The Fireman Columns
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Column in The Fireman - February 2008
VFBV Regional meetings (Meeting at Sale – 29 February 2008)
During 2008 VFBV Board will hold the majority of Board meetings in Regional Victoria to provide another opportunity for volunteers to meet and talk with Board members about the issues that are important to you and to provide an opportunity for volunteers to hear first hand about the issues VFBV is pursuing on your behalf. The VFBV Board will hold its February meeting at the Sale Regional office on 29th February 2008. An invitation is extended to brigades to meet with the members of the Board following the Board meeting. The meeting with brigades will commence at 6.30pm following a light meal at 6.00pm. For catering purposes any volunteer intending to attend should advise the VUFBA (9775 0117 or email vufba@vfbv.com.au)
On May 2 the Board is planning to hold its meeting at the Kerang fire station, and VFBV issues an invitation to representatives of brigades in that area to join them for a meal and a discussion afterwards. On 29th May a similar meeting will be held at the Benalla fire station.
VFBV February Board Meeting and Region 13 visit
Key items discussed at VFBV February Board meeting included:
- extensive discussion with CFA CEO about addressing concerns raised by VFBV following special meeting of senior volunteers held 25th November;
- update on EBA negotiations and progress made to address volunteer impacts
- special workshop to be held in March between CFA Board and VFBV Board to discuss concerns raised by VFBV;
- CFA Boards PPC decision;
- future direction priorities for CFA as emerging from recent CFA Board planning workshop. CFA Board identified volunteerism as the highest strategic priority, other priorities are CFA organisational health, environment and climate change, industrial relations and funding.;
- discussion currently occurring nationally amongst fire services about future possibilities for reimbursement of volunteer out of pocket expenses
- moving from feasibility study to establishment of a VFBV welfare fund for all volunteers.
A successful meeting with brigades from Region 13 was held on 2nd February and although numbers were down, all attending agreed the meeting was well worthwhile. Issues discussed at the meeting included an update on progress toward addressing recent concerns raised by VFBV with CFA; progress regarding establishing a unified representative body for all CFA volunteers; Structural PPC update and next steps; proposed VFBV Welfare fund for all CFA volunteers; OHS concerns; EEO and bullying/harassment warranting higher priority focus in CFA; improving communication; training and course cancellation concerns; plus numerous other issues. The forum provided an invaluable opportunity for VFBV Board members to listen to the priority concerns of volunteers and to discuss some of the key issues being dealt with by VFBV.
Volunteers voice concerns
Most readers of this column will recall communication about a number of concerns raised by VFBV with CFA Board and CEO resulting in a growing loss of confidence in CFA Board and senior managements commitment to protecting volunteers rights and the future viability of CFA as a volunteer based organisation. Whilst some concerns remain there has been some progress toward finding a way forward.
VFBV Chairman Gary Lyttle and CEO Andrew Ford met with CFA Chairman Kerry Murphy and CEO Neil Bibby in December and agreed on some positive outcomes. VFBV received strong support from CFA CEO and Board to convene a special workshop between the CFA and VFBV Boards to discuss areas of concern, and identify what needs to change in order to realign CFA culture, systems, processes and structure based on the philosophy and recognition that volunteers are the core of CFA. Another key outcome is a resolution from CFA Board January meeting reinforcing CFA Boards commitment that CFA is a community based, volunteer based organisation requiring an embedded culture that recognises volunteers are the core strength of CFA and which builds on the concept of an integrated team.
In December VFBV received letter from Premier Brumby expressing the Governments deep appreciation of the efforts of all volunteers and reaffirming his personal and the Governments commitment to the Volunteer Charter. The Premier has offered to meet with VFBV and it is VFBV intention to seek a meeting after our meeting with CFA Board.
CFA CEO N Bibby has advised that CFA and UFU have reached in principle agreement with regard to firefighter EBA negotiations and firefighter salary increases have been paid which is welcome news. Not all VFBV concerns regarding volunteer impacts have been addressed and VFBV is still pursuing these matters with CFA CEO and Board.
We hope that the CFA Board Members and Senior Management read the Fireman Sam article in the January edition of this paper. Fireman Sam reinforced the message being given to CFA by VFBV and the meeting of senior volunteers on 25 November last.
2008 Open Forum
VFBV and the two Volunteer Associations will again be conducting a Joint Open Forum and representatives from all CFA brigades are invited to attend. VFBV, the VRFBA and the VUFBA, encourage all brigades to send delegates to the Open Forum to receive direct feedback on the operations of VFBV and the two Associations, and brigades are given the opportunity to raise directly any other issues of interest or concern. The Open Forum will be held at the Whitehorse Club, 298-336 Burwood Highway, East Burwood on Saturday 29th March 2008, commencing at 1.00pm, following a light lunch at 12.30.
Retirement of VUFBA Secretary
Peter Davis has advised the VUFBA that he intends to retire as Secretary of the Association in early July. An advertisement seeking applications for appointment to this position is included in this edition of The Fireman. With the move towards merging the two Associations, some changes to the role of this position will occur in the future but it will still provide a key focus for issues specific to urban brigades.
Single Stage Ladder
Further to the item in our December column advising brigades that the Ladder Review Committee had recommended to the Chief Officer that a 4m single stage ladder be approved for Medium Pumpers, brigades are advised that the Chief Officer has given his approval subject to the ladders being operationally justified. Our position is that these ladders are operationally justified for these vehicles. We understand that most Regions have agreed to brigade requests for provision of this ladder at the Region’s cost, but that some Regions have requested brigades to meet the cost of the ladder themselves. Hopefully common sense will prevail eventually.
Structural PPC
Many brigades have understandably asked questions about the next steps regarding CFA structural PPC. Although VFBV still has a number of concerns regarding the CFA Structural PPC decision, CFA Board recently reaffirmed their decision to provide a choice of ensembles for all CFA firefighters – the CFA Board decision is reiterated in a recent CFA communiqué on this matter. As further information that may be useful to brigades, VFBV understanding of the current status is that CFA Deputy Chief Officer Haynes is now working with the PPC Design Review Committee (which includes Association and UFU representatives) to develop, final design detail (ie pockets, collar etc). Our understanding is that the final detail design work will be completed by end February 2008 and signed off by CFA Chief Officer by mid March. Criteria and business rules for allocation of the new Structural PPC are also expected to be finalised by end February. Once business rules have been finalised, CFA plans to commence measuring/fitting process starting from the busiest brigades – this process should start in late March. VFBV have been advised that CFA’s implementation process will provide an opportunity for individuals to view both ensembles prior to making a choice. PPC allocation criteria is currently being developed by DCO Haynes, the Associations will have input into this.
New VRFBA Rule Book Online
The VRFBA has updated its Championships Rule Book and this now available by going to the VFBV website www.vfbv.com.au and following the links to VRFBA and Championships.
There are new track layouts which can be downloaded as well the most recent rule changes.
More Regions hold Championships
Following the difficulties with water supply last year and the subsequent cancellation of many Regional Championships it is pleasing to see many of the events are back this year. A list of Championships with dates and locations appears in a display ad elsewhere in this paper. Region 24 Championships Committee advise they are well advanced in their preparation for the 2008 State Championships to be held at Wodonga on 5 & April. Competing brigades are advised that entry forms have been distributed to all regional Championships secretaries and team gradings will be available online on Wednesday 19 March.
Joint Operations Consultative Committee
JOCC which is made up of representatives of the volunteer bodies as well as the Chief Officer and the Deputy Chief Officers met at the end of January for what was a most fruitful meeting. Chief Officer Russell Rees tabled a draft version of his position paper on brigade classification and the membership of brigades and asked the volunteer bodies to provide him with their comments before the end of February. The paper will then be distributed to the CFA wider community.
DCO John Haynes tabled a draft paper on the business rules on the distribution of structural personal protective clothing and the volunteer bodies were asked to provide feedback.
Mike Evans from VRFBA presented a range of wildfire jackets and undershirts for the meeting to consider and it was recommended to the PPC Committee that they give consideration to the clothing currently produced for the Queensland and WA fire services.
A draft of the Brigade owned Vehicle Policy was presented in its early stages and the BOV Working party will meet on 3rd March to move this project forward.
DCO Haynes provided the meeting with some work he has done on future uniforms for both staff and volunteers and it was agreed to investigate interstate uniforms and their costings.
At the next meeting of JOCC on March 30 the 2006/07 Summer Campaign issues document produced by VFBV will be discussed as will the future training needs for low voltage fuse removal, the outcomes of the recent ENRC Inquiry into the impact of public land management practices on bushfires in Victoria and a CFA/DSE special bushfire strategy funding submission.
Unified representative body for all CFA volunteers
Feedback from brigades on the discussion paper issued in September 2007 has now been complete and responses received from around the state will now be used to refine a recommended final position on this matter. It is planned to finalise a position paper for release to all brigades in March and it is intended for this issue to be put for a decision at the June Joint Association Meeting. Regional Councils are encouraged to schedule a discussion on this item some time between now and June, VFBV representatives will be available to attend to assist discussions.
VFBV Website
Please visit the VFBV website (www.vfbv.com.au) for further information on some of the above and other key matters of interest to volunteers plus an opportunity to provide your feedback.
