VFBV

As members would be aware, the submission survey commenced in December 2019. Due to the high level of operational activity over the fire season, the closing date for submissions has again been extended to Friday 15 May 2020.

State Council has supported a request from District Council #9 to investigate and obtain the views of members on the continued use of 16-and-17-year old’s as operational members.

Members can access the template/survey from the bottom of this page under Downloads, or an online version is available from: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/16and17YearOldMembers   

Background

For the purposes of the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 a child is defined as any person under the age of 18 years.

Current CFA policy is that the minimum age for a member to be approved as an operational member and attend fires and incidents is 16 years of age. These members require parental consent to be documented during their application process.

CFA SOP 6.02 includes the following considerations:

- 16-and-17-year old members must be endorsed by the Brigade OIC to undertake operational activities

- An adult crew member other than the Incident Controller or Crew Leader must be designated as an ‘authorised accompanying operational firefighter’ for every two 16-and-17-year old crew members

- A maximum of two 16-and-17-year old members may be allocated per appliance at any given time

- When an incident response involves the serious injury or fatality of a person(s), the Authorised Accompanying Operational Firefighter must take all reasonable steps to shield the 16-and-17-year old CFA member(s) from potentially traumatic situations.

CFA released an updated Operations Bulletin in May 2019 (Operations Bulletin 008/2018 v2) which includes:

- CFA is obliged to meet a range of legislative requirements focused on keeping children safe within the organisation. These include:

- the Victorian Government Child Safe Standards mandated under the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005;

- the statutory duty of care imposed by the Wrongs Amendment (Organisational Child Abuse) Act 2017 (Vic);

- the obligations of CFA as per the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004

- Discouraging the turning out of 16-and-17-year old’s to potentially traumatic situations when attending a fire or other incident as a member of our Brigades through exercising operational discretion, and

- Prohibiting the turning out of 16-and-17-year old members at long haul strike teams

Recent Statistics

Preliminary CFA analysis on the activity of 16-and-17-year old members found:

- There is approx. 589 members who are currently aged between 16-and-17-year’s of age

- Approx 196 of those are classified as ‘operational’

- Over the least two years, 143 have recorded responding to actual operational activity

Consultation

While a formal CFA future position is not known at this time, CFA has informally indicated it is very likely to be reviewing it position in the future. To assist with early discussions, State Council has agreed to commence preliminary consultation with members to inform the development of a future VFBV position. Feedback will also inform early discussions with CFA and assist with preliminary VFBV advocacy should CFA choose to formally seek VFBV’s views on a future review.

Brigades, Groups and members are encouraged to discuss at their local District Council meetings, and all members including juniors, parents, fellow brigade members and leaders are encouraged to consider making submission so that all perspectives can be understood and considered.

To help members provide structured feedback and/or submission, the following template has been developed to guide submission. Members are not required to use this template and may submit opinion and/or feedback in any other written form. However – use of this template will assist VFBV collate and identify common themes.

Timeline

The closing date for the survey has been extended to Friday 15 May 2020 due to the high level of operational activity over the fire season.

State Council will review an consider feedback to the survey later in the year.

Please note: All personal identifying information will be removed from State level analysis and no identifying information will be provided to CFA or any other entity. All submissions will be treated as private and de-identified for analysis, with only trend, and general geographic summaries (such as District and Region) provided in results.

On the 6th April, State Council requested that both the Federal and State bushfire inquiries that were established earlier this year extend the period available for volunteers to make submission.

With this year’s debriefing and after-action reviews significantly impacted by COVID-19, there is little opportunity or chance for CFA members to genuinely respond to the terms of reference.

With submissions for both enquiries closing shortly after Easter (April 15 for the Victorian Enquiry and April 17 for the Federal Enquiry) State Council is urging a little common sense and respect for those who have not had a second to catch their breath from this year’s fire season.

Update: 9th April 2020: Both inquiries have made a short extension to their submission closing timelines. The new closing dates for submission for each are:

Federal - closing date of Tuesday 28th April 2020

State - closing date of Thursday 30th April 2020

Federal Inquiry

The Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements was established on 20 February 2020 in response to the extreme bushfire season of 2019-20 which resulted in loss of life, property and wildlife and environmental destruction.

Sometimes referred to as the ‘Bushfires Royal Commission’, the Commission will examine coordination, preparedness for, response to and recovery from disasters as well as improving resilience and adapting to changing climatic conditions and mitigating the impact of natural disasters. The inquiry will also consider the legal framework for Commonwealth involvement in responding to national emergencies.

Terms of Reference are located here: https://naturaldisaster.royalcommission.gov.au/about/terms-reference 

Submissions can be made via here: https://naturaldisaster.royalcommission.gov.au/submissions 

Summary of Terms of Reference

1. the responsibilities of, and coordination between, the Commonwealth and State, Territory and local Governments relating to preparedness for, response to, resilience to, and recovery from, natural disasters, and what should be done to improve these arrangements, including with respect to resource sharing;
   
   
2. Australia’s arrangements for improving resilience and adapting to changing climatic conditions, what actions should be taken to mitigate the impacts of natural disasters, and whether accountability for natural disaster risk management, preparedness, resilience and recovery should be enhanced, including through a nationally consistent accountability and reporting framework and national standards;
   
   
3. whether changes are needed to Australia’s legal framework for the involvement of the Commonwealth in responding to national emergencies, including in relation to the following:
   1. thresholds for, and any obstacles to, State or Territory requests for Commonwealth assistance;
   2. whether the Commonwealth Government should have the power to declare a state of national emergency;
   3. how any such national declaration would interact with State and Territory emergency management frameworks;
   4. whether, in the circumstances of such a national declaration, the Commonwealth Government should have clearer authority to take action (including, but without limitation, through the deployment of the Australian Defence Force) in the national interest;
      
      
4. any relevant matter reasonably incidental to a matter referred to in paragraphs (a) to (c).

State Inquiry

On 14 January 2020 the government announced an inquiry into the 2019-2020 Victorian fire season would be conducted by the Inspector-General for Emergency Management (IGEM).

Through this Inquiry, IGEM will examine Victoria’s preparedness for the fire season, response to fires in large parts of Victoria's North East, Gippsland, and Alpine regions, and will review relief and recovery efforts.

Terms of Reference are located here: https://www.igem.vic.gov.au/Fire-Season-Inquiry

Submissions can be made via here: https://www.igem.vic.gov.au/Fire-Season-Inquiry 

Summary of Terms of Reference

Phase 1: Matters for consideration:

• Effectiveness of emergency management command and control and accountability arrangements in Victoria.
  
  
• Effectiveness of Victoria’s operational response to the 2019-20 fire season.
  
  
• Review of the effectiveness of the declaration of a state of disaster under the Emergency Management Act 1986 – including the appropriateness of supporting legislative and administrative processes, communication, and community compliance.
  
  
• State evacuation planning and preparedness processes/practices and their effectiveness with an emphasis on remote/isolated communities and Victorian peak holiday season locations.
  
  
• The timeliness and effectiveness of activation of Commonwealth assistance, and Commonwealth resource availability
  
  
• Preparedness ahead of the 2019-20 fire season; including the effectiveness of regional emergency management work undertaken to inform and educate the community about the coming season, community engagement, impact of lengthening fire seasons, and any relevant legislation, policy and practice. 
  
  
• Consider all challenges and implications for bushfire preparedness arising from increasingly longer and more severe bushfire seasons as a result of climate change. 
  
  
• In the context of bushfire preparedness, assess the readiness and responsibilities of statutory agencies, Local Government and State Government bodies. 
  
  
• Review of all opportunities and approaches to bushfire preparedness, including different methods of fuel and land management (for example ‘cool burning’, mechanical slashing, integrated forest management, traditional fire approaches) to protect life and property as well as ecological and cultural values.
  
  
• Consideration of the effectiveness of Victoria’s Code Red day arrangements and their application in practice.
  
  
• In considering effectiveness of Victoria’s operational response to the 2019-20 fire season, IGEM should particularly consider:
  • effectiveness of the State’s response priorities, including primacy of life
  • effectiveness of public information and warning systems, including cross-border coordination and communication
  • impact of increasingly longer fire seasons on the ability to prepare, deploy and sustain efforts directed towards emergency events in Victoria
  • impact of providing Victorian responder officers to other Australian jurisdictions to assist with emergency events (as early as September 2019 this summer season)
  • availability and utilisation of private assets and resources (including plant equipment) to support emergency preparedness and response
  • planning and response mechanisms to protect biodiversity threatened by bushfire
  • effectiveness of the existing workforce model to support response, relief and recovery.
    
    
• Review support available to staff and volunteers in terms of mental health and wellbeing.
  
  
• Consideration of the adequacy of existing administrative and funding mechanisms in place at a state level to support the operational response efforts.
  
  
• In considering the timeliness and effectiveness of activation of Commonwealth assistance, and Commonwealth resource availability, IGEM should particularly consider:
  • effectiveness of current national resource sharing arrangements when multiple and simultaneous fire events are occurring
  • effectiveness of existing governance arrangements supporting access to Commonwealth and State air fleets
  • use and integration of Australian Defence Force assets into Victoria’s emergency response and relief operations.

Information concerning financial support and recovery assistance is very dynamic and frequently being updated. Below is a snapshot of current resources available to assist with member enquiries. We will continue to monitor and update as new information comes to hand.

Health Information - including restrictions and operational guidance can be found via this article: https://vfbv.com.au/index.php/component/k2/item/784-covid-19 

Updated 9th April 2020 to include updated information on Job Keeper payment; small business; land tax and childcare. 

Loss of employment

If you’ve lost employment or income you can apply for JobSeeker Payment (Formerly Newstart) which is $565 per fortnight for people who are single and without children.  The rate varies if you have a partner or dependents.  Visit: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/jobseeker-payment 

If you’re able to receive JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance, Austudy, Abstudy Parenting Payment, Farm Household Allowance or Special Benefit an additional $565 will be paid each fortnight from 27 April for at least six months.

The government has temporarily expanded eligibility for the JobSeeker and Youth Allowance payments, meaning you may be eligible if you are:

• A permanent employee who has been stood down or lost your job
• A sole trader, self-employed, a casual or contract worker whose income has reduced
• Caring for someone who’s affected by COVID-19.
   

Sole traders and casual workers who are currently making less than $1,075 a fortnight will be eligible to receive the full supplement.

If you are already receiving one of the above welfare payments, you do not need to do anything. Services Australia will automatically pay the Coronavirus Supplement to eligible recipients from April 27.

Visit: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/news/more-financial-support-coronavirus-affected-job-seekers for further information.


Job Keeper Payment

Businesses impacted by the Coronavirus will be able to access a wage subsidy from the Government to continue paying their employees. Affected employers will be able to claim a fortnightly payment of $1,500 per eligible employee from 30 March 2020, for a maximum of 6 months. Eligible employees will receive a minimum of $1,500 per fortnight, before tax. It will be up to the employer if they want to pay superannuation on any additional wage paid because of JobKeeper Payments.

If you ordinarily receive $1,500 or more in income per fortnight before tax, you will continue to receive your regular income according to the prevailing workplace arrangements. The JobKeeper Payments   will subsidise part or all of your income.

• If you ordinarily receive less than $1,500 in income per fortnight before tax, your employer must pay you, at a minimum, $1,500 per fortnight, before tax.
• If you have been stood down, your employer must pay you, at a minimum, $1,500 per fortnight, before tax.
• If you were employed on 1 March 2020, subsequently ceased employment and then were re-engaged by the same eligible employer, you will receive, at a minimum, $1,500 per fortnight, before tax.
• Are at least 16 years of age.
• Are an Australian citizen, the holder of a permanent visa, a protected special category visa, a non-protected special category visa who has been residing continually in Australia for 10 years or more, or a New Zealander on a special category (subclass 444) visa
• Your partner earns less than $79,762

Payment will begin in May and will be backdated to 30 March

Visit: https://treasury.gov.au/coronavirus/jobkeeper 

Household assistance

Two $750 payments will be made to anyone receiving government payments including family tax benefit or is a Commonwealth Senior Card holder.  The first payment,  will made from 31 March and the second payment, from 13 July.

Pensioners

The deeming rates, which are used for the pension income assessment, will be reduced by another 0.25 percentage points to reflect the latest rate reductions by the Reserve Bank of Australia.  Beginning in early May, the lower deeming rate will be 0.25 per cent and the upper deeming rate will be 2.25 per cent.


Small businesses and not-for-profits.

Small businesses and NFPs with employees and a turnover under $50 million will receive a tax-free cash payment of up to $100,000 to help them keep staff and continue operations. This will generally be based on the previous financial year’s income. 

Assistance is also available for businesses to make investments, write-off assets and to support apprentices & trainees.

For further information on how this will be paid and your eligibility visit: https://treasury.gov.au/coronavirus/businesses 

The Victorian State Government has announced a relief package for businesses that includes changes to payroll tax, hardship payments and grants to industries badly impacted or affected by the state’s shutdown rules.

For More information visit: https://www.sro.vic.gov.au/coronavirus 

Land tax deferral

Land owners due to pay 2020 land tax that have at least one non-residential property and total taxable landholdings below $1 million have the option of deferring their 2020 land tax payment until after 31 December 2020.

The State Revenue Office will contact all taxpayers who are eligible for this deferral.

Superannuation

individuals financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to access $10,000 of their super this financial year, and another $10,000 next financial year.

This withdrawal will be tax-free, and will have no baring on your current Centrelink payments.

From mid-April 2020, eligible individuals will be able to apply online through www.my.gov.au to access up to $10,000 of their superannuation before July 1, 2020. They will also be able to access up to a further $10,000 from July 1, 2020, for approximately three months.

To be eligible, you must satisfy one or more of the following requirements:

• You are unemployed
• You are eligible to receive a job seeker payment, youth allowance for jobseekers, parenting payment, special benefit or farm household allowance
• On or after January 1, 2020, either:
  You were made redundant
  Your working hours were reduced by 20 per cent or more
  If you are a sole trader, your business was suspended or there was a reduction in your turnover of 20 per cent or more.

Childcare

On 2 April 2020, the Australian Government announced the new Early Childhood Education and Care Relief Package. From Monday 6 April 2020 weekly payments will be made directly to early childhood education and care services in lieu of the Child Care Subsidy and the Additional Child Care Subsidy, to help them keep their doors open and employees in their jobs.

Payments will be made until 28 June 2020 and families will not be charged fees during this time. These payments will complement the JobKeeper Payment announced by the Prime Minister on 30 March 2020. Early childhood education and child care services do not need to apply for the payments, they will be paid automatically. 

https://www.dese.gov.au/news/covid-19-early-childhood-education-and-care-relief-package-monday-6-april-additional-support 

Financial Counselling

Financial counsellors are professionals, regulated by federal legislation and employed by not for profit community organisations. They provide information, advice and advocacy support free of charge, assisting people in dealing with life situations involving debt and hardship, dealing with creditors, and stabilising finances. The National Debt Helpline is staffed by financial counsellors and can be contacted on 1800 007 007

Free financial counselling services can be found at:

https://ndh.org.au/ - National Debt Helpline – 1800 007 007

https://www.agriculture.gov.au/ag-farm-food/drought/assistance/rural-financial-counselling-service - Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) - 1800 900 090

https://www.financialcounsellingaustralia.org.au/ - Financial Counselling Australia – (03) 8554 6979

VFBV Welfare Fund

Operating since 1913, the Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria welfare Fund provides fast small grants to CFA volunteers, long serving former volunteers and their families, who are experiencing significant financial hardship.  Typical cases involve prolonged illness, bereavement, loss of earnings, or the accommodation and travel costs associated with supporting a relative in hospital.

The Welfare Fund is run under Australian Tax Office rules, independently audited, and grant decisions are made by a committee of long serving CFA volunteers. The Fund has helped close to 1,200 volunteers, with more than $1.8 million in grants made over the years.

Under Australian Taxation rules, the fund is required to assess an applicant is in 'necessitous circumstances', and therefor the fund is required to conduct a financial assessment of each applicants situation which is contained within the application form. One on one support is available to assist members and brigades with this process, and all applications are strictly confidential to protect the dignity and privacy of the individual.   

In addition to the normal grant process, and during the current pandemic, the Welfare Fund is also providing personal support and assistance with the linking of members with available financial support and assistance. Providing current and up-to-date information on available grants and personal support with applying and arranging for grant payments. The fund is also supporting members with any expenses not covered by existing Government support to best assist members getting back on their feet.

The VFBV Welfare Fund is:

• Available to all members and long serving ex-members and their families of subscribing Brigades
• Contact the VFBV Welfare Fund Secretary on (03) 9886 1141 or your VFBV Support Officer or State Councillor to discuss eligibility and application process.

Member Welfare and Support

Support services are available to provide you additional support:

Lifeline:  13 11 14 - provides crisis support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 - to talk with a trained mental health professional.

These resources are being regularly updated as revised information becomes available. (Updated: 11/09/2020 to include new updates from CFA. | Updated: 11/08/2020 to include new updates from CFA and Stage 4 restrictions.   |   14/07/2020 to include newer updates sent.   |   Updated: 09/04/2020 to include newer updates sent.   |   Updated: 31/03/2020 - with Stage 3 Restrictions)

Information on Financial Support and Resources can be found separately by clicking here.

Coronavirus hotline

If you suspect you may have the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) call the dedicated hotline on 1800-675-398 – open 24 hours, 7 days.

There is also a national information helpline on 1800 020 080

Federal (Commonwealth) Updates

This site is regularly updated to give you the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from government agencies across Australia: https://www.australia.gov.au/ 

Victorian Updates

The Department of Health and Human Services provides an authoritative source of information, updates and advice about the outbreak of coronavirus disease can be found here. This page includes information on current restrictions, and information sheets outlining the facts, symptoms, resources and advice.

https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus

CFA Wellbeing Support

CFA Wellbeing Support Line: 1800 959 232. More resources from CFA in relation to wellbeing can be found on Brigades Online: https://www.members.cfa.vic.gov.au/mycfa/Show?pageId=MentalHealth

CFA Resources

The landing page for all CFA updates and resources can be found in the members area of Brigades Online. You can access it here: https://www.members.cfa.vic.gov.au/mycfa/Show?pageId=covid19  

Information available includes:

Chief Officers Statement of Intent

Chief Officers directions

Latest Updates

Guidance notes and work instructions

Resources

FAQ's

Please refer to the following Operations Bulletins and Guidance notes:

For advice on Brigade procedures and best practices please refer to Guidance Note 006 and Guidance Note 012 v2 which includes:

1. Dual cab appliances only 4 members, single cab appliances only 2 members
2. Only primary appliances to be turned out to incidents (unless further assistance is requested)
3. Other members who arrive at station are to remain in their cars until the all clear for further assistance is communicated
4. If members enter the station they must sign in and record their temperature 
5. Appliance manning rosters
6. Face to face training and meetings to be cancelled - see Poster - Volunteer Training: Can I? Can't I?
7. Unless you are specifically required all members are to avoid attendance at the station.

Updates on Brigades Online 

More Detailed Resources

Links to the following are contained in the resources above, but have been specifically separated out below to provide easier searching.

Face coverings: whole of Victoria

02 August 2020

All Victorians must wear a face covering when they leave home, no matter where they live. There are number of lawful excuses for not wearing a face covering. More information about face coverings can be found here: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/face-coverings-covid-19 

Stage 4 Restrictions for Metropolitan Melbourne 

02 August 2020

From 6pm Sunday 2 August for people living in metropolitan Melbourne, Stage 4 restrictions now apply. 

These restrictions include:

- A curfew is in place between the hours of 8pm until 5am. This means that you must be at your home during these hours. The only reasons to leave home between 8pm and 5am will be work, medical care and care giving. 

- The four reasons that you can leave home remain, but further limitations are now in place for:

- shopping for food and other essential items

- exercise (applies to outdoor exercise, and with only one other person)

- permitted work

- Caregiving, for compassionate reasons or to seek medical treatment also remains a permitted reasons to leave home. 

- As much as you can, you must stay at home. When you leave home, you must use a face covering, unless you have a lawful reason for not doing so. 

More information about Stage 4 restrictions for Metropolitan Melbourne can be found on the Department of Health and Human Services website here: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/stage-4-restrictions-covid-19 

Victorian Stage 3 Restrictions

05 August 2020

Stage 3 Restrictions for Regional Victoria and Mitchell Shire came into effect from 11:59pm on Wednesday 5 August 2020. 

There are only four reasons to that you can leave home:

- to shop for food and necessary goods or services
- to provide care, for compassionate reasons or to seek medical treatment
- to exercise or for outdoor recreation
- for work or education, if you can't do it from home.

You must wear a face covering when you leave home. 

Visit https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/stage-3-restrictions-covid-19 to find out what restrictions are in place.  

The New South Wales border is closed. Victorian residents require a permit to enter New South Wales. 

The South Australian border is also closed. From Wednesday 29 July 2020, only essential travellers are about to enter South Australia from Victoria.

08 July 2020

Stage 3 Restrictions - stay at home are in place for Metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire, with other areas of Victoria subject to Stay Safe restrictions. 

Visit https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorias-restriction-levels-covid-19 to find out what restrictions are in place in your area.  

07 April 2020

Victoria's Chief Health Officer, Doctor Brett Sutton, has issued new directions to take effect from midnight 7 April 2020. The new directions include changes to restricted activities, stay at home provisions for childcare and measures to include access restrictions to additional residential care services.

Visit https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/state-emergency for further detail on restrictions relating to:

State of Emergency
Area Directions
Detention Directions 
Stay at Home (Restricted Areas)
Stay at Home Directions (Non-Melbourne)
Restricted Activity (Restricted Areas)
Restricted Activity (Non-Melbourne) 
Permitted Worker and Childcare Permit Scheme directions 
Workplace Directions 
Workplace (Additional Industry Obligations) Directions
Care facilities 
Direction and Detention notice
Diagnosed persons and close contacts
Hospital visitors
Revocation of airport arrivals and cruise ship directions
State critical infrastructure projects

https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/state-emergency

Full details can be found here: https://www.vic.gov.au/coronavirusresponse 

10am, 31 March 2020

As agreed by National Cabinet, gatherings are now restricted to no more than 2 people except for members of your immediate household and for work or education.

Under the Stage 3 restrictions, the new directions mean that what was previously advice about staying home is now enforceable.

Playgrounds, skate parks and outdoor gyms are now closed.

These Stage 3 restrictions came into effect at 11:59pm Monday 30 March 2020. They will be in place for 4 weeks and reviewed as required.

If people breach these directions, they face on-the-spot fines of $1,652 for individuals and $9,913 for businesses. Larger fines can also be issued through the courts.

We’re also telling Victorians – there are only 4 reasons to be out:

• shopping for what you need - food and essential supplies
• medical, care or compassionate needs
• exercise in compliance with the public gathering requirements
• work and study if you can’t work or learn remotely

As we deal with this health crisis, we know that for many Victorians it’s an economic crisis as well.

That’s why a moratorium on evictions will be introduced for the next 6 months for residential and commercial tenants who are experiencing financial distress due to the impact of coronavirus. This will apply across all states and territories.

Department of Health (Vic) Daily Updates

https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-covid-19-daily-update

Federal Government Fact Sheets

https://www.health.gov.au/resources/collections/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-resources

Consumer Affairs

https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/resources-and-tools/advice-in-a-disaster/coronavirus-covid19-and-your-rights?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Important+message+from+CAV+about+Coronavirus+%28COVID-19%29&utm_content=consumer.vic.gov.au%2Fresources-and-tools%2Fadvice-in-a-disaster%2Fcoronavirus-covid19-and-your-rights&utm_source=submit.consumer.vic.gov.au

Provides useful information regarding:

• Tenants
• Evictions
• Incorporated Associations
• Financial Obligations
• Coronavirus scams