The Fireman Columns
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Column in The Fireman - March 2008
VFBV Regional Meetings
In keeping with a commitment to ensure strong links with grass roots, VFBV Board is holding the majority of 2008 Board meetings at Regional locations. Last month the VFBV Board held its meeting Region 13 and on 29th February the VFBV Board meeting was held in Region 10 at Sale. A good number of volunteers from Region 10 plus some representatives from Region 11 shared a meal with VFBV Board members followed by a valuable two way discussion about issues of interest and concern to local volunteers plus some strategic issues affecting CFA overall. Those present at the meeting reported that it was a valuable opportunity and worthwhile discussion. VFBV Chairman Gary Lyttle and CEO Andrew Ford provided a brief overview of some of the key issues being addressed by VFBV, an outline of VFBV direction and an update on the work underway to establish a unified body to represent all CFA volunteers. Key issues raised by Region 10 and 11 volunteer representatives included:
Status of progress made in recent months to address concerns raised with CFA and Government about the protection of volunteer rights and CFA as a volunteer based organisation into the future.
The level of independence of VFBV given partial funding support by CFA - a number of examples were discussed to illustrate that VFBV relationship with CFA has not weakened its approach or ability to take strong and independent action on behalf of volunteers when required. Also discussed the need for VFBV and volunteers to be actively engaged and respected for their input at key decision making levels of CFA; the need for a well informed, proactive and collaborative approach; and the need for CFA, Government and other decision makers to recognise and respect the role VFBV/Associations perform in the leadership of a viable volunteer based CFA into the future and as the representative voice of CFA’s 60,000 volunteers;
Perception that CFA is a Melbourne centric bureaucracy and becoming disconnected from grass roots and concern that VFBV runs the risk of becoming Melbourne centric also given location of its office staff support team –discussion followed about importance of active Regional Councils, field visits, two way communication and need to ensure strong focus on issues affecting rural volunteers not just the growth areas of Melbourne;
Inequalities of the Fire Service Levy and concerns about impacts of some CFA initiatives which seem to place a disproportionate fire service levy burden on rural Victoria;
Desire to be advised of the results of the Brian Potter enquiry into 2006/07 fires;
Concerns about CFA proposals for larger Regions and changes to the Group/Catchment structure and its effects on remote rural brigades;
The recently released Road Closure policy – inadequate consultation with volunteers, negative impacts on operations and communities;
Desire for Groups to receive an invitation to the VFBV Regional meetings;
Discussion about proposal to bring VFBV, VUFBA and VRFBA together as one unified body, particularly a concern about ensuring representation of rural volunteer issues is not diminished; need to strengthen effectiveness of Associations; need to recognise different CFA cultures and need to stay connected to grass roots;
Communication with volunteers, particularly those without ready access to existing communication means such as Association newsletter, Fireman, VFBV website, Regional Council;
A view that CFA and the Joint Equipment Review Committee is not listening to rural volunteers with regard to Tanker design;
Wimmera Field Days (Region 17)
Representatives of VFBV; Chairman Gary Lyttle, CEO Andrew Ford and Executive Officer, Bob MacDonald attended the Wimmera Field Days at Longerenong Agricultural College and took the opportunity to hear views and speak with many of the leading volunteers from the region who attended. All three appreciated the opportunity to get the local perspective on a range of issues first hand.
2008 Joint Open Forum
A reminder of the Joint Open Forum for all CFA brigades being held 29th March. 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. Members are asked to inform VFBV or either Association of their attendance, for catering purposes.
Volunteer Concerns about protecting volunteer rights
Over the past year there has been much discussion about volunteer confidence in CFA Board and senior managements commitment to protecting the rights of volunteers and preserving the CFA’s volunteer based culture. Progress is being made and there are real signs that our message has been heard, including progress now being made on several specific examples of concern as outlined below. VFBV and CFA Boards will meet on 16th and 17th March to workshop the issues of concern and discuss how to improve things for the future. This is an extremely important workshop and VFBV is hopeful that the outcomes will be a positive step forward in strengthening awareness, respect and support for volunteers and the fundamental and pivotal role they play in the success of CFA as a community based, volunteer based fire and emergency service for the people of Victoria. The Volunteer Charter; strengthening engagement and real consultation with volunteers; recognition of the value volunteers contribute to the leadership and on ground success of CFA will be key issues raised by VFBV.
Brigade Owned Vehicles.
It is pleasing to note that after a significant period with little action, CFA has now reconvened the Brigade Owned Vehicle Working Party. At a meeting in early March, draft principles for a review of the way in which brigade and group owned vehicles are treated were agreed with. There is s lot more work to do and further meetings are planned, VFBV is hopeful that some progress will now be made as this issue has been raised as an example of an important volunteer matter not receiving due attention within CFA.
Structural Protective Clothing
Volunteers will be aware that late last year, CFA Board made a decision to offer all CFA structural firefighters a choice of either a Nomex 3D and PBI Gold as an outer PPC shell. Both options will have an inner layer Gore Airlocker moisture barrier. During the recent months, there has been much discussion about the CFA Board’s decision on this matter, including concerns about a subsequent CFA proposal to alter the outer of the Nomex ensemble from its original lime green/yellow colour so that it would match the tan brown colour of the PBI Gold ensemble.
It is pleasing to see that the CFA Board has recently reconsidered the matter of ensemble colour and will provide CFA firefighters with the Nomex 3D structural ensemble in one colour only – the lime green color used in the selection trial process and ranked as the preferred ensemble by that process. All structural firefighters will be offered a choice of Nomex 3D or PBI Gold outer shell, both with a Gore Airlocker moisture barrier. Both ensembles exceed the required safety standards.
In restating its previous direction to rollout the new ensembles to structural firefighters as soon as possible, the Board also considered that the new decision to issue Nomex 3D in lime green only will simplify the overall project and remove delays in the manufacture and distribution of the new ensembles.
CFA Uniforms.
Another issue that has been on the table for some time is the CFA volunteer uniform. The Uniform Working Party has held two meetings in recent months to work towards providing a uniform for all CFA volunteers. Work is in the early stages and various alternatives are being examined. This work is on-going and once again VFBV is hopeful that progress will now be made on this issue.
CFA Volunteer Access to National Parks
VFBV has been actively pursuing the issue of a previous Govt commitment to provide volunteers with free access to National Parks. Although the issue is still not finalised we have been advised that the State Government is in the final stages of implementing the Free Access for Volunteers to National Parks policy. Volunteers will receive information on this initiative, including how to obtain free access to the Parks, in the coming months. Further information will be provided by VFBV as soon as it comes to hand.
Urban State Championships
Junior Championships. Another great State Junior Championships was held over the weekend of 23-24 February. The Traralgon brigade is congratulated on its preparation for and the actual hosting of the Championships over the weekend.
Congratulations also to all competitors on their efforts over the weekend and to the overall winning team Kangaroo Flat and Under 14 Years winners, Maldon.
Senior Championships. At the time of writing this column, the Senior State Championships, are still three days away but everything is in readiness for another excellent weekend of competition and camaraderie. The Swan Hill brigade has worked tirelessly to ensure first class facilities for the competitors, officials and spectators. We look forward to another great weekend.
