Friday, July 30, 2010
Copies of Royal Commission Report
If you want your own copy of the final report, you can order it online from http://www.vic.gov.au/ and follow the links, or from http://www.vic.gov.au/2009-victorian-bushfires-royal-commission-final-report-pre-order.html.
Bushfires Royal Commission Final Report
As members would know, the Bushfires Royal Commission Final Report is being released this Saturday 31 July. The following is a quick outline detailing how the report will be handed down and some of the welfare and support arrangements available to members.
How the Report will be handed down
The Final Report is scheduled to be presented by the Commissioners to the Governor on the morning of Saturday 31 July, 2010. It is proposed the Premier will then receive the report and table it in Parliament. The Premier has indicated that he will then make the report available to the public immediately. All of this is expected to occur by around midday.
CFA will receive the Report at the same time as the public. The full Report will be available online at www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au and also at www.vic.gov.au The Report will be available in hard copy to read at Information Victoria, 505 Little Collins Street, Melbourne.
The Premier will provide a full response to the Commission’s report on behalf of the State of Victoria – including CFA – within a few weeks. That response will include information about the implementation of initiatives arising from the Report. CFA will not comment on the details of the Report until the Government has formally responded to the findings.
This approach will ensure that all recommendations can be carefully considered, all relevant parties can be given an opportunity to provide input, and the response can be made in the best interests of the Victorian community. CFA will be included in the consultation process and our role will be to present our interests and opinions to Government to help inform the State’s response. One thing we have said consistently and will continue to say is that our members gave all they could and more during the 2009 firefight.
Media Arrangements
It is likely the media will contact individual Brigade Captains and members seeking comment on the Royal Commission Final Report. Should you require media advice, please call the CFA Media Line on 03 5330 3124 for assistance. District 14 Media Coordinator Kris Perkovic is also available to assist brigades with any media enquiries. Kris can be contacted on mobile 0400 986 954.
Welfare Arrangements
CFA has peers, chaplains, counsellors and psychologists available to provide support. Additional support for members will be available over the weekend, and in the coming days and weeks. For assistance or more information, please contact:
As many of you may know, Peter Davis, the former Secretary of the Victoria Urban Fire Brigades Association (and a long standing member of CFA) has been working with the CFA taskforce on the Bushfire Royal Commission.
Peter can be contacted on 0458 933 797, or via p.davis@cfa.vic.gov.au. Any member with any issue or general inquiry in regard to the Royal Commission is urged to talk to Peter.
Should you have any additional concerns please do not hesitate to contact Shane Leversha, Human Resources Manager on 0400 590 389, or via s.leversha@cfa.vic.gov.au.
Copies of the Final Royal Commission Report
Statewide, CFA has been allocated 100 copies of the Final Report and 300 copies of the Executive Summary for initial distribution on Saturday, and another 500 copies of the Final Report will be provided to CFA in mid August. The Region has been advised that the report will also be loaded on to a disc – we expect to receive a limited number of the discs sometime in August (awaiting confirmation of numbers).
Accordingly, the following process has been implemented at state level:
Therefore, in District 14, Brigade requests for copies of the report are to be sent via email c.abela@cfa.vic.gov.au. District 14 will do its best to meet the requests from Brigades and Groups, including those that have already made requests for copies of the Report.
Electronic Distribution of reports
We are advised that the report will be on the Royal Commission website (http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/) as soon as possible after it has been made public. It will also be loaded onto the government website (http://www.vic.gov.au/). A link will be placed on CFA Connect.
Regards
GILL METZ
How the Report will be handed down
Release timetable
The Final Report is scheduled to be presented by the Commissioners to the Governor on the morning of Saturday 31 July, 2010. It is proposed the Premier will then receive the report and table it in Parliament. The Premier has indicated that he will then make the report available to the public immediately. All of this is expected to occur by around midday.
CFA will receive the Report at the same time as the public. The full Report will be available online at www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au and also at www.vic.gov.au The Report will be available in hard copy to read at Information Victoria, 505 Little Collins Street, Melbourne.
The Premier will provide a full response to the Commission’s report on behalf of the State of Victoria – including CFA – within a few weeks. That response will include information about the implementation of initiatives arising from the Report. CFA will not comment on the details of the Report until the Government has formally responded to the findings.
This approach will ensure that all recommendations can be carefully considered, all relevant parties can be given an opportunity to provide input, and the response can be made in the best interests of the Victorian community. CFA will be included in the consultation process and our role will be to present our interests and opinions to Government to help inform the State’s response. One thing we have said consistently and will continue to say is that our members gave all they could and more during the 2009 firefight.
Media Arrangements
It is likely the media will contact individual Brigade Captains and members seeking comment on the Royal Commission Final Report. Should you require media advice, please call the CFA Media Line on 03 5330 3124 for assistance. District 14 Media Coordinator Kris Perkovic is also available to assist brigades with any media enquiries. Kris can be contacted on mobile 0400 986 954.
Welfare Arrangements
CFA has peers, chaplains, counsellors and psychologists available to provide support. Additional support for members will be available over the weekend, and in the coming days and weeks. For assistance or more information, please contact:
- 0407 277 894 for District 14 Acting CIS Peer Coordinator Di Dale
- 1800 628 616 for CFA After Hours Welfare Support
- 1300 361 008 for PPC Worldwide Counsellors and Psychologists
- 1800 337 068 for Converge International Chaplains and Psychologists
This support is available to CFA members and their immediate families free of charge. This support is confidential and may be accessed directly if desired.
As many of you may know, Peter Davis, the former Secretary of the Victoria Urban Fire Brigades Association (and a long standing member of CFA) has been working with the CFA taskforce on the Bushfire Royal Commission.
Peter can be contacted on 0458 933 797, or via p.davis@cfa.vic.gov.au. Any member with any issue or general inquiry in regard to the Royal Commission is urged to talk to Peter.
Should you have any additional concerns please do not hesitate to contact Shane Leversha, Human Resources Manager on 0400 590 389, or via s.leversha@cfa.vic.gov.au.
Copies of the Final Royal Commission Report
Corporate
Statewide, CFA has been allocated 100 copies of the Final Report and 300 copies of the Executive Summary for initial distribution on Saturday, and another 500 copies of the Final Report will be provided to CFA in mid August. The Region has been advised that the report will also be loaded on to a disc – we expect to receive a limited number of the discs sometime in August (awaiting confirmation of numbers).
The Premier has announced that any member of the public wishing to obtain a copy of the Final Report of the Bushfires Royal Commission should contact Information Victoria. In response, some Regions, Districts and Brigades have tried to order copies of the Final Report online and have discovered they can only order a maximum of two copies. When they query this with Information Victoria seeking additional copies, their order is being referred to CFA Strategic Communications for processing.
Accordingly, the following process has been implemented at state level:
- The 500 copies of the Final Report that will be received in mid August and will be distributed across the State to Regions.
- Information Victoria will be advised to refer any requests from a CFA Brigade or District for additional copies of the Final Report to their relevant CFA Regional Office.
- CFA Regions are to manage requests for additional copies of the Final Report from the allocation they will receive in mid August.
- Any orders that have already been received at CFA HQ will be forwarded to the relevant region for consideration.
Therefore, in District 14, Brigade requests for copies of the report are to be sent via email c.abela@cfa.vic.gov.au. District 14 will do its best to meet the requests from Brigades and Groups, including those that have already made requests for copies of the Report.
Electronic Distribution of reports
We are advised that the report will be on the Royal Commission website (http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/) as soon as possible after it has been made public. It will also be loaded onto the government website (http://www.vic.gov.au/). A link will be placed on CFA Connect.
Regards
GILL METZ
REGIONAL MANAGER
CFA DISTRICT 14
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Werribee are Australasian Road Rescue champions!
Hi all,
Some great news—Werribee last night took out the 2010 Australasian Road Rescue championships, following on from their victory on Friday in the State Championships. This is a massive achievement for the brigade and the team of Rob Mitchell, Michael Wells, Lino Zulian, Adrian Kendall, Phillip Menzies and Mark Mummery are to be congratulated.
Below is a link to the CFA Connect story on their win:
http://www.cfaconnect.net.au/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=2308&Itemid=42
And another link to their State championships victory last Friday:
http://www.cfaconnect.net.au/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=2299:&Itemid=42
Thank you to my colleague Alison Aprhys for her good work in reporting the news.
Regards
Kris Perkovic
Media & Marketing Coordinator
CFA Northern & Western Metropolitan Region
Some great news—Werribee last night took out the 2010 Australasian Road Rescue championships, following on from their victory on Friday in the State Championships. This is a massive achievement for the brigade and the team of Rob Mitchell, Michael Wells, Lino Zulian, Adrian Kendall, Phillip Menzies and Mark Mummery are to be congratulated.
Below is a link to the CFA Connect story on their win:
http://www.cfaconnect.net.au/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=2308&Itemid=42
And another link to their State championships victory last Friday:
http://www.cfaconnect.net.au/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=2299:&Itemid=42
Thank you to my colleague Alison Aprhys for her good work in reporting the news.
Regards
Kris Perkovic
Media & Marketing Coordinator
CFA Northern & Western Metropolitan Region
Support to Scouts Fantastic Race next Sunday 1st August
Hi All,
Please see below a request for assistance received from LowerYarra/Nillumbik Group for this coming Sunday. If anybody is available and interested to put in half day with a brigade car please let me know. I have asked District14 to supply a PFIT kit. I understand that they are fairly easy to operate with a laptop supplied and e-mail facilities. It sounds like a good opportunity to get to use one of these kits.
Please let me know if any of your members are interested and indicate whether morning or afternoon shift.
Many thanks
Best Regards
Urs Biedermann
Communications Officer
Whittlesea Diamond Valley Group
Hi Urs,
Apologies for the late request, but Brian had the briliant idea of asking you to be involved in this yesterday.
The job:
Nillumbik/Banyule Scouts via Russell Adams have asked us to provide communications for this race to record the scores by each team, transmit them to the MCV via Pfitkits and email. Time 0800 hours setup and briefing, finish about 1600 hours. Drinks and lunch provided by the Scouts if needed.
Location for MCV Rossanna Scout hall near the railway station.
Other needs: 3 Brigade cars complete with a Pfitkit a driver and an operator. We can have morning and afternoon shifts.
Our request to you is to provide on car, a Pfitkit and two personnel, possibly in shifts for the day. One a driver, the other to do the emailing of the score sheets, from each of the Railway stations involved between Eltham and Darebin. We will split the stations to be visited between the two or three cars available.
I will provide the smeacs briefing and the comms. plan.
Megan and I will operated the MCV.
Please advise if you are able to assist with the above.
Regards,
Lou Simonis
Please see below a request for assistance received from LowerYarra/Nillumbik Group for this coming Sunday. If anybody is available and interested to put in half day with a brigade car please let me know. I have asked District14 to supply a PFIT kit. I understand that they are fairly easy to operate with a laptop supplied and e-mail facilities. It sounds like a good opportunity to get to use one of these kits.
Please let me know if any of your members are interested and indicate whether morning or afternoon shift.
Many thanks
Best Regards
Urs Biedermann
Communications Officer
Whittlesea Diamond Valley Group
Hi Urs,
Apologies for the late request, but Brian had the briliant idea of asking you to be involved in this yesterday.
The job:
Nillumbik/Banyule Scouts via Russell Adams have asked us to provide communications for this race to record the scores by each team, transmit them to the MCV via Pfitkits and email. Time 0800 hours setup and briefing, finish about 1600 hours. Drinks and lunch provided by the Scouts if needed.
Location for MCV Rossanna Scout hall near the railway station.
Other needs: 3 Brigade cars complete with a Pfitkit a driver and an operator. We can have morning and afternoon shifts.
Our request to you is to provide on car, a Pfitkit and two personnel, possibly in shifts for the day. One a driver, the other to do the emailing of the score sheets, from each of the Railway stations involved between Eltham and Darebin. We will split the stations to be visited between the two or three cars available.
I will provide the smeacs briefing and the comms. plan.
Megan and I will operated the MCV.
Please advise if you are able to assist with the above.
Regards,
Lou Simonis
"Thank You" Family Fun Day - 29 August 2010
Hello All
A ‘Thank You’ family fun day has been arranged for all members of District 14 in recognition of their contributions over the last couple of Fire Seasons.
The day is booked for 29 August 2010, at Woodlands Historic Park, between 11:00 – 15:00.
Please see the attached flyer for more information.
To RSVP please confirm the amount of people you wish to attend to your brigade secretary (a limit of 18 people per brigade applies) before 9th August 2010.
Regards
Carleen Abela
Administration Support Officer
District 14
A ‘Thank You’ family fun day has been arranged for all members of District 14 in recognition of their contributions over the last couple of Fire Seasons.
The day is booked for 29 August 2010, at Woodlands Historic Park, between 11:00 – 15:00.
Please see the attached flyer for more information.
To RSVP please confirm the amount of people you wish to attend to your brigade secretary (a limit of 18 people per brigade applies) before 9th August 2010.
Regards
Carleen Abela
Administration Support Officer
District 14
Sunday, July 25, 2010
VFBV Publications
A number of important information items from the VFBV:
VFBV
- Newsletter - July 2010
- Newsletter Supplement - July 2010
- VFBV Annual General Meeting - 18 September
- Position Vacant - VFBV Executive Officer
- District Change Advisors - RRDS
- Review of CO SOPs
VFBV
Structural PPC Update
Hi all,
Please find attached the July edition of the PPC Update.
Regards
Kris Perkovic
Media & Marketing Coordinator
CFA Northern & Western Metropolitan Region
Please find attached the July edition of the PPC Update.
Regards
Kris Perkovic
Media & Marketing Coordinator
CFA Northern & Western Metropolitan Region
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Chainsaw PPC offer
We have an upgrade on the chaps offer.
Mowers and more and willing to offer us Stihl pro series chaps for $195, originally $250. Same deal with small, medium and large. The are also offering the head ensemble which includes helmet, visa, earmuffs for $120 (were $150).
We need to put an urgent order in next week so that the Strathewen Land Care group will have gear for next weekend. If you want to add to this order please email your request to me by Sunday night.
We will put another order in after the CFA August chain saw course in a few weeks time. My email is lisaldorricott@bigpond.com.au
Thanks
Lisal
Mowers and more and willing to offer us Stihl pro series chaps for $195, originally $250. Same deal with small, medium and large. The are also offering the head ensemble which includes helmet, visa, earmuffs for $120 (were $150).
We need to put an urgent order in next week so that the Strathewen Land Care group will have gear for next weekend. If you want to add to this order please email your request to me by Sunday night.
We will put another order in after the CFA August chain saw course in a few weeks time. My email is lisaldorricott@bigpond.com.au
Thanks
Lisal
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Quilt Raffle
Dear Auxiliary members and friends,
The quilt made by the Remnants Craft Group which was donated as a fund raiser for our Fire Brigade will be raffled at "Christmas in July" this Saturday. We would love to sell more tickets please. They are available at Workin' Clobber in Hurstbridge and from Lois (9714 8447) or me (9714 8270).
Thanks
Gayle
The quilt made by the Remnants Craft Group which was donated as a fund raiser for our Fire Brigade will be raffled at "Christmas in July" this Saturday. We would love to sell more tickets please. They are available at Workin' Clobber in Hurstbridge and from Lois (9714 8447) or me (9714 8270).
Thanks
Gayle
Bread on Wednesdays
The Wednesday bread supply has changed to an 8pm collection at the fire station, and will be there until Thursday afternoon.
Lisal
Lisal
Brad Jepson - Funeral Details
The funeral for the late Brad Jepson will be held at 10:30am, Tuesday 20th July at St Ambrose Church Hall, Templeton Street, Woodend.
The family have requested CFA fire service involvement and there will also be a guard of honour after the service. Members are requested to wear dress uniform if they have it, neat casual for others, (no ‘yellows’ or turnout gear please).
The family has also requested no flowers.
Thank you
It is with sincere sadness and regret we advise of the passing early today of Brad Jepson, current Group Officer of the Mount Macedon Group.
Brad has had a long a distinguished service with CFA over his 27 years within Region 14, including membership of Gisborne brigade (including Captain), and then moving residence and joining Woodend brigade. Brad held DGO positions since 2001, and Group Officer since 2006, following the footsteps of current CFA Chairman Kerry Murphy.
Brads presence will be sadly missed.
Our condolences are extended to his wife Shelley, daughter Amber, and all of his family, also to members of Gisborne and Woodend fire brigades and all of the brigades in the Mount Macedon Group.
Funeral details and any Fire Service involvement have yet to be confirmed and will be advised.
John Deering
Operations Manager
CFA District 14
Northern and Western Metropolitan Region
The family have requested CFA fire service involvement and there will also be a guard of honour after the service. Members are requested to wear dress uniform if they have it, neat casual for others, (no ‘yellows’ or turnout gear please).
The family has also requested no flowers.
Thank you
It is with sincere sadness and regret we advise of the passing early today of Brad Jepson, current Group Officer of the Mount Macedon Group.
Brad has had a long a distinguished service with CFA over his 27 years within Region 14, including membership of Gisborne brigade (including Captain), and then moving residence and joining Woodend brigade. Brad held DGO positions since 2001, and Group Officer since 2006, following the footsteps of current CFA Chairman Kerry Murphy.
Brads presence will be sadly missed.
Our condolences are extended to his wife Shelley, daughter Amber, and all of his family, also to members of Gisborne and Woodend fire brigades and all of the brigades in the Mount Macedon Group.
Funeral details and any Fire Service involvement have yet to be confirmed and will be advised.
John Deering
Operations Manager
CFA District 14
Northern and Western Metropolitan Region
CSESP Review
The Department of Justice is reviewing the Community Safety Emergency Support Program (CSESP). We got Tanker 3 as part of this program.
If you wish to provide input into the review, please do so via:
If you wish to provide input into the review, please do so via:
- Internet: www.ipsos.com.au/grantsurvey
- Phone: 1800 356 928
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Weekly Media Report
Kris Perkovic
Media & Marketing Coordinator
CFA Northern & Western Metropolitan Region
Media & Marketing Coordinator
CFA Northern & Western Metropolitan Region
State Regional Boundaries
The implementation of the State Regional Boundaries has commenced for CFA. So far, there are minimal changes affecting us apart from some name changes as follows:
Also attached is a Welcome to District 14 letter from the Regional Manager.
As has been discussed in general meetings, a number of Region/District 13 brigades that border us will transition to District 14, including St Andrews, Panton Hill & Hurstbridge. The date that this commences, however, is "dependant on changes to CAD and/or radio and IT systems taking place to ensure there are no operational risks. These can potentially transition before the upcoming fire season however this will be determined at a point in the future."
Transition of Kinglake, Kinglake West and Toolangi from Region/District 13 to Region/District 12 is unlikely to happen until 2011.
Some more information on changes from a Region/District 13 is available on CFA Connect: http://www.cfaconnect.net.au/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=2230:&Itemid=42
Old Name
|
New Name
|
Region 14
|
District 14
|
Outer Metro Norwest Area
|
Northern and Western Metropolitan Region
|
Also attached is a Welcome to District 14 letter from the Regional Manager.
As has been discussed in general meetings, a number of Region/District 13 brigades that border us will transition to District 14, including St Andrews, Panton Hill & Hurstbridge. The date that this commences, however, is "dependant on changes to CAD and/or radio and IT systems taking place to ensure there are no operational risks. These can potentially transition before the upcoming fire season however this will be determined at a point in the future."
Transition of Kinglake, Kinglake West and Toolangi from Region/District 13 to Region/District 12 is unlikely to happen until 2011.
Some more information on changes from a Region/District 13 is available on CFA Connect: http://www.cfaconnect.net.au/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=2230:&Itemid=42
Firestar Rose fundraising
The Firestar Rose is the official rose of the CFA. When Firestar Roses are purchased from http://www.firestarrose.com.au/, the purchaser's chosen CFA brigade gets a portion of the proceeds. So tell of your friends and family of the Firestar Rose, and check that they put Arthurs Creek in as their chosen brigade.
Women and Career Firefighting Information Session
As some of you will be aware CFA has been actively encouraging a diverse range of people from our community to think about firefighting as a career choice for a few years now.
As part of these efforts we regularly hold information sessions which provide an opportunity for people to gain a greater understanding of the role and the organisation. We will again be holding an Information Session; this first one is specifically aimed at attracting more women to think about Firefighting as career choice.
If you know a family member or friend who may be interested, you are most welcome to forward this information on.
For general information relating to career firefighter recruitment check CFA’s public website under ‘Joining CFA’.
Please feel free to contact Martin Penrose or Pam Mitchell, (numbers listed below), if more information is required.
Women and Career Firefighting Information Session - 5th August 2010
Etihad Stadium
6.30pm to 8.30pm
6.30-6.50 Welcome and Overview CFA & Recruitment Process
6.50-7.30 Fire fighting Career from a female perspective/Q&A
7.30-7.50 Fire fighting Challenge Video and Preparation discussion
7.50-8.05 Fitness & Focus Training (Corporate Health)
8.05-8.30 Tea Coffee (Sample Equipment and attendee personal Q&A)
This session is free but attendees do need to register. Call Pam Mitchell on 92628841 (Parking at Etihad Stadium is around $8.00 after 5pm).
Important note:
CFA will be holding a ‘general’ Career Firefighter Information session open to all in Early October. This session will also be held in Melbourne. Information about his session will be advertised from the end of August
As part of these efforts we regularly hold information sessions which provide an opportunity for people to gain a greater understanding of the role and the organisation. We will again be holding an Information Session; this first one is specifically aimed at attracting more women to think about Firefighting as career choice.
If you know a family member or friend who may be interested, you are most welcome to forward this information on.
For general information relating to career firefighter recruitment check CFA’s public website under ‘Joining CFA’.
Please feel free to contact Martin Penrose or Pam Mitchell, (numbers listed below), if more information is required.
Women and Career Firefighting Information Session - 5th August 2010
Etihad Stadium
6.30pm to 8.30pm
6.30-6.50 Welcome and Overview CFA & Recruitment Process
6.50-7.30 Fire fighting Career from a female perspective/Q&A
7.30-7.50 Fire fighting Challenge Video and Preparation discussion
7.50-8.05 Fitness & Focus Training (Corporate Health)
8.05-8.30 Tea Coffee (Sample Equipment and attendee personal Q&A)
This session is free but attendees do need to register. Call Pam Mitchell on 92628841 (Parking at Etihad Stadium is around $8.00 after 5pm).
Important note:
CFA will be holding a ‘general’ Career Firefighter Information session open to all in Early October. This session will also be held in Melbourne. Information about his session will be advertised from the end of August
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Fresh look
I've freshened up the look of the blog - going for a 'greener' feel. Feel free to provide feedback about whether you prefer the new look.
Geoff
Geoff
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Christmas in July
The Brigade is inviting (and paying for) Jim Usher, Mac Gudgeon and some Bendigo Bank people to come along to the Hall's "Christmas in July" to thank them for their contribution to the Brigade through "Footsteps in the Ash".
It would be really good if others connected with the Brigade could be there as well. "Christmas in July" is on Saturday 17 July at 7.00 p.m. Tickets are
$35 each and can be purchased from Lois 9714 8447.
Regards
Gayle
It would be really good if others connected with the Brigade could be there as well. "Christmas in July" is on Saturday 17 July at 7.00 p.m. Tickets are
$35 each and can be purchased from Lois 9714 8447.
Regards
Gayle
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