LEADERS’ NEWS CEO
CHAIR
Natalie MacDonald Our volunteers are the heart and soul of CFA and together with Chief Officer Jason Heffernan my priority is to ensure we are improving the way our processes, training, resourcing and capability models support our volunteers. Since joining CFA, I have taken the time to get out and talk to as many of our members and stakeholders as possible to hear first-hand what matters most to you. While COVID-19 restrictions have slowed this down, I am still taking part in online events and gatherings at every opportunity. Access to training, the right equipment and the need to improve collaboration have been consistent themes in your feedback. To tackle this, we needed to ensure our organisation was set up to allow us to deliver support to our volunteers in the most effective way possible. A realignment of our organisation’s structure, particularly at the senior level, has brought decision-making for volunteer training delivery and support back to the regions. Our Regional Deputy Chief Officers now have significant accountability to ensure services are targeted to your needs. We are also improving how we deliver training and ensuring our volunteers have equipment to do their jobs. Opening later this year, our new $31 million, state-of-art training facility in Ballan includes an off-road complex and live fire training PADs. We’re also embracing new technologies through the rollout of our virtual reality training program. Funded under the Victorian Government’s $126 million Capability package, our next generation personal protective clothing will deliver modernised wildfire PPC to thousands of operational volunteers, providing an enhanced level of protection from radiant heat and heatrelated illness. The production of 50 replacement tankers funded under the Capability package is also underway. These will be progressively rolled out over the next three years. New stations at Carlsruhe, Bairnsdale, Casterton and Ararat are now online, with construction well underway on stations at Buninyong, Phillip Island, Coldstream and Plenty. The rollout of $1 million of the latest road rescue equipment to all CFA rescue brigades will greatly increase their operational efficiency and capability. We will also be distributing new workwear to provide a clear and distinctive identity for members undertaking CFA duties in the community. And this is just a snapshot of the range of projects underway to support our volunteers in the great work they do. We have a lot to be proud of at CFA. Together with the Chief Officer, I look forward to working with you as we continue to deliver on our commitment to the communities we serve.
Greg Wilson Through significant change for CFA over the past year, including returning to a volunteer firefighting organisation, one primary factor remains the same. Our people are committed to their communities and respond when people are in need. As a Board, we continue to support the great projects and initiatives that are both planned and underway throughout CFA, which will be assets to the volunteers who give up their time to protect others. Road rescue equipment, structural helmets and defibrillators are just some of the frontline equipment that has been provided to our people to keep them safe. We’ve also enhanced our training delivery, both in person and online, so that our people can adequately prepare and perform their duties to the highest standard. Our capability to adapt during the challenges of COVID-19 is a shining example of the talent and skill set our volunteers and staff bring to CFA. I encourage our members to read about these projects and initiatives on Members Online to monitor the progress. Within the past year the Board has appointed both Jason Heffernan and Natalie MacDonald in the positions of Chief Officer and Chief Executive Officer, respectively. They have now realigned CFA’s organisational structure to improve how CFA meets the needs of our volunteers to ensure they have the right training, resources and capability. We’re confident the changes Jason and Natalie have implemented will achieve the key objectives of better connections between our support teams and delivery, including training delivery, volunteer development and greater understanding of role requirements and decision-making processes. These changes have resulted from feedback the organisation received through multiple feedback forums with volunteers and staff. The level of engagement across these sessions and platforms was another example of the passion and drive of the skilled people who represent CFA. Your commitment is why CFA’s reputation as a trusted and respected emergency service remains high. We have continued to work alongside our community partners to ensure Victorians are prepared for and safe from fire.
09
