D14 Operations Report July 2011

Watch the video here:

Operations

Thank-you to all of those who have provided feedback on the District 14 Operations Report.  Feedback has been positive in that this monthly video report has been an effective means of communication in delivering information to the Region.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind CFA members of the processes in dealing with issues within your brigade. In the first instance, please raise the issue with a member of your Brigade Management Team – being your Brigade Administration Support Officer (BASO) or Operations Officer. These people work closely with Catchment Management and Group Officers, who are all able to represent your interests and feed your concerns up through the organisation and also within Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV).

Currently, CFA is one month in to its Winter Fire Safety Campaign, this year focusing on 100 days of winter. While traditionally winter is the busiest and highest risk time of year for house fires, fire safety is a 365-day focus for our organisation. Last year in the North West Metro Region we had two fatalities as a result of house fires. With the assistance of brigades in promoting fire safety in the home, we can ensure that this District remains fatality free. Please assist CFA in promoting its key messages about the importance of a working smoke alarm, as well as taking care with heaters and other electrical appliances, and cooking. A current focus for winter fire safety is electric blankets. On the back of a small fire at a Grovedale house this week, CFA is warning Victorians on the potential dangers of electric blankets. Last month, CFA attended three electric blanket fires in Scoresby, Traralgon and Melton West, which caused an estimated $290,000 worth of damage. This year there has been eight electric blanket fires – only three less than the total number of electric blanket fires in 2010. CFA is urging residents to turn their electric blankets on no more than 30 minutes before going to bed, and to turn them off before going to sleep. Other tips include ensuring the wiring is not damaged, the blanket is not bunched up and to check the electric blanket for burn spots.

Planning

Thanks to brigade members across the district who recently met at Attwood to discuss the strategic planning processes around Future Operation Infrastructure Plans (FOIP) for CFA’s North West Metro Region. The feedback we received was positive, and furthermore, it has been pleasing to see the interest among members in being involved in the future direction of District 14. This region faces huge growth, and while there are challenges associated with that growth, we have had some fantastic input from brigades, about what our future might, and can look like.

People News

A number of District 14 volunteers make history today, forming the new Wyndham Vale Fire Brigade, which is now fully operational. Congratulations to all those who have worked hard to see this idea become a reality – and a big thank-you to those members who have taken on the roles of brigade officers. As the city of Wyndham faces rapid growth, this brigade is an example of how CFA is working meet that change.

This report is an accompaniment to the District 14 Operations video report. Search for ‘District 14 Operations Report’ in the video section of CFA Connect, on CFA TV in Youtube and on Facebook (search North West Metro).