Even the most resilient emergency services workers and volunteers can be affected by stress and trauma related to their work, or as a result of other life challenges. Are They Triple OK? resources provide practical tools and tips on how to start an R U OK? conversation with a workmate, friend or family member in the emergency services, to help them feel connected and supported, long before they’re in crisis. Scan to learn more
Letters to the editor
Content for Phoenix
Photography should only be supplied digitally or as original prints (please supply stamped, self-addressed envelope for returning). Please avoid scanning of any type. Text should be supplied electronically as a Microsoft Word document.
Send all articles to: Email: phoenix@vicsesva.org.au
VicSESVA CONTACTS
VicSESVA Phoenix Editor & Mailing List Enquiries
To add, edit or delete members to mail list or password and technical support contact: helpdesk@vicsesva.org.au
VicSESVA STATE BOARD EXECUTIVE & STATE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Advertisers Alert
Countrywide Austral is appointed by the Victoria Emergency Service Association as the authorised publisher of PHOENIX. For enquiries re advertising in this magazine, please contact the printers and publishers:
Welcome to this edition of Phoenix , which marks the 25th anniversary of the journal being published by Countrywide Austral. While a quarter of a century sounds like a long time, for many in the sector, it seems like yesterday. The volunteers in all the emergency services were working diligently then as now.
Many will remember the tragic Linton fire 25 years ago which claimed the lives of five CFA fire-fighters. Others will remember the Longford gas plant explosion, with two people dead and eight seriously injured. Both those events are remembered in this edition and we express our deepest condolences to family and friends of those who perished.
The future is not looking very optimistic. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a warning about ‘global boiling’, urging everyone to take climate change seriously, after July was declared the hottest month on record, in history.
As this edition goes to press, there are still record wildfires raging in Canada, with Australian crews being deployed to help, and devastating fires have left utter destruction on the island of Maui, Hawai’i.
Australia is entering an El Niño weather phase. Are we ready for what we have witnessed overseas? It was telling to hear the calm and focused voice of the former Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley in the media – concerned that Victoria may not have invested enough in our aerial firefighting capacity.
What have we learnt from the recent past? One thing seems clear: the control and management of emergency processes may not be agile enough to effectively confront what we have already faced and what we will face in the future. 2022, for example, was the year of record floods across Victoria. Has anything changed in the twelve months or more since communities and responders were overwhelmed? Not according to many volunteers who have been contributing
to the Parliamentary Enquiry. Many are perplexed as to why EMV declined to conduct a comprehensive, transparent multi-agency after action review. What are we waiting for? What is the strategic plan for similar events in the future? If there isn’t one, maybe some in the sector might consider the position taken by Maui’s Chief of their Emergency Management Agency; he resigned.
On a more optimistic note, the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission has finalised their report to VicSES ‘Strengthening VicSES’. A catalyst for this engagement was the VicSESVA 2021 Culture and Conduct Survey, and every volunteer who contributed to that can feel proud of having made a difference. Hopefully, all the VEOHRC recommendations are taken up by VicSES so that in the future, volunteers and staff will experience a culture that is safe, supportive and respectful.
Chairperson
chair@vicsesva.org.au
Treasurer treasurer@vicsesva.org.au
Secretary secretary@vicsesva.org.au
Volunteer Shop shop@vicsesva.org.au
vicsesva.org.au
Phoenix Editor
phoenix@vicsesva.org.au
South West Regional Council
swrc@vicsesva.org.au
Mid-West Regional Council
mwrc@vicsesva.org.au
North West Regional Council nwrc@vicsesva.org.au
North East Regional Council nerc@vicsesva.org.au
East Regional Council erc@vicsesva.org.au
Central East Regional Council cerc@vicsesva.org.au
Central West Regional Council cwrc@vicsesva.org.au
It is now 10 years since Countrywide Media was asked by Past President Geoff Perkins to produce a newly formatted edition of our Phoenix Journal. The first of the new editions were produced by two partners Tony Cornish and Chris Pierlot. These two became the Directors of the business we know as CWM. A contract to produce the V.E.S.A. calendar was drawn up and confirmed by the then president of V.E.S.A, by way of Geoff Webb who then, with the Committee of Management, drew up an additional contract to produce the Phoenix Journal.
As you, the readers, overview the collage of Phoenix covers, it will be noticed that our
10 YEARS OF PHOENIX JOURNAL
product has improved with time. This is in no small way due to the expertise of production staff at CWM. Also it will be noticed that our journal is now produced in full gloss and colour and at no additional cost to V.E.S.A.
The Editor’s task in producing copy with photos where possible is a rather difficult task as it appears, at times, that copy is not always forthcoming. Given the hours that SES volunteers give to our communities, it is understandable that producing worthy editorial can be taxing on our available time. It has been our effort to produce information on funding available to VicSES as well as providing sponsorship support details.
In closing, we all extend our gratitude and thanks to the staff and employees at CWM for the 10 years’ effort in providing a worthy and sustainable product for the volunteers of our communities as well as the development of their business.
On a personal note, my thanks to all those who have contributed over the years. I would also wish to extend to you the heartiest of season’s greetings. May your Christmas be pleasurable and safe.
Geoff Webb Phoenix Editor/Manager
25 YEARS OF PHOENIX JOURNAL WITH CWA
THE HISTORY OF THE PHOENIX MAGAZINE CAN BE TRACED FROM THE EARLY EDITIONS OF THE SES MAGAZINE ‘IMPACT’, 1981-1987.
From 1987, Phoenix has been published as a stand-alone journal, supported by volunteers, for volunteers. You can read more about Phoenix at https:// vicsesva.org.au/phoenix-history/ VicSESVA has also scanned and uploaded to the website all previous editions, including early Impact editions. You can log in to VicSESVA and access any of those copies in the archive.
The choice of the Phoenix as the name and logo is still unclear. It has been suggested that during the organisation’s time as Civil Defence, a badge was produced displaying a Phoenix rising from the ashes signifying “recovery after devastation”, with the words Civil Defence underneath.
Since 1998, VicSESVA partnered with Countrywide Austral (CWA) to produce the Phoenix journal. Information about CWA and the other emergency sector journals they publish can be found at: https://www.cwaustral.com.au/
What was happening in 1998?
Two major incidents that occurred in 1998 were the Longford gas plant explosion in September and the Linton bushfire in December.
Longford
On 25 September 1998 a catastrophic industrial accident occurred at one of the three Esso natural gas plant at Longford, Australia. A pressurised vessel ruptured producing a violent outburst of hydrocarbons followed by a severe fire that burned for two days. The last fires were extinguished at 5.30pm on 27 September.
Two Esso employees were killed by the explosion and eight sustained serious injury.
Natural gas supply to the state of Victoria was severely disrupted for two weeks. Many Victorians were left without gas completely for 19 days.
It is estimated that 1.4 million households and 89,000 businesses were affected, costing approximately $1.3 billion.
On 12 October 1998, the Victorian Government announced a Royal Commission into the incident; the Esso Longford Royal Commission (LFRC) to publicly investigate the causes of the accident.
It concluded that employees were not properly trained, and supervisors and higher management did not have the necessary knowledge to deal with the dangers caused by a pump shutdown. It was found that the ultimate cause of the accident was a failure to equip employees with appropriate knowledge to deal with the events that occurred.
Linton
One of the worst fire disasters in Victoria occurred on 2 December 1998 at Linton.
Covers from 1998.
A fire six km north of Linton (30 km south-west of Ballarat in western Victoria) burnt 660 hectares of private and public land. During the evening two CFA tankers became trapped. One successfully took survival action. The other was destroyed by fire and its crew of five volunteer firefighters died.
The Coronial Inquest commenced in mid July 2000 and the hearing of evidence concluded on 5 April 2001. An additional sitting for 2 weeks in late June 2001 was undertaken to process formal submissions from the parties. The State Coroner produced a report on 11 January 2002, containing 55 recommendations.
The CFA describes the event:
The tragic loss of five firefighters in the Linton blaze on 2 December 1998 marked the beginning of a new era for firefighter safety at CFA.
In a fire that had started on private property and spread through more than 600 hectares of bush and farmland, tragedy struck when a savage wind change swept through earlier than expected.
After 8pm that day, at a forest fire north of the small town of Linton near Ballarat, two tankers – one from Geelong City and one from Geelong West - were engulfed by flames after the change in wind direction.
The Geelong City crew had more water on board and were able to protect themselves as the flames leapt to treetop height and raged over them. The Geelong West crew was trapped in their truck and unable to escape or fight back. All five volunteers perished.
We remember and honour the lives of Christopher Evans, Jason Thomas, Matthew
Armstrong, Stuart Davidson and Garry Vredeveldt from Geelong West. We will always reflect on the Linton fires and the practices learned from them in protecting today’s CFA volunteers.
Have you visited the Emergency Services Memorial?
The Victorian Emergency Services Memorial, inside the Treasury Gardens, is a collaboration between the Country Fire Authority and Metropolitan Fire Brigade (now Fire Rescue Victoria), the Victorian SES, Ambulance Victoria, Forest Fire Management Victoria and Life Saving Victoria.
The design combines the differing needs and cultures of six separate emergency services agencies into one memorial space. Conceived to become part of its surrounding parklands, it is a place of sanctuary and reflection for members’ families to reflect on the service and sacrifice of their loved ones.
AS WILDFIRES RAGED ACROSS SOUTHERN EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA, TOP UN CLIMATE SCIENTISTS SAID ON THURSDAY THAT IT WAS “VIRTUALLY CERTAIN” THAT JULY 2023 WILL BE THE WARMEST ON RECORD.
Echoing that warning in New York, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that “short of a mini-Ice Age” in coming days, July 2023 would likely “shatter records across the board”.
“Climate change is here. It is terrifying. And it is just the beginning,” said the UN chief, warning that the consequences are as clear as they are tragic: “children swept away by monsoon rains, families running from the flames (and) workers collapsing in scorching heat.”
Remarkable and unprecedented
In Geneva, scientists from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the European Commission’s Copernicus Climate Change Service described conditions this month as “rather remarkable and unprecedented”.
They said that new data showed that so far, July has seen the hottest three-week period ever recorded and the three hottest days on record.
“We can say that the first three weeks of July have been the warmest three weeks periods ever observed in our record,” said Carlo Buentempo, Director of Copernicus Climate Change Service, via Zoom.
“This anomaly is so large with respect to other record-breaking months in our record that we are virtually certain that the month, the month as a whole will become the warmest July on record, the warmest month on record, in all likelihood.”
Ocean temperature record
Just as worrying was the fact that ocean temperatures are at their highest-ever recorded levels for this time of year. This trend has been apparent since the end of April.
Citing “a clear and dramatic warming decade on decade” since the 1970s, WMO’s Director of Climate Services Chris Hewitt noted that 2015 to 2022 saw the eight warmest years on record, based on a 173- year dataset.
This was despite the fact that the La Niña sea-cooling phenomenon prevailed towards the end of that period in the Pacific region, which reined in global average temperatures slightly, Mr. Hewitt explained.
“But now the La Niña has ended” - to be replaced by the sea-warming El Niño effectwaters have begun to heat up in the tropical Pacific, bringing the “almost certain likelihood that one of the next five years will be the warmest on record”.
It is also “more likely than not” that global average temperatures will temporarily exceed the 1.5°C threshold above preindustrial levels “for at least one of the five years”, the WMO scientist continued.
Era of global boiling
Speaking at UN Headquarters, the Secretary-General underscored the need for global action on emissions, climate adaptation and climate finance.
He warned that “the era of global warming has ended” and “the era of global boiling has arrived.”
Although climate change is evident, “we can still stop the worst,” he said. “But to do so we must turn a year of burning heat into a year of burning ambition.”
Climate action now
He said leaders “must step up for climate action and climate justice”, particularly those from the G20 leading industrial nations, responsible for 80 per cent of global emissions.
He pointed to upcoming summits - including the UN Climate Ambition Summit in September and the COP28 climate conference in Dubai in Novemberas critical opportunities.
Net-zero goal
Mr. Guterres highlighted the need for new national emissions targets from G20 members and urged all countries to push to reach net zero emissions by mid-century.
He said all actors must unite to accelerate the just and equitable transition
from fossil fuels to renewable energy, while stopping oil and gas expansion and phasing out coal by 2040.
Action from companies, cities, regions, financial institutions and fossil fuel companies is also critical.
“No more greenwashing. No more deception. And no more abusive distortion of anti-trust laws to sabotage net zero alliances,” he said.
Investment for adaptation
With extreme weather “becoming the new normal”, Mr. Guterres appealed for “a global surge in adaptation investment” to save millions from the impacts of climate change, particularly in developing countries.
He said developed countries must present a clear and credible roadmap to double adaptation finance by 2025. Furthermore, all governments should implement a UN action plan aimed at ensuring everyone on the planet is protected by early warning systems by 2027.
Honour the commitment
On finance, the SecretaryGeneral urged richer countries to honour their commitments to provide $100 billion annually for climate support in developing countries and to fully replenish the Green Climate Fund.
“I am concerned that only two G7 countries – Canada and Germany – have made replenishment pledges so far,” he said. “Countries must also operationalise the loss and damage fund at COP28 this year. No more delays or excuses.”
Mr. Guterres also reiterated the need for “a course correction in the global finance system” to support accelerated climate action.
Measures would include putting a price on carbon and getting multilateral development banks to scale up funding for renewable energy, adaptation, and loss and damage.
PROUD SUPPORTER OF THE SES.
“ Thank you to all the volunteers for their hard work and dedication to the community ”
This ESF hosted Mental Health Showcase is for staff and volunteers with an interest in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of the 139,000 people working across Victorian’s emergency management sector.
Designed by people within the sector, this bespoke event will provide the opportunity to:
• Network with likeminded colleagues from 15 emergency service agencies
• Learn from experts and leading practitioners
• Reflect and discuss emerging mental health and wellbeing issues for our sector
• Collaborate and be inspired
• Take away ides to improve your practice
$130 +GST per person
Held at Life Saving Victoria 200 The Boulevard Port Melbourne
REGISTER NOW
The highly interactive program will provide plenty of opportunity to interact with other participants through discussion.
Topics include:
• What is Resilience?
• Answering the Call data - what has changed since 2018?
• How does work design impact on psycho-social risks?
• Lived experience and improving mental health outcomes.
4 Oct 2023 9am – 4.15pm
Your choice of break out session
• Stream one - Social issues impacting wellbeing in the workplace
• Stream two - A facilitated discussion for Peer Support Coordinators about recruitment and refresher training
• Stream three - How could I be a better peer?
Event Program
Wednesday 4 October 2023
Morning Session Afternoon
Welcome and opening address –Siusan MacKenzie / presenting partner
Resilience is a concept that does more harm than good - a debate facilitated by Nicole Sadler, Phoenix Australia
Revisiting Answering the Call – What's changed and what next in terms of data collection? Facilitated by Kate Connors, Chair ESF Mental Health Advisory Group
David Lawrence - University of WA and author of Answering the Call
Sophie Barrett - Senior manager
VACU Wellbeing & Support Services Ambulance Victoria
Morning Tea
Work Design - facilitated by Dale McQualter - Maddocks
Judy Chi - Senior Research Officer, Furture of Work Institute, Curtin University
Lunch and networking
Session Streams
1. Emerging issues panel
Moral Injury – Dr Shannon Hood, Tolycab
Impact on the workplace of domestic violence – Jane Gilmore Safe Steps
Impact on the workplace of divorce trauma - Angela Harbinson, The Separation Guide
Compassion fatigue – Peter Romanis, ESF Scholarship recipient 2023
2. Peer coordinators facilitated discussion
Recruitment – how can it be used to build credibility and reputation of the program?
Refresher training – what are we doing that can be shared?
3. Peer issues discussion facilitated by Jo Hood, Tolycab
How could I be a better peer?
Afternoon tea
Harnessing the value of lived experience - facilitated by Tim Peck, Phoenix Australia
Reflection & Close
What Are They? REGIONAL UNITS
Regional Units – what are they?
Each of Victoria’s Emergency Management Regions (Barwon South West, Eastern Metro, Gippsland, Grampians, Hume, Loddon Mallee, North West Metro and Southern Metro) has a volunteer Regional Unit based at a Regional Office or Incident Control Centre.
A Bit of History
When VicSES was formed out of the existing Civil Defence Organisation in 1975, it had a very small number of Regional staff –frequently just a “Regional Officer” who was expected to do just about everything. To assist them in their roles Regional Support Units were formed, and their members filled many roles from logistics to radio operator and even fund raising for equipment!
Since those “Dad’s Army” days the Regional Support Units have evolved with the sector and service. Several years ago they were renamed ‘Headquarters’ Units to better align with CFA Headquarters Brigades and as of last October, simply Regional Units. Many VicSES members continue to refer to “RSUs” and this may persist for a while to come.
Regional Unit Roles
The primary roles of Regional Unit members focus on Incident Management, particularly during Level 2 and 3 Incidents at Control Centres, Division Command Points and Incident Control Points. These roles range from endorsed Level 2 and 3 functional roles in Incident Management Teams to Field Operation Vehicle operators, IMS operators and telephone triage.
Regional Unit members also complete ICC and FOV readiness checks, assist with community and PR events, and provide members for urban land search events.
The focus of individual Units can vary a little, with Units based in an ICC giving those roles priority and those that regularly operate an FOV maintaining that capability. Logistics assistance to Regional staff is another important task for selected Units.
The operational pattern of Regional Units can be described as ‘less frequent but longer’, with 12 hour ICC shifts being typical.
North West Metro Regional Unit
Our Unit was formed just on ten years ago when the Sunshine ICC was commissioned. Founding members were all long serving
volunteers looking for a change from ‘hands on’ flood and storm response – or in the case of three dual members, an additional challenge. Since then we have also recruited members direct from the public with significant professional and life skills, and these volunteers now make up half our membership. We remain very keen to welcome more volunteers with previous VicSES experience.
A relatively recent change for us has been welcoming the Country Fire Authority’s District 14 Incident Management Team to our Sunshine ICC. The last fire season saw us fill Reception, Management Support, Facility Officer, Agency Commander and other roles each time the ICC was ‘stood up’ or on one hour standby.
We receive excellent support from our Regional staff, our cluster Units (particularly our friends at Hobsons Bay), the Operational Communications team and other State staff including our Chief Officer Operations.
If your Unit has an event or activity that your local Regional Unit can support, please reach out to them!
Submitted by David Edwards Controller North West Metro Regional Unit
Melina BATH
MEMBER FOR EASTERN VICTORIA melina.bath@parliament.vic.gov.au 03 5174 7066 2/181 Franklin St, Traralgon VIC 3844 www.melinabath.com.au
martin.cameron@parliament.vic.gov.au 03 5133 9088 12-14 George St, Morwell VIC 3840 www.martincameron.com.au Martin CAMERON MEMBER FOR MORWELL
SAVING
MR BANKSIA!
ON SATURDAY JULY 8, CHELSEA SES WERE CALLED TO A HUGE BANKSIA TREE THAT HAD COME DOWN IN EDITHVALE IN THE EARLY HOURS OF THE MORNING.
On arrival, it quickly became obvious that the tree held such affection within the local community, with so many passersby, stopping to say how sad they were to see what had happened.
Once the job was completed, we posted the story to our Facebook page, and the story received more than 17,000 hits, and so many comments from locals about how awful it was to have lost this precious tree.
On further investigation, we found that the tree was classed as a remnant tree, meaning a native tree that had remained in the landscape after the removal of most, or all of the other native vegetation in the immediate vicinity. We knew the tree had age, and now we also knew that the tree was potentially a tree of significance to the indigenous people who lived in the area at that time, so what could we do?
In the comments on the original post, we received a comment, suggesting that we contact a local Indigenous Nursery to see if they could help. We contacted Carrum Indigenous Nursery to see if they were interested in collecting some seed pods from the tree, so as to continue this very old trees story, using the pods to grow some seedlings for planting. This way, the tree would live on, in a different place maybe, but still with the same history.
We were so happy that Lesley and her husband Jason, volunteers from the Carrum Indigenous Nursery, came down to Edithvale that afternoon, to see what they could find, and whether or not they could collect any seeds for planting. It became obvious pretty quickly from Lesley’s excitement that this was not a wasted trip.
After about an hour of foraging through the foliage, Lesley and Jason, believed they had collected enough seeds to plant up to 1,000 seedlings, amazing!
The other thing they collected was the green Banksia flowers. These are then given out to kindergartens and primary schools, for the kids to use as paint brushes, as they have been used for so long by indigenous artists.
It seems so appropriate, that this elder amongst native trees, will now have a legacy of seedlings, ready to keep the history alive, and that it happened on the final day of NAIDOC Week for 2023.
The follow up post about the seed collection has attracted almost 20,000
hits, and we have even had a lady from the UK who used to live in the area, asking if she could get one of the seedlings when she is visiting Melbourne in September, so that a family member can plant it on their property.
This is not something that happens every day for an SES Unit, but it was so satisfying, to know that from such a simple job, a story like this could unfold.
Submitted by Phil Wall VicSES Chelsea
Examples.
SES FIT FOR ROLE LAUNCHED AT AFAC23
THE SES FIT FOR ROLE PROJECT WAS UNDERTAKEN BY AUSTRALIA’S STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE AGENCIES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BUSHFIRE AND NATURAL HAZARDS CRC, JOINTLY FUNDED WITH THE AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL OF STATE EMERGENCY SERVICES AND COMPLETED BY NATURAL HAZARDS RESEARCH AUSTRALIA WITH SUPPORT FROM AFAC.
The aim was to develop an evidence- based program that defined the minimum physical fitness required to undertake certain SES tasks, supplemented with a set of physical fitness assessments that can be undertaken by SES units and groups.
It is the first time that state- and territory-based emergency services across Australia have collectively developed and implemented a single national approach to safe physical fitness of first responders.
Hazard Note 4: A national evidencebased SES program to reduce injury summarises this research and presents the new evidence-based national SES Fitness for Role program.
• The SES Fit for Task project began in 2014 (Stage 1).
• Measured the physical and physiological demands of a subset of SES roles in Victoria and New South Wales.
• Demonstrated the potential to use this approach to investigation the physical demands for common SES roles across all Australian states and territories.
• The SES Fit for Task project was extended in 2017 – 2022 (Stage 2).
• Objectively measured physical and physiological demands of a variety of SES roles, to establish physical assessments for SES personnel.
• These assessments are used to be sure SES personnel can demonstrate they have the baseline (minimum) physical competencies to meet the physical demands of the SES tasks they undertake.
• The national program is now being implemented 2023 – 2025 (Stage 3).
• National launch of the program August 2023.
• Implementation over 24 months.
Objectives of the Fitness for Role Program
• Establish a set of consistent national minimum fitness standards for specified SES tasks.
• Ensure these fitness standards are valid
• Supported by evidence, defensible, practical and easily implemented.
• Support SES agencies (nationally) in determining whether an individual can safely undertake a task, or role.
• Have transparent, well documented and well communicated processes in support of the Fitness for Role program.
• Foster an inclusive workplace where SES members of all abilities can contribute to service delivery.
VEOHRC CONSULTATION REPORT STRENGTHENING VICSES
IN 2022, VICSES INVITED THE VICTORIAN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION (THE COMMISSION) TO SUPPORT THE ORGANISATION TO STRENGTHEN ITS PREVENTION OF AND RESPONSE TO BULLYING, SEXUAL HARASSMENT, DISCRIMINATION, AND VICTIMISATION.
VicSES had already undertaken a number of cultural reviews and obtained further data from internal surveys and other reports. VicSES requested the Commission to support ongoing reform efforts by conducting a forward-looking consultation with staff and volunteers on priority areas and ideas for change. The consultation was independent and prioritised member voices in the reform process.
Summary of findings
The Commission’s findings speak to an organisational culture undergoing a period of significant change. The consultation heard members talk about the deep sense of satisfaction and meaning they feel in serving their community and the desire to help others driving their ongoing service. Members’ deep commitment to the organisation and the service of Victoria was evidenced throughout the consultation. Members value and care for each other and want to operate in a respectful, safe environment.
At the same time, the Commission found consensus that, like most organisations, more is needed to be done to foster a respectful environment. The Commission found broad
acknowledgement that reforms will and should impact on all roles within the organisation. The consultation also heard that reforms already underway are welcomed and supported.
We found there is a strong commitment from all sides to participating in the modernisation and improvement of VicSES, where a safe speak-up culture will ensure those perpetrating harmful behaviours are not welcome in the organisation.
To contribute to the reform efforts, the consultation identified a number of priority areas,. Members also identified a number of actions that in their view would encourage more respectful conduct and address inappropriate behaviours.
YOUNG EMERGING LEADERS AT THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE 2023
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 2023, VICSESVA SPONSORED VICTORIAN YOUNG EMERGING LEADERS IN SES TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL ESF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE.
Lacey Martin (Nillumbik), Shanleigh Meldrum (Gisborne) and Brendan Williams (Footscray) and Shaylee Walsh (Wangaratta) were all finalists in the selection process for the National Young Emerging Leaders Program.
Shanleigh was also invited to be a guest speaker on a panel about diversity ‘Unlocking the Human Dimension’, speaking about her expertise in working with her Unit and local community on deaf and hard of hearing programmes.
Lacey Martin reflects on the experience:
I both appreciated and enjoyed being included in the conference. Meeting people from different organisations and even different states gave me a lot of new connections within the industry and has opened my eyes to possible career changes and opportunities that I would never even have thought of prior to this event. I found the presentations from how they manage floods in the UK shed new light and ideas on how we can manage situations differently in the future and potentially something we can aim towards putting permanent solutions in place for
some of our more vulnerable areas and infrastructure. Something I found quite surprising was how the Covid 19 pandemic actually created a broader thinking of disaster in general and how every service plays their part to support each other. I look forward to growing in this area, to more opportunities to learn and develop my skills in emergency management. Thank you so much for seeing my interest and giving me this opportunity.
Shanleigh Meldrum comments: What was one main thing learnt from the conference sessions?
The importance of working with communities before emergencies to develop rapport and positive relationships. This creates a more direct line of communication when an emergency occurs and information can be disseminated quicker and more effectively when there is access issues and limited resources. Across many presentations it was highlighted the benefit of partnering with First Nations organisations prior to the 2022 Flood events in the NW region which ensured that information was more accessible and reached them through these partner organisations.
Was there anything new or unexpected that you heard about?
The use of local public figures in communities on emergency media content to assist with flood updates and disseminating information. Often these channels are highly regulated by qualified MLOs but using public figures and allowing them to run live stream updates encouraged community members to trust emergency services and keep them updated. How was the whole experience useful?
I found the experience very rewarding and was grateful I was given the opportunity to be a panellist.
Through interactions with other attendees and the visibility of me using Auslan interpreters I hope it encourages them to prioritise Disability Inclusion and consider access when developing policies, programs and content. I was inspired by the other participants on my panel Carla and Ella advocating for young people and Bronnie Mackintosh and her dedication to improving attitudes and opportunities for women in Fire Services. They are all underrepresented groups within the sector that are so deserving of the spotlight.
L to R: Lacey, Brendan and Shanleigh (rear) with Auslan interpreters.
Mark Swiney, FRV, EMC committee Chair. Chris Moon, FRV.
Siusan MacKenzie CEO of ESF.
Greg Page ‘Yellow Wiggle’ dinner speaker. L to R: Lacey, Brendan and Shanleigh.
Panel on ‘Unlocking the Human Dimension’. Shanleigh third from left.
Lacey and Shanleigh with Siusan MacKenzie, CEO of the Emergency Services Foundation.
Sarah Wilson, Volunteering Australia.
VICSES WHITEHORSE UNIT JOINT TRAINING WITH AV
DAMIAN COLIN, DC OPS WHITEHORSE UNIT, EXPLAINS THEIR JOINT TRAINING SESSION WITH AV:
Following on from SES involvement with AV and their Surge program where several of Whitehorse Members were involved (including myself), a discussion was held with AV’s local Team Manager Glen Sutherland (Nunawading Branch) on how we could conduct some joint training and familiarisation. It was also very timely as we had been called to several Priority 1 calls to Assist AV with extraction of patients using the Mule in the last few weeks.
Glen and I organised a dedicated Monday night (on which we hold our briefing and training nights) and organised a couple of paramedics, a specialist manual handling paramedic, an ambulance vehicle and our unit members. In attendance from AV were;
We covered off the following topics through an open forum discussion and practical sessions:
• SES SOP 015 Assistance to Ambulance
• Type of SES jobs where we would assist AV and what AV would require from SES
• Training portal relevant courses
• Extrication demonstration
• Transfer of patient from mule to stretcher
• Ambulance vehicle familiarisation
• Mass casualty scene
• AV Health Commander role
Both agencies thoroughly enjoyed the evening learning much about each agency’s capabilities, processes and procedures and how we can work better together.
We would strongly suggest all SES Units contact their local AV branch to conduct similar sessions and consider doing them on a regular basis. It definitely promotes the “We work as one” philosophy!
Submitted by Damian Collins DC Operations, VicSES Whitehorse
