Overall fuel hazard assessment guide - 4th ed

DSE have updated the fuel hazard assessment guide.  Refer attached for a soft copy of it.  It takes into account an additional layer of fuel, which I believe results in a higher tonnes/hectare measurement for some areas.

Brigade SOPs - v3

The Brigade SOPs have been updated again.  This is on advice from District regarding the two tanker response to areas without reticulated water.  The SOPs have been reverted to their original.

The updated SOPs can be found the "Brigade Documents" page.

Statewide Courses

Some upcoming statewide courses:

• CFA282 Assessor Program - 2-3 March & 9-10 March (4 days), Bangholme, closing 17 January
• CFA281 Plan & Facilitate Group Based Learning - 15 March, 23-24 March & 8 April (4 days), Bangholme, closing 31 January
• CFA280 Provide Training - 16-17 April & 15 May (3 days), Fiskville, closing 28 February

Brochure is on the board at the station.  Contact Andrew if you wish to apply.

Fire restrictions - 20 December (tentative)

The tentative start date for fire restrictions in Nillumbik is Monday 20 December.

Guidelines operating in the vicinity of extra high voltage transmission assets

SP-Ausnet has sought my assistance in reinforcing these Guidelines to CFA members after a number of unplanned and unannounced visits in the vicinity on these assets recently.

More pertinently, as the Summer Period approaches and fire prevention and response activities increase it is opportune to reinforce these simple guidelines with all members, especially the

• 4m total height limit and
• the easy availability of the 24/7 Emergency phone lines

These should be read in conjunction with SOP 11.04 Power Lines and Electrical Conductors – Working Near

Please find attached SP AusNet’s Guidelines For The Safety Of Fire And Emergency Services Operating In The Vicinity Of Extra High Voltage Transmission Assets

National Park Visit 21st November

Ian Maher from Kinglake will guide us around.

We will meet at the Fire station at 09.00hrs, and meet Ian Maher 09.30hrs Marshall Road & Buttermans Track entrance.  From there through the park to Wallaby Creek.

We have to limit our vehicles so only take 4WDs and fill them.

We will take all the portable radios plus the listening sets so each car has at least a listening set.

We can go to the Flowerdale Pub for lunch afterwards.  Contact Michael so he can book a table.
 
Michael

Weekly Media Report

• 10 November

Kris Perkovic
Media & Marketing Coordinator
CFA Northern & Western Metropolitan Region

From the CEO - Organisational Changes - CFA makes changes for the future

Please see attached announcement from the CEO, Mick Bourke.

Upcoming community events for men and families

Please find attached upcoming health and wellbeing activities within, or around, our region.  For your information and dissemination where appropriate.

Mens getaways and activities:

• Mediterranean Foodies Tour. (no flyer provided)
• Bemm River Fishing Getaways.
• Four wheel drive training course.
• Chainsaw training course.

Family events:

• An evening with Todd Russell (Beaconsfield Miner).
• Healesville Sanctuary Family Fun Day. (no flyer provided)

Regards

Shane Levarsha

2010-11 CFA/DSE Pre Season Update Video

Dear all

The 2010-11 CFA/DSE Pre Season Update video is now available online at: http://www.cfaconnect.net.au/news/2010-11-pre-season-update.html.

Please watch the video as it contains key community, operational and safety messages for the upcoming fire season including:

• The weather outlook;
• The new Bushfire Safety Policy and community preparedness;
• Changes to command and control arrangements and incident management;
• Warnings;
• Evacuations;
• Situational Awareness; and
• Intelligence Gathering.

A copy of the video will be distributed on DVD to your brigade by mid November. Please contact me at the end of November if your brigade hasn’t received a copy of the pre-season update.

Regards,

Kathrine

Movember

I'm growing a ridiculous mo for Movember and for men's health.  If you would like to sponsor me in this endeavour, please donate via http://au.movember.com/mospace/991714/

Geoff

Minutes - General Meeting - 4th October 2010

Minutes of last general meeting: 4th October 2010.  Also available in the "Brigade Documents" page.

Thanks very much to Sue for producing them.

Geoff

Traffic Management Plans - Whittlesea Show

Traffic management plans for Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th November 2010:

• The 449A plan shows the 8:00am to 3:00pm "to Whittlesea Show" Plenty Road traffic arrangements.
• The 449B plan shows the 3:00pm onwards "from Whittlesea Show" Plenty Road traffic arrangements.

Responding to natural gas explosions

Responding to natural gas explosions (Everyone Goes Home - Learning Media Center presentation)

CFA Dangerous Goods Department have viewed this presentation and recommend it for distribution as you see fit – especially pertinent is the section of the fire-fighter’s recovery

The Natural Gas industry is expanding or even “exploding” in its’ application both domestically and industrially – so please forward this on to front line members especially as you see fit

Regards

Peter J Lucas
Fire Services Liaison Officer
Victoria Police
Counter Terrorism Co-ordination Unit and
Emergency Management Department

Plenty Gorge Fuel Hazard Assessment report – 2010

Plenty Gorge Fuel Hazard Assessment report – 2010
(Note: large file - 6.6MB)

BoM Seasonal Outlook - October 2010

The BoM's latest quarterly seasonal outlook came out last Thursday 26th October for the period November to January. Headlines for our area:

• Rainfall: average rainfall predicted: http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/ahead/rain.seaus.shtml
• Temperature: average daytime temperatures but warmer nights predicted: http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/ahead/temp.seaus.shtml

Click on the links for more details.

Medical oxygen cylinders - change in colour

Please find attached a Protective Equipment Technical Advisory Note relating to a change in medical oxygen cylinders colours.

Regards,

Barry Foss
Operations Manager
Protective Equipment Department

Approved Level 3 ICCs for Bushfire for the 2010-11 Fire Season

Attached is the Approved Level 3 ICCs for Bushfire for 2010-11 Fire Season (signed yesterday).

Rachaele May
Bushfire Command & Control Review (MFB, CFA, DSE)
State Government Offices

Volunteer support

EMERGENCY SERVICES GRANTS DOUBLE TO RECORD LEVELS

From the Minister for Police & Emergency Services

Victoria's volunteer emergency services will see double again over the next year - double the Brumby Labor Government funding for emergency equipment through the hugely popular Community Safety Emergency Support Program grants.

Emergency Services Minister Bob Cameron said the Brumby Labor Government had doubled the program this year to $6.8 million (up from $3.3 million) and due to its popularity will double it again to a massive $13.6 million next year.