February 2009 Fires - Key Message Bulletins

Posted: 16/02/2009
National Day of Mourning

The Prime Minister's office has announced that A National Day of Mourning – Together for Victoria – will be held at Rod Laver Arena and surrounds at 11.00am on Sunday 22 February to honour the victims of Victoria’s bushfires and to recognise the courage and tireless efforts of emergency service workers.

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Posted: 14/02/2009
SAFETY

Please continue the emphasis on safety that has kept our volunteers and staff safe during these difficult events. The message should be to ‘Remember Your Training – Be Safe’.

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Posted: 14/02/2009
WELFARE & CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS

VFBV is working closely with CFA to ensure that there is appropriate counseling and welfare provided to our members where required. Obviously the trauma undergone by many of our volunteers will need to be carefully managed to ensure there is minimum impact.

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Posted: 14/02/2009
DEPTH of RESOURCES

Significant resources continue to be deployed to combat some fires in difficult country following the horrific conflagration on Saturday 7 February.

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Posted: 14/02/2009
VFBV BLACK SATURDAY VOLUNTEER RECOVERY FUND

The VFBV Board, CEO and staff are working to establish a Recovery Fund for members directly impacted by the Black Saturday fires. This fund will allow for donations from organisations and individuals who have expressed the desire to donate funds to CFA firefighters or their families that have suffered losses as a result of their homes destroyed/damaged or have tragically lost family members.

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Posted: 14/02/2009
MANAGING BRIGADE RESOURCES

 Key to the durability of our brigades and their ongoing capacity is the management of resources both equipment and personnel. With the potential for a long road ahead, encourage your brigades and brigade members to:

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Posted: 14/02/2009
REMARKABLE SAVES

 Advice is filtering in of tales of great work by crews limiting damage and halting the spread of potentially large fires from across the State.

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Posted: 14/02/2009
EMPLOYERS

 Credit goes to our self employed volunteers, to the employers of our volunteers who have responded to the current emergency by:

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Posted: 14/02/2009
FAMILIES SUPPORTING FIREFIGHTERS

 Hats off again to the families of our volunteers and paid staff who by their active support and encouragement allow our people to respond and contribute to these and other fire and emergency events.

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Posted: 14/02/2009
WHO’s CONTRIBUTING?

 Ever considered the depth of support our fire service family brings to the fire suppression and recovery:

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Posted: 14/02/2009
ASBESTOS WARNING

 Please ensure that we all remain aware when working in areas where buildings have been destroyed, crews are conscious of checking for the existence of asbestos and taking the appropriate precautions (PPE).

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Posted: 14/02/2009
FEM BRIGADES

 The fire situation will impact on some FEM brigades and communities serviced by these brigades. Brigades may not be in a position to deliver FEM services or supervise a contractor over the next few weeks or longer.

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Posted: 14/02/2009
CFA INSURANCE CLAIMS ADVISE/ASSISTANCE

 VFBV is pleased to advise all CFA members that CFA has engaged as consultants, Loss Management International (LMI) to assist CFA members with preparing or lodging insurance claims, or testing their claims for fairness.

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Posted: 14/02/2009
JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS CONFIRMED

VFBV following consultations with CFA management confirm the Junior Urban Championships at Hamilton on February 20 and 21 are to continue as planned. In making this decision, the Championships Committee and VFBV acknowledge the impact of the Black Saturday fires and the lives forever changed by these tragic events.

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