The Fireman Columns
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Column in The Fireman - April 2008
Meeting Between CFA and VFBV Boards
In response to recent concerns expressed by VFBV on behalf of volunteers, a joint meeting between CFA Board and VFBV Board was held on 16th and 17th March. The meeting was a positive and successful discussion setting a foundation for the two Boards to work together to implement improvements required. Following the workshop a joint communiqué was issued by the two Boards on 19 March 2008 outlining some of the key commitments. These include a commitment from both CFA and VFBV Boards to work together to improve communication, engagement and consultation with volunteers at all levels within CFA. The Boards have recognised that this will require action as well as words and as such have reinforced a total commitment to the Volunteer Charter and committed to developing ‘mechanisms required to operationalise it and monitor the effectiveness of its application’. The Boards have agreed to ‘develop a shared vision for the future of CFA in relation to volunteers and volunteerism and will use this vision to ensure appropriate focus on the issues critical to the future success of CFA’s community and volunteer based foundations’.
The two Boards have agreed to hold ongoing meetings to ensure the above commitments are delivered. Developing the shared vision for the future of CFA in relation to volunteers and volunteerism is now the key next piece of work. Importantly the two Boards have clarified a shared aim which is to preserve and strengthen volunteerism in CFA into the future recognising the value and fundamental importance of volunteerism in delivering quality CFA services to the people of Victoria.
VFBV Regional Meetings
VFBV is committed to improving communication and links with grass roots volunteer issues. Face to face discussions are a vital part of being better connected with our members. Continuing with a commitment to regular attendance at Regional Council meetings during the past month CEO Andrew Ford attended Regional Council meetings at Region 10, Region 20, Region 9 and Region 2. VRFBA Executive Officer Bob MacDonald attended Regional Council meeting at Region 14. The visits provide an opportunity to hear first hand the key issues concerning brigades at regional level and also provide an opportunity to discuss current issues being dealt with by VFBV. VFBV future direction recognises the importance of empowering Regional Councils as a key forum in CFA, attendance at regional meetings will continue to be given high priority and over the next year VFBV will work with senior CFA officers to ensure there are strong links between Regional Councils and CFA consultative and decision making processes as a key means of improving genuine volunteer engagement in CFA consideration of all matters affecting volunteers.
Meetings of the VFBV Board will be held at the Kerang Fire Station on Friday 2nd May and at the Benalla Fire Station on Friday 30th May. Invitations have been forwarded to brigades, Groups and Regional Councils to meet with the Board members following completion of the Board meetings.
Open Forum
More than 150 volunteers attended the Joint Open Forum hosted by the two Associations on Saturday 29th March 2008. A wide range of issues were raised and discussed by the volunteers and many issues will be taken up with the CFA. Issues raised are listed in the VUFBA and VRFBA sections of the VFBV website and have been separately communicated to all brigades.
Operations Manager Neil Bumpstead also attended and spoke on the process for distribution of the new Structural PPC. Neil also displayed samples of the Nomex and PBI Gold ensembles which were of great interest to those in attendance.
Joint Meeting of Associations
The Associations held another joint meeting of the VRFBA State Council and the VUFBA Governing Body on Sunday 30th March. Issues raised by brigades and Regional Councils together with the issues raised at the Open Forum, were discussed by all delegates and are now to be raised with the CFA. Input was also provided into the proposed VFBV Position Paper and Draft VFBV Constitution.
Brigade and Membership Classification
The Chief Officer has now distributed a Position Paper on Brigade and Membership Classification following feedback to his initial Discussion Paper. Copies have been distributed to brigades and is available on Brigades OnLine. Volunteers are encouraged to view the Position Paper and provide further feedback via their brigade or Regional Council to the Chief Officer.
Road Closure Guidelines
Regional Council 10 raised their concerns at the impacts of revised Road Closure Guidelines introduced prior to the summer fire season. VFBV has previously raised its concerns at the Guidelines with the CFA, and at its meeting on 30th March the Associations had the opportunity to raise this matter personally with DCO Greg Esnouf. DCO Esnouf advised that the Guidelines were to be reviewed prior to the next summer fire season and we have requested volunteer input into this review.
Unified Representative Body for all CFA volunteers
Following consideration of feedback received to the discussion paper released last year, both Associations have agreed to VFBV developing and circulating a Position Paper and Draft Constitution on the proposed unified representative body. A separate article is included in this edition of the Fireman and further information will soon be available on VFBV Website. Previous advice indicated that a position paper would be issue during March however following discussion at the recent Joint Association State Council meeting some further detail needs to be included which will delay issue of the position paper by approximately one month. Once finalised the position paper will be distributed to all Brigades and Groups and in order to allow reasonable time for brigades and Regional Councils to consider the proposal a decision date is now likely to be August /September rather than June.
Urban State Championships
The Swan Hill Brigade hosted a very successful Senior State Championships in March and the Association congratulates the Brigade and its Championship Committee on an outstanding effort. Congratulations are also extended to the Grand Aggregate winning brigade Dandenong, and to all other placed and competing brigades. Our thanks to all trophy donors, officials, spectators and CFA staff who helped to make the Championships successful.
Rural State Championships
Congratulations are extended to the Region 24 Host Committee who conducted a most successful State Championships at the Wodonga Showgrounds on the weekend of 5th and 6th of April. The organisation and facilities provided belied the fact the Host Committee had only twelve months to prepare for the event.
The increase in entries was encouraging given that Wodonga is at an extremity of the State and a long way for South Western and Western brigades to travel. The spirit under which the competitions were run was a credit to all participants and again we had new records set in a number of events.
The 2009 State Championships will be conducted on the weekend of 4th and 5th April at Swan Hill and the Host Committee are already working hard.
