VFBV

CFA has requested VFBV review and provide feedback on 11 updated SOP's. A brief description of each is included below, and all may be downloaded from the bottom of this page. Also included is a VFBV comparison between the old and new SOP with significant changes highlighted. (A comparison is not included for the 2 new SOP's)

Members are encouraged to review the revised SOP's and provide any feedback, suggestions, or amendments including indicating support or non-support for the proposed policies.

Feedback can be provided by individuals, brigades or groups. You do not need to be a VFBV delegate in order to provide feedback.

All feedback is used to inform and influence formal VFBV positions as well as used to influence CFA positions and thinking during the deliberative process. If we need to use your feedback to demonstrate or illustrate the views of members, your personal details will not be shared with CFA, and feedback will always be de-identified to protect your privacy.

We encourage members to provide feedback as early as possible which will give us a chance to conduct further research that may assist us being able to advocate more strongly for your desired outcome.

All members are welcome and encouraged to provide feedback. If you have any questions, please contact your local State Councillor or VFBV Support Officer in the first instance.

9.07 Firefighting Foams and Retardants

• The existing SOP dated back to 2009 and originally titled 9.07 Foams, Wetting Agents and Other Additives – Firefighting SOP
• Since then, CFA has issued Operations Bulletins and other advice regarding foam
• All references to wetting agents have been removed as they are no longer used in operations
• Guidance is now provided for non-operational use of foam
• This review consolidated all relevant guiding documents and information into a single document to simplify dissemination to members
• Clearer advice on training requirements has been included to ensure compliance with EPA standards
• Schedule 1 now specifies the Class A and Class B concentrates approved for operational use

9.08 Health Monitoring and Rehabilitation Teams (HMRT)

• Update of existing 2007 SOP to reflect current Rehab processes
• Significant procedural and technical changes have occurred in health monitoring processes since its original publication
• The program name and function have changed to Health Monitoring and Rehabilitation Team
• The team now includes a rehabilitation component that provides CFA members with equipment and processes to manage fatigue, heat stress, or smoke exposure in a controlled and monitored environment
• Additional information has been added about the scope of practice to ensure HMRT members act within their defined role
• The SOP now details training requirements, key processes, and safety essentials for managing fatigue, health monitoring, and rehabilitation at incidents

9.39 Planning and Conducting a Planned Burn

• This SOP was last updated in 2021 but has been updated again to guide CFA members in planning and conducting planned burn operations
• Each step of the planned burn process has been amended to uphold current practices
• Re-structured some sections to meet current safety and procedural expectations, such as the Ignition Authorisation process
• The Ignition Authorisation section has been revised
• Key terminology updates include changing Burn Controller to Planned Burns Operations Officer (PBOO).
• Additional updates incorporate recent reviews and memos, including herbicide use and plant/pathogen clauses in the Environmental Notes section

9.40 Burn Offs

• This is a new SOP
• The SOP provides a detailed, risk-based approach to burn offs in the CFA context
• It outlines administrative and operational requirements for permitting and facilitating burn offs
• It highlights risks associated with burning hazardous materials (e.g., asbestos-containing building materials).
• Processes ensure personnel safety, require checks, and specify that CFA members should only burn Class A materials (leaves, branches, paper, etc.)

9.41 Prevention of Falls from Height

• SOP renamed and scope broadened to include other types of equipment used to work at heights
• It is now divided into two sections: Emergency response situations (use of ladders) / Storm and flood recovery
• Clarified the use of chainsaws in combination with the SWH system of work
• Amendments include legislative and training requirements previously omitted

10.02 Alpine Resorts

• This SOP had not been reviewed since 2005
• It now provides guidance on driving safety due to previous vehicle sliding incidents
• The SOP avoids duplicating content from other SOPs (e.g., structural firefighting risks) and instead focuses on primary concerns unique to alpine operations
• Focus of requirements specific to volunteer brigade operations in an alpine environment not typically encountered by other brigades

10.17 Threats Against Persons and Security Emergencies

• Renamed from 10.17 Sieges and Civil Disturbances – Response SOP
• The threat landscape has changed significantly, with increased violent incidents globally and in Australia, including vehicle-borne attacks and active armed offenders. Victoria Police has significantly changed their approach to active armed offenders
• Expanded to encompass threats against person / class 2 and security emergencies / class 3 emergencies more broadly and the procedure when a threat/security emergency develops mid-response
• The SOP now aligns CFA’s role in these incidents, particularly where CFA supports casualty management in the warm zone during active armed offender events
• By expanding the SOP from civil disturbances to threats against persons and security emergencies, CFA now provides clear guidance for safety-critical situations
• Detail the capabilities and responsibilities of CFA personnel in hot/warm/cold zones, including potentially required assistance to Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria

10.26 Supporting VICSES Storm and Flood Operations

• Changed title
• Addition of the supporting Storm Operations section to outline a more well-rounded procedure that encompasses both storm and flood situations as they can occur concurrently and have different requirements
• The updated SOP expands on crew safety to account for the varying hazards and related regulations
• The PPC section was developed to encompass additional safety requirements
• SES supported the review of this SOP
• The SOP clarifies CFA’s position on members trained in both chainsaw and SWAH operating on roofs

11.14 Use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)

• Updated support and guidance to volunteer brigades
• Alignment with organisational responsibilities

13.03 Working with Firebombing Aircraft

• This SOP was last updated in 2005 and required updated clauses to match current practices. Change to title and numbering, was 11.10 Water Bombing Aircraft – Working With SOP
• Guidance for night-time firebombing operations
• Commentary on presence of non-agency drones/RPAS during firebombing operations
• Clarity of health safety procedures during or post firebombing drop
• Considerations for environment and biodiversity are outlined to ensure CFA compliance with the Environment Protection Act 2017
• Clarity of tasking aircraft and roles and responsibilities, expressly those of the Air Attack Supervisor and Incident Controller (including when an Air Attack Supervisor is not immediately available).
• Updates to reporting requirements following an aviation near miss and/or incident (e.g. salmon cards).

16.01 Animals and Wildlife

• This is a new SOP
• This issue arises frequently, and the SOP was developed to provide clear advice to members on dealing with animals or wildlife in accordance with relevant requirements
• CFA has adopted a policy position empowering members to take actions to minimise harm to animals
• Clarifies responsibilities and capabilities of CFA personnel when there are animal and/or wildlife welfare concerns during both emergency operations and non-emergency activities
• Emphasises safety measures and parameters when coming into contact with animals and/or wildlife
• Clarifies CFA responsibilities as the control agency and notifications from the fireground to DEECA for animal and/or wildlife welfare concerns
• Informs CFA members on how they may identify local relevant contacts for animal and/or wildlife concerns for non-emergencies, rescues or removal from infrastructure/properties
• Provides personnel welfare information post incident where they may have experienced animals and/or wildlife that were impacted, injured, distressed or deceased

How to provide feedback:

It would be preferred that members provide feedback ASAP, so that it can be received incrementally, allowing us enough time to consolidate, identify trends and research issues raised by members. 

Feedback can be provided via:

1. Emailing to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
   
   
2. Your local VFBV District Council or your local VFBV Support Officer
   
   
3. By Post: 9/24 Lakeside Drive, Burwood East VIC 3151
   
   
4. By Fax: (03) 9886 1618

Feedback does not need to be long or detailed, but if you do have the time to make substantive comment that is always welcome.

If you generally support a principle or policy, then a quick note letting us know would also be helpful. Similarly, let us know if you do not support it, or which aspects of it you don't support.

Your feedback will assist us form a VFBV position and response to the proposed changes and help us advocate on behalf of CFA volunteers. Please consider getting involved, and providing us your feedback ASAP.

Please remember to provide feedback in support as well as against. If we only hear from those who are against, it can be harder to determine the general comfort level of members with the proposals.