BRIGADE NEWS
Making it easier to recruit volunteers Work is continuing to develop the new Volunteer Recruitment Hub. This recruitment hub is one of the major projects in the Volunteer Recruitment and Retention program and aims to streamline the volunteer recruitment process from expression of interest through to registration. Recently the project team has been working on the planning and development of Release 3 of the project. This will be a move away from the existing paper-based registration process to an online one for new and transferring members. Working With Children Checks, Member Registration forms, Police Check forms and medical report forms can be completed online. It will be a new and exciting change in the way we manage new member applications. Release 3 will also allow brigades and new members to track the progress of membership applications through the existing platform dashboard. This means the brigades will know what stage an application is at, every step of the way. Access to the dashboard is based on brigade role – for example, secretary or captain.
Keeping the end user in mind is still at the core of our design and development of the platform. We’ve continued to engage with VFBV, regions and departments to get valuable feedback as the project progresses. We have also recently brought together a group of volunteer testers, who will evaluate Release 3 before it goes live. This team will put the platform through its paces to ensure it works as it is meant to make sure it’s easy to use. To complement this recruitment system, we’ve also created and strengthened volunteer recruitment policies and procedures. To keep up to date with the progress of this platform, check out the Members Online page: members.cfa.vic.gov.au/mycfa/ Show?pageId=recruitRetainProject. You’ll also find resources that show the platform’s functions, user guides, quick reference guides, FAQs and demonstration videos. If you have any questions email volrecruithub@cfa.vic.gov.au STORY NIKI HABIBIS
Welcome relief for Darlington A year ago, Darlington brigade Secretary Trish Wynd saw the article in Brigade magazine about Yallourn North’s new sanitary trailer and contacted Yallourn North Fire Brigade Captain Mark King to find out the cost to build a trailer for Darlington brigade and its community. Mark said their original sanitary trailer, which was donated by CFA, hasn’t been used much since they received the new one last year. After discussing it with his brigade, Mark contacted the District 27
assistant chief fire officer to ask whether the brigade could donate the old trailer to Darlington brigade. The ACFO agreed and Mark delivered it to Darlington in person (pictured fifth from the left), which was much appreciated by Darlington brigade members. “The trailer will be a valuable asset for Darlington and the Lismore Group for roadside burns and incidents, because trees and privacy can be hard to find on the open plains,” Darlington Fire Brigade Captain Tony Wynd said. “We really appreciate this generous donation from Yallourn North brigade. The trailer will be put to good use.”
PHOTO: COURTESY OF DARLINGTON BRIGADE
Darlington Fire Brigade in District 6 recently became the proud owner of a sanitary trailer following a generous donation from Yallourn North Fire Brigade.
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