Last post to the blog

We now have a brigade website: http://arthurscreekcfa.org.au/

It is still a bit rough around the edges, but from now on all news, dates and documents will be posted to the website, and not to this blog.

This is the last post to this blog.

If you have any troubles accessing or navigating the website, please contact Geoff.

New pagers

We are getting new pagers, in theory before the start of the fire season.  This is what they look like.   Yes, a bit "back to the future" - based on the old Orange pagers.

Specs of the pager: http://www.uni.com.tw/alpha_legend.html
Geoff

Relay For Life - CFA MWNR/District 14 Team - 2012

I am sending this email to you all as a challenge to your brigade members to enter a team in the Doreen Relay For Life event (details below).

New arterial roadworks

Bridge Inn Road, Mernda

Wednesday 25 July to Tuesday 30 October, 9.00am - 3.30pm

 

• Near Cravens Road
• Lanes closed in both directions as required
• Traffic will be alternated through the open lane
• Speed limit reduced to 40km/h
• Private contractor works
• Melway: 390 E9

Media training - bookings closing this week

If anyone is still interested in media training could you please RSVP by COB this Friday, 27 July.

At this stage, the only course that will be able to go ahead (due to numbers) will be Advanced Spokesperson training on 13 August. There are still four places left in this course, which is being held for Operational staff and Managers – Regional Directors/Managers of Community Safety/Operations Officers/Operation Managers/RDOs/Incident Controllers. Etc.

Latest from CFA Connect

Gas leak in Wonthaggi, Fiskville Fact File, Chief's Q&A

VFBV And UFU Joint Communique - Important Message to All Victorian Careers and Volunteer Firefighters

Members will be aware, last year the Australian Parliament unanimously recognised occupational cancer for firefighters by enacting presumptive legislation to protect Federal firefighters.

The presumptive legislation was the result of an Australian Senate Inquiry that accepted international and scientific evidence that firefighters have an increased risk of contracting specific cancers due to their exposure to toxins and carcinogens when undertaking firefighting operations in the course of protecting the community.

Concept medium tanker photos

Some photos from Mike of the new Medium Tanker that was on show at South Morang.

From the deck behind the driver looking towards the rear.  Note the new style of tank.  These can be fixed/replaced much more easily and quickly than the current fibreglass ones.  Front tank is a fresh drinking water supply.

Bendigo Bank Grant Presentation

A couple of photos from the Bendigo Bank Grant Presentation at Bridges.

Fire Services Commissioner Stakeholder Forums

Please refer to the attached letter about some upcoming FSC stakeholder forums about Emergency Management in the New Era.

Geoff

VFBV Notices

VFBV has advised of forthcoming board vacancies on both the VFBV and CFA Boards.  If you are interested, please refer to the attached letter for more information.

The VFBV Annual General Meeting is scheduled for Sunday 16th September at Fiskville.  Refer to the attached letter for more information.

Geoff

North West Metro News Winter 2012

North West Metro News Winter 2012

Latest from CFA Connect

Professor Rob Joy Report, Healesville fire, blood donor challenge

New Operations Bulletin

006/2012: Fire Station Motor Room Environment Vehicle and Equipment Checks

All Operations Bulletins are available on CFA Online:

• Path: Brigades Online > Fire & Emergencies > Manuals > Operations Bulletins
• Link: http://cfaonline.cfa.vic.gov.au/mycfa/Show?pageId=operationsBulletins

Hard-copies are on the notice board at Arthurs Creek station.

National Emergency Medal

Please find attached a memo from the Chief Officer regarding an update on the National Emergency Medal (NEM).

Kind Regards.

Tanya Ryan
Acting PA to Chief Officer
Fire & Emergency Management

From the Chief Officer

The Chief Officer's latest blog entries:

• From the Chief Officer #55 posted 6 July 2012
• From the Chief Officer #56 posted 16 July 2012

TAIT Portables - Guidance

Through the NWM Health and Safety Committee, concerns have been raised as to the adequacy of information provided regarding the changeover to new TAIT Portable Radios.  In particular, the different styles of lapel microphones, the scanning function and the identification of new vs. old style radios.

The attached documents are intended to provide some clarity on the issue and should be read in conjunction with Operations Bulletin 004/2012 – TAIT Portable Radio Usage Guidance.

• TAIT Radio ID Guide - D14
• TAIT Enhancements and Scanning Information
• TAIT Microphone Comparison

We have also made arrangements with CFA Headquarters to produce a further Operations Bulletin that will provide a greater level of understanding of using the ‘scan mode’ on the new portables.  This should be released in the near future.

I would ask that all members within your brigades have this information made available to them and if there any concerns or questions please let me know.

Regards

Jamie Hansen
Operations Officer
District 14
Northern & Western Metropolitan Region

Water quality at Fiskville - message from the CEO

As you may be aware the Herald Sun recently reported on the quality of water being used for training purposes at Fiskville. We take very seriously the health, safety and wellbeing of our members and indeed all persons using the training facilities at Fiskville.
To provide certainty and comfort for all people doing live fire training at Fiskville, we made a decision last week to only use mains water until further notice.

Black Saturday Review - final session

There is a final Black Saturday review sessions with Jamie Mackenzie and his team on Thursday 26 July 19:00 Arthurs Creek station.

All are welcome, particularly those that have missed out on the other sessions.

Medium Tanker Road Show

D14 dates:

• South Morang - 13 July - 10:00-16:00
• Sunbury - 15 July - 10:00-13:00
• Melton - 15 July - 13:00-16:00

Attachments:

• Medium tanker specs
• News article

Whooping cough (pertussis)

Please be advised that a member of NWMR has been diagnosed with whooping cough (pertussis).
For more information about whooping cough including what it is and the associated symptoms, please read the attached fact sheet.

Although members may have been vaccinated against whooping cough in the past, and hence have a lesser chance of contracting the illness, protection is not life long.

If you experience any symptoms that you suspect could be linked to whooping cough, we strongly recommend that you see your General Practitioner as soon as practicable.

If you have any questions about this email, please do not hesitate to see or call Tina Marchington or myself.

Regards,

Sam ChhayActing Manager Human Resources
Northern & Western Metropolitan Region

Please join Club Red today, to help our community...

Do you do any other fantastic services to your community???
Well, if you don’t and you like a semi challenge it might be the time to start donating blood (or registering to Club Red if you already donate, see more below).

The Professor Joy Report has now been released and is available to view

Dear CFA members

I would like to let you know the Board has now released the Professor Joy Report (into historical use of chemicals for live fire fighting training at Fiskville between 1971 and 1999) along with our detailed response.

Notification of Fiskville report release to Members

I wish to provide some guidance on the notification of Brigades regarding the Fiskville Investigation report and CFA’s response.
I ask that you confirm with your Brigades that they are aware that the Report has been released and where additional information may be found if required (see below).

I also ask OIC’s to ensure that their staff are aware of the report and associated supporting documents.