clean shorts and t-shirt to change into.
New Drinking Water Policy - Hydration, the replenishment of fluids and electrolytes in the body is vital to the regulation of body temperature, assists with sweating and prevents dehydration by restoring and/or maintaining fluid balances. Consequently water needs to be freely available at Bangholme to all staff and students. Currently at Bangholme a large amount of water is provided in disposable plastic bottles (approximately 1,200 bottles per month). These plastic bottles use a large amount of energy in their production and transportation. Despite the best attempts at recycling, most of the bottles issued to users of Bangholme end up as landfill. In support of the Green Office Project Bangholme is introducing new procedures to reduce the use of disposable water bottles. These changes are: Re-useable glass bottles and drinking glasses are provided in all classrooms in the administration area. Filtered cooled water is available at water fountains in the dining hall, Cobb Court, the BA building and the technical rescue area. The location of the water fountains are clearly marked by Hydration Point signs. Bottled water is still available, if required, for Flammable liquid training and the fire attack building.People attending the site are encouraged to bring their own re-useable drink bottles for refilling at the water fountains.600ml lightweight aluminium sports bottles are available for purchase from Bangholme at the cost price of $5.00. These bottles are recommended by CFA OH&S and are also the right size for the mixing of the tubes of hydrate with water.
Asbestos Update - From information distributed last year you are probably aware that there had been some contaminated soil delivered to Bangholme. As a consequence the site was closed for a couple of periods to allow for remediation actions to occur. This work has now been completed and the site was given an all clear in late January. Unfortunately the conditions of the all clear will not permit the planned Off Road Driving Range to proceed.
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