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VFBV News (201)
VFBV Welfare & Efficiency Survey 2013 – the results
The third VFBV Volunteer Welfare & Efficiency Survey will be online in the middle of 2014. To pre-register to receive the 2014 survey via email, click here.
The survey is a total of 33 questions chosen by volunteers and takes about 15 minutes to complete. Your answers are confidential.
Last year’s survey was a great success with more than 1,400 participants. VFBV examined the results in detail to guide its own actions and briefed the CFA Board. Download the full report below.
The third survey will show trends in volunteer opinions on issues chosen by your fellow volunteers and if you register today you’ll receive the survey automatically as soon as it opens.
Download the full report below
VFBV’s role under the CFA Act is to ‘consider and bring to the attention of the Authority (CFA) all matters affecting volunteer welfare and efficiency (other than questions of discipline and promotion).
Earlier this year, VFBV conducted its second survey to measure volunteer perceptions about key matters that volunteers feel impact on their welfare and efficiency.
There was again a tremendous response, with more than 1,450 participants – an 80% increase over the 2012 survey – with more volunteers responding from every District, and greater percentages of female volunteers, younger volunteers and newer volunteers.
The survey gave volunteers the chance to improve the future welfare and efficiency of CFA volunteers and to better equip VFBV for its work.
You can download the full results of the 2013 survey below.
The first survey was well received by CFA’s Board and senior management in 2012, and VFBV now looks to working with CFA in moving from identifying areas needing attention to actively working to achieve improvements in those areas.
Every person who has completed the survey and provided contact details will be sent a full copy of the survey.
The survey is designed to provide a benchmark assessment of CFA volunteers’ perceptions about key factors affecting their welfare and efficiency.
Ongoing surveys will allow us to compare results with the earlier surveys and identify ongoing trends. To pre-register to receive the 2014 survey via email, click here.
VFBV will now continue work with CFA to explore reasons behind key performance gaps; recognise and promote good practice; find solutions to address identified weaknesses; and provide the starting point for future trend analysis and continuous improvement.
Arizona firefighters lost in the line of duty
Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria, the association representing Victoria’s 60,000 CFA volunteers, is deeply saddened to learn of the deaths in the line of duty of 19 firefighters, while fighting a major wildfire, the Yarnell Hill fire, in their home state of Arizona.
On behalf of all CFA volunteers, we offer our most heartfelt sympathies to their families, friends and colleagues in the town of Prescott, Arizona. From our own experience we know this is an unfathomable loss, one that goes beyond words.
As we reflect on the sacrifice made by these, our fellow firefighters, we also give thanks for their devotion to duty in protecting others. They shall never be forgotten.
Simplifying VFBV Structure and Rules
SIMPLIFYING VFBV STRUCTURE AND RULES
VFBV is moving towards removing urban and rural brigade distinctions from its constitution – see below to download the discussion paper.
The discussion papers outlines the background, the need to make a change and the options being considered. It also includes a feedback form that can be emailed, mailed or faxed to the VFBV office.
The need to change our constitution:
- This is part of the process that began with the forming of VFBV from the old urban and rural associations
- CFA is moving from urban and rural brigade classifications to a system of risk based brigade classifications more relevant to modern community needs
Please download the discussion paper below to see the options. You can make your opinions known by returning the feedback form included in the paper, or by taking part in discussion at your District Council.
VFBV Board vacancies
Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV) Board vacancies
Invitation to apply
Two Rural Volunteer Representatives - 2 year term until 1 October 2015
Two Urban Volunteer Representatives - 2 year term until 1 October 2015
Closing date for written applications is Monday 12 August 2013
VFBV advances the interests of all Victorian fire brigade volunteers and advocates on their behalf to CFA and other key stakeholders. The VFBV Board drives policy development based on volunteer input and is involved in management of issues of central importance to all CFA volunteers.
Vacancies for Two Rural Brigade Board Members and Two Urban Brigade Board Members will arise when the terms of Tom Brodie and Gary Lyttle (Rural) and Dave Ackland and Hans van Hamond (Urban) expire on 1 October 2013.
The term of appointment will be for two years and applications are invited from interested volunteers to be considered for these vacancies. The retiring members are eligible for re-appointment.
The role of a VFBV Board Member involves contributing to debate at Board Meetings, networking with others about policies and issues management, and not only making decisions but being prepared to defend them for the benefit of all CFA volunteers.
A Board Member Role Statement including the key selection criteria is available from the VFBV office or website http://www.vfbv.com.au/webMain/about/vfbv/vfbvboard.
This is an honorary position; no honorarium is paid.
If you are challenged by the prospect of making a difference for CFA volunteers, then send your written application addressing the key selection criteria in the role statement, plus an outline of your CFA activity including the names of two referees.
Applications must be lodged with VFBV by Monday 12 August 2013.
to: VFBV, P O Box 453, Mt Waverley 3149
Tel: 9886 1141; Fax: 9886 1618
Email: j.laingThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Presumptive legislation, the Firefighters’ Cancer Law
Fair protection for firefighters
As the CFA volunteers' association, VFBV is campaigning for a change to Victorian law to give CFA volunteer firefighters and their career colleagues simpler and fairer access to cancer compensation.
Click on these links to learn;
- Why we need Presumptive Legislation – the Firefighters’ Cancer Law
- Campaign achievements so
- What volunteers can do now
- How the public can help
- What Members of Parliament can do
Ready to help? Contact your local MP and ask them to support the Firefighters Cancer Law, or click here to make a donation to support the campaign.
Why we need Presumptive Legislation – the Firefighters’ Cancer Law
Scientific research shows that firefighters are more likely to contract certain types of cancer.
Current Victorian arrangements already provide for cancer compensation, but it is almost impossible to access because the firefighter has to prove the cancer was caused by one particular fire or incident – an incident that might have happened 10 or 15 years ago.
Presumptive legislation would work by reversing the onus of proof – the firefighter’s cancer would be presumed to be work related provided the firefighter has sufficient years of service.
Presumption allows the firefighter to concentrate on treatment and recovery, instead of a lengthy and expensive court case.
CFA volunteer firefighters and their career colleagues are not asking for new compensation, just the removal of an almost impossible barrier to accessing their existing entitlements.
For more details, you can download;
VFBV’s Notes for Volunteers or
The campaign so far
VFBV has campaigned since early 2011 for a change in Victorian law that gives CFA volunteers and their career colleagues fairer access to cancer compensation.
We have briefed Victorian MPs on both sides of Parliament, raised the issue publicly and among volunteers, and watched as the Australian Parliament, then the Tasmanian, West Australian and South Australian Parliaments all passed presumptive legislation to cover some of their firefighters.
Victoria still lags behind
While concern has grown and other Governments have accepted the scientific evidence, the Victorian Government has claimed it is waiting for further research from Monash University, even though the Monash researchers have said “…We are concerned that decisions about presumptive legislation are being delayed pending our study’s findings. We believe that there is already good evidence from a very large number of previous human studies that work as a firefighter is associated with an increased risk of several types cancer...”
The State Government introduced a new Firefighters’ Assessment Panel, claiming it would “ensure prompt, compassionate and fair claims assessment for firefighters”. VFBV has given the Panel nine months to prove itself, only to find the panel process only adds extra bureaucracy, gives no assistance to the sick volunteer and does not remove the unfair burden of proof on the firefighter.
What volunteers can do now
- Raise the firefighters’ cancer law issue with your local Member of Parliament, in your local media and online.
- Make a donation to the Trust Fund to support the campaign – click here for notes on the Trust Fund and how it helps our efforts to achieve simpler and fairer cancer compensation for firefighters
Any contact with your local MP will do; write a formal letter, send a simple email, ask for a meeting at their office or mention the issue whenever you see them.
Your Brigade, Group and volunteers can donate to the Trust Fund, as well as promoting it among the public;
- Visit www.vfbv.com.au to make a donation by credit card or PayPal
- Send a cheque to; The Volunteer Fire Fighters Occupational Illnesses (VFFOI) Awareness and Protection Fund, PO Box 453, Mt Waverley 3149
- Transfer funds to VFBV’s Bendigo Bank account; BSB 633-000 Account Number 151841970
If your Brigade needs assistance and it is appropriate, VFBV can provide support in publicising the fundraising effort within your local community.
Do you, or someone you know who is or has been a volunteer firefighter, suffer from one of the firefighter
occupational cancers? Let us know and we can advise you of potential next steps
What the public can do to help
Learn more about the Firefighters’ Cancer Law - click here to read our VFBV Notes for Volunteers
Make a donation to the Trust Fund to support our campaign - click here to read how the Trust Fund can help achieve this important change to the law.
Raise the firefighters’ cancer law issue with your local Member of Parliament, in your local media and online – it’s a great way to show support for your local CFA volunteers.
What CFA volunteers need Members of Parliament to do now
We call on all Victorian MPs for their active support for presumptive legislation to simplify access to cancer compensation for firefighters.
We are asking all Victorian MPs to take up the issue, and we ask those who don’t support presumptive legislation to explain why they do not.
VFBV communicates progress on this issue to our members and the general public, there's a summary of MPs’ responses to a letter from VFBV available on this website.
Integrated Brigades Forum
INTEGRATED BRIGADES FORUM
The detailed report from VFBV’s fourth annual Integrated Brigades Forum has been released – see below to download a copy.
With the theme of best practice integration for CFA, the forum included CFA Chief Officer Euan Ferguson and Deputy Chief Officer Joe Buffone working alongside VFBV officials and 52 Brigade members including senior volunteers and a number of Operations Officers/OICs from integrated Brigades.
The forum looked at the challenges faced by particular integrated Brigades, day to day practicalities, future models for integration, case studies on how well different arrangements have worked and the building of a help network for Brigade members and leaders as they go through the integration process or fine tune their integrated Brigade.
The forum was facilitated by members of VFBV’s State Integrated Brigades Reference Panel who began work early in 2012 on a framework for the future development of a Code of Best Practice for CFA Integration.
The Chief and Deputy have indicated their support for follow up work to progress many of the issues and opportunities confronting CFA’s Integrated Service Delivery Model. VFBV will work with CFA towards the establishment of a Joint Working Party or Reference Group built upon the good initial work of VFBV’s State Reference Panel.
Pager Replacement Rollout
PAGER REPLACEMENT ROLLOUT
The rollout of new pagers is set to go ahead, VFBV has secured commitments to a program of continuing improvements based on volunteer/user feedback, and the VFBV Board now encourages all members to participate in the pager replacement roll-out program.
CFA, ESTA and VFBV met today (Friday, 3 May) to consider the outcomes and feedback from the validation trial. The data collected and additional advice from validation trial participants indicate the Alpha Legend pager has performed better with re-programming and setup adjustments and is now much closer to meeting the end user‘s needs than the configuration that was originally presented for field evaluation late in 2012.
KEY ASPECTS / OUTCOMES
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Issue |
Status |
Comment |
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VFBV’s position to expand the Alpha Legend pager evaluation of fixes from the original 25 to 400 pagers, to allow for a more thorough field evaluation. The inclusion of all CFA Groups as part of this short but more widespread validation trial. |
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ESTA and CFA agreed and a two week trial through late April 2013 to ensure a more robust user evaluation of the pager programming fixes occurred. All CFA Groups were required to be included in this trial. |
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Validation testing of 5 key programming fixes to the Alpha Legend pager usability after the 2012 field trial. |
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From responses, the five re-programming solutions have proved viable. Only 153 survey response from trial participants, however no opportunity to add comments has influenced this result. |
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CFA and ESTA to establish a process to monitor roll-out and user feedback in order to evaluate the introduction of these new pagers and recommend further programming and usability adjustments. |
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In discussions with CFA and ESTA, this process is agreed and will be confirmed in writing to VFBV. |
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A process to monitor the user training and support that CFA provides for ‘user help’ during the roll-out and initial bedding down period. |
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Agreed and written confirmation will confirm. |
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VFBV has sought the ongoing monitoring of the replacement pagers by the formation of a CFA User Reference Panel along with ESTA to monitor user feedback and to consider and recommend further programming and usability upgrades. This has been agreed and the CFA User Reference Panel will be formed from stakeholder user groups, including end user volunteer representatives through VFBV. |
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Agreed and written confirmation will confirm. ESTA, CFA and VFBV agreed that this process will promote a continuous improvement framework to ensure the selected pager will continue to evolve and improve over its service life. |
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ESTA to re-format their message structure to remove the ESTA incident coding from the beginning of alert messages; this initiative was seen as very important to ensure mission critical responder information was easier to access on the smaller Alpha Legend pager screen. |
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ESTA to advise CFA and VFBV of the process to plan and deliver a Message Template change for CFA pagers. The opportunity through the User reference Panel will be taken to review the entire message format to achieve the best message format and construct possible. ESTA will provide written advice on the details and projected timelines by end of May 2013.
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CFA and ESTA with VFBV to resolve the lack of visual alert functionality and agree to finding a solution including an approved allocation policy and procedure by 30 June 2013 |
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Issue as yet not resolved, however, all parties have agreed to work towards a solution by 30 June 2013. |
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Changeover process and ‘one for one’ changeover. VFBV request of CFA to clarify the allocation will be as above and that additional pager allocations to Brigades and Groups above those allocated at the changeover will be upon the Officer in Charge’s request to CFA based on ‘operational justification’. |
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CFA agreed that the current process of operationally justifying additional pagers will continue. |
VFBV’s POSITION
The VFBV Board advises all members that the pager validation trial has confirmed that the Alpha Legend pager has met the test described by the five programming upgrades sought by volunteers. Despite some reservations there is insufficient reason for volunteers to refuse to participate in the pager changeover program. Accordingly, the VFBV Board recommends that volunteers accept the new pager and return the old pager, as part of the roll-out program.
In making this recommendation, VFBV acknowledges that:
- The change to a new pager was necessary to ensure there is never a repeat of the pager system overload and failures experienced during and following Black Saturday 2009.
- The move of Ambulance Victoria (AV) across to a separate channel will ensure that additional capacity exists for CFA and VICSES to have confidence that Emergency Alert and other circuit messages get through to responders and users quickly and as designed.
- The need to move forward with a solution as the old X3 pagers are no longer manufactured and are close to their serviceable life span and in many cases are irreparable when they fail.
In seeking a solid monitoring and user feedback process, VFBV required undertakings from ESTA and CFA to ensure the replacement pager continues to evolve in both usability and functionality right through its service life.
CFA and ESTA have verbally agreed to the sensible next steps as detailed in the table of issues above, however, VFBV is seeking their confirmation in writing.
CFA staff and support personnel will working closely with Brigades and Groups over the coming months to change over the replacement pager, requiring the old X3 pagers to be returned.
REFLECTION
Our VFBV Board reiterates its disappointment that the entire pager replacement process driven by ESTA and CFA, has not met their obligations prescribed within the CFA Act and CFA Volunteer Charter in requiring consultation with CFA volunteers and their representatives prior to any decisions of this magnitude being made. VFBV has sought to build into the evaluation and roll-out phases agreed process and consultation mechanisms to ensure the replacement pager evolves to be the very best device for CFA it can be.
The future replacement of this new pager was a topic of discussion and VFBV will seek a common sense approach that engages and consults with equipment end users to avoid similar technical and desktop approaches that often deliver a product that falls short of user expectations or needs.
West, Texas memorial service
The lives of the 10 firefighters who died battling the West, Texas fire and explosion will be remembered during a memorial service on Thursday, April 25 at 2:00 pm, local Texas time (5am Friday, Victorian time).
Thousands of fire fighters from around the United States will join President Obama and the First Lady to pay respects to the families, friends and co-workers of the fallen.
Live streaming will be available on the National Fallen Firefighters’ Foundation website, www.firehero.org/westtexas.
The NFFF has been on the ground in Texas, offering assistance and support to the department, families and friends through the Local Assistance State Team (LAST). Because of the large loss of life, the Foundation expects to be here for a lengthy period of time, providing peer counseling, and support in many other ways.
To help those efforts, the NFFF has established a national fund to accept monetary donations to assist the survivors and coworkers of the fire and EMS personnel who died in the line of duty. All donated funds will be used to assist the survivors and co-workers to rebuild their lives and support the programs and services they will need.
Fire Volunteers form National Body
Volunteer firefighters in every State have united to form a new forum, the Council of Australian Volunteer Fire Associations (CAVFA), to promote the interests of a quarter of a million members nationwide.
See the attached media release and communique to members for details.
Annual Memorial Service for Firefighters
CFA invites you and members of your family to attend the
Annual Memorial Service for Firefighters
Sunday, 5 May 2013, at 2pm.
The service will be held at St Johns Anglican Church
1 St Georges Road
Upper Beaconsfield
(Cnr Beaconsfield - Emerald Road and St Georges Road)
Melway Ed 39 Map 210 H12
Light refreshments will be provided afterwards.
Dress: CFA uniform or smart casual
RSVP: Monday 22nd April 2013 via email
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 9262 8211.
More...
Jones Inquiry - Second Progress Report
Updated 9 July 2013 - CFA’s second progress report on the Jones Inquiry Implementation Acton Plan has been published – click here for details on the Jones Inquiry and the newly issued progress report.
This progress reporting to volunteers is the result of VFBV’s representations early in the Jones Inquiry, and while CFA’s actual progress on the ground is modest at this stage, VFBV has been involved in the formulation of the implementation plan and will be involved in monitoring of results as the project continues.
What you can do: VFBV needs to hear from volunteers on the front line how well CFA’s actions are producing results on the ground.
It is early days yet, but VFBV will be monitoring the progress throughout the implementation and your observations to your District Council, or via email, this website or on the phone will help us to do that.
There will be more progress reports from CFA and we will post them on this site as they become available. Click here for the first progress report.
2013 Rural Championship Results
Senior and Junior volunteers from all over the state have taken part in the 2013 VFBV Rural Championships at Werribee, with Napoleons/Enfield A, Springhurst B and Dunrobin/Nangeela C winning the three senior divisions, and Napoleons/Enfield A declared the junior champion team.
See the attachments for all the scores, times and placings.
State Championships - Werribee
The Rural State Championships are taking place this weekend on Saturday 6th April for the Seniors, and Sunday 7th April for the Juniors.
Documents
At the bottom of this page, you will find links to the following documents;
- Draw of Events (For Both Seniors & Juniors)
Please note that there was a late entry for Shepparton B, which will now be Team 25 across all events in C Division. Also please note, that pursuant to a resolution last year by the State Competition Committee no requests for Division Downgrades have been granted. All teams will be ranked on the previous years results following each years Championships. Only teams that have not competed within the previous 3 years will be automatically added to C Division. This was done to ensure fairness and equity in the divisional rankings - as requests by brigades to be downgraded could neither be policed or the reasons for the downgrade verified. The new system provides a level playing field. - Track Officials Roster
- Make-up Personnel Roster
Please note: names are provided as a guide only. The Brigade is responsible to ensure someone is available when their brigade is rostered. You do not need to notify us of changes to the name or person. Make-up personnel will be called by brigade names only. - Map of Werribee Park
Entry is via Gate 2, which runs of K Road. When you come of the freeway - follow the signs to Werribee Open Park Zoo & Mansion - and there will be signs to direct you to the championships site. - An electronic copy of this years Program. Printed hard copies will be available on site.
Good luck to all competing teams, and we wish you all an enjoyable and satisfying State Championships.
VFBV Open Forums UPDATE
Invitation to 2013 VFBV Open Forums
Representatives from all CFA Brigades are welcome
FORUM 1 - Central / Outer Metro - Saturday, 20July
White Horse Club, Burwood Highway, Burwood East
Starting 1300 hours (Lunch provided at 12 Noon)
Advise attendance by Friday 12 July
FORUM 2 - Gippsland Region - Sunday, 25August
Sale Greyhound Racing Club, Maffra Road, Sale
Starting 1300 hours (Lunch provided at 12 Noon)
Advise attendance by Friday 16 August
FORUM 3 - Western Victoria– Saturday 12October
Venue Stawell Town Hall
Main Street , Stawell
Starting 1300 hours (Lunch provided at 12 Noon)
Advise attendance by Friday 4 October
Among the invited guests include Chief Officer Euan Ferguson AFSM, CFA CEO Mick Bourke, Senior CFA Directors, VFBV Board and CEO Andrew Ford, Local District Council representatives.
VFBV encourages all Brigades to send delegates to the closest Regional Open Forum to raise and discuss items of concern or interest
Previous Open Forums with Brigades have been highly successful and VFBV looks forward to your Brigade’s participation
Bookings are essential
Call (03) 9886 1141 to reserve your spot or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
