WINTER 2011 WINTER FACTORY INFERNO 130 firefighters battle fireballs and exploding oil drums ALSO: VOLUNTEER SUMMIT, CFA CONNECT REDESIGN, NEW OH&S LAWS CONTENTS ON SALE WINTER 2011 NOW! CEO’s column ......................................3 CFA news ...........................................4 Incident summary ................................5 Dandenong South factory fire ..............6 Incidents ...........................................10 Chief Officer’s column ........................16 PERFECT FATher’s DAY GIFT Brigade training .................................17 Treat your dad this Father’s Day with his own piece of CFA history: the ‘Spirit of CFA’ limited edition art print. Memberlink ......................................20 The painting, by Australian artist Jamie Cooper, shows CFA’s history from its volunteer firefighting origins to the diverse emergency services organisation it has become. Cooper has captured the essence of CFA – ordinary Australians doing Canberra Summit ..............................22 extraordinary things. The Spirit of CFA will make a special gift for your dad, grandfather and all News ................................................23 firefighting enthusiasts and will complement any home or office. Purchase this fine art print for Or framed Brigades ...........................................27 Championships ..................................31 $59.95 $195 including Australia-wide delivery Community safety .............................32 Proceeds from the sale go to leadership training for volunteers. This offer is only available for a limited time. Regional roundup ..............................34 To order, visit www.memorabiliaonline.com.au Through the ages − Wonga Park ......39 or call 1800 889 992. Cover: TriTech Lubricants factory fire in Dandenong South. Photo by Keith Pakenham. WINTER 2011 WINTER Brigade is produced by CFA Strategic Communications Change of address Telephone: 9262 8300 Facsimile: 9262 8352 If you need to update your address PO Box 701 Mt Waverley VIC 3149 details to receive Brigade magazine, phone the FIRS RMS Project Officer Executive Manager Strategic on 1800 62 88 44. Communications: Liz Armitage Editor: Duncan Russell ([email protected]) Articles reflect the opinions of the FACTORY INFERNO authors and not necessarily those 130 firefighters battle fireballs and exploding oil drums Design: Spike Creative of CFA. The Editor reserves the right PEFC / 21 - 31 - 43 ALSO: VOLUNTEER SUMMIT, CFA CONNECT REDESIGN, NEW OH&S LAWS Print management: Printelligence to refuse or edit articles. Mick Bourke From the CEO Creating our future together STRATEGY will ensure that the Chief Officer has at his command the In this edition, I’d like to take the opportunity to talk to you about resources that are needed in the field to deliver the services that organisational change. we must deliver. At its May meeting, the Board considered proposals we took to it It will also ensure for the first time that the Chief Officer about CFA strategy. And the Board has called that strategy ‘Creating has a clear line of sight and a management control through our Future Together’. Regions, Districts and brigades. The line of sight for all parties The strategy has two very strong starting points. First, we will be direct and clear. Likewise, there’ll be a clear focus in the recognise that we’re a community based fire and emergency service. structure on volunteerism. Second, we have a powerful mission to protect lives and property, Also, in the structure we’ll be looking to ensure that our service particularly here in Victoria. delivery people – those at the front line – are well supported, and To put the strategy in place, we aim to do a variety of things. One that support is aligned behind them. of those is focusing on service delivery through our brigades, our Districts and our Regions. We’re going to ensure that our volunteers NEXT STEPS get adequate support and focus; they’re such a magnificent part of We are committed to this change and we would ask that you come the capacity we have in Victoria. along the journey with us. To ensure you know which way we’re going, We’re going to develop and grow more leaders. We’re going we’ll keep you regularly informed so you know how to contribute and to ensure we invest in the development of our people. And, how to participate. furthermore, we’re going to maintain our focus on delivering what Change can sometimes interrupt activities. We’ll be sure that this the community needs, always. change does not interrupt our preparation for the next fire season. ■ Our strategy also sees us working together as one CFA, not as many CFAs. Out of that there’ll be great benefits for our organisation. Mick Bourke STRUCTURE CEO To deliver the strategy we have to change our structure. I’m sure you’ll agree that the structure has served us well over a period of time. But the needs of today and the needs of the future can no longer be delivered through the current structure. The structure Acknowledging our members s revealed in the last edition of Brigade, the Board is commissioning a special badge acknowledging the efforts of all A CFA members involved in the 2009 fires. This badge is a symbol of CFA’s appreciation, acknowledging the professionalism, dedication and selflessness of CFA members who, in such difficult times, continued to protect our community. The design of the badge is being finalised and it will appear on www.cfaconnect.net.au. It’s not too late to order your badge. You can contact your district headquarters, call Janette Parker on 03 9262 8486 or email [email protected]. Orders will be accepted until 1 August 2011, The new lapel badge acknowledges the commitment of CFA volunteers and badges will be sent in October. ■ during the 2009 bushfires. Photo by Keith Pakenham WINTER EDITION 3 CFA NEWS Kerry Murphy PSM AFSM Review of honours continues From the Chairman BY DARREN GREVIS-JAMES roposed changes to CFA’s honours and awards are at the he June Board meeting was held in Swan Hill in recognition consultation stage with Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV) and of the sustained work of Loddon Mallee CFA members P unions, following a call by the CFA Board for a review of the current Tthrough the recent floods. It was also recognition that, for system including the process for nominations and range of awards. many members, the flood crisis is still exacting a heavy toll. Changes may include enhancing some awards, discontinuing others Loddon Mallee Regional Manager Pat O’Brien hosted a dinner for and formalising the hierarchy of awards available to CFA members. New Board members, the Chief Officer and CFA members representing a awards and enhancements that could also be introduced include insignia range of brigades from across the Region. It was an opportunity for to complement commendations and ‘unit citations’ for courage. those members to pose forthright questions about immediate needs, An Honours and Awards Review Reference Group, led by CFA’s channels for assistance and other matters of concern to them. Executive Manager for Operational Training and Volunteerism Lex de The Board members were updated on the CFA submission to the Man, will oversee the development of the future system. Lex said it’s independent Jones Inquiry into arrangements for CFA volunteers. about 10 years since CFA reviewed its honours and awards and the Board The Honourable David Jones held open sessions for volunteers agreed the timing was right to streamline and improve the process. He across the State, with training emerging as one of the most said not only would the criteria for awards be reviewed, but also the pressing issues for our members, amongst many others. design of awards, medals and ribbons. The Victorian Floods Review has also conducted community “Criteria for life membership will also be reviewed to consider consultations around the State. CFA provided information on including CFA staff in the award,” Lex added. “But until the CFA a range of issues including community advice and warnings, Board makes a decision on the honours and awards system, all current emergency management capacity and deployment. nominations for awards will be treated under the existing process,” The interim report from the Floods Review is due to the he said. ■ Premier at the end of June, and the report from the Jones Inquiry is likewise expected to be completed soon after the end of June. The Board was also briefed on the rapid and cautious approach taken to the discovery of asbestos at the South East Training Ground Asbestos found in April – see right for more details. The Fire Services Commissioner consulted with the CFA Board at Bangholme on his reform plan. More detailed information will be passed to members as it becomes available. BY GERARD SCHOLTEN CFA took many opportunities during May’s National Volunteer angholme training ground returned to business as usual on 30 May Week to showcase the dedication of our members. Stories following the removal of small fragments of asbestos cement debris appeared in newspapers around the State celebrating the work of Bfound in the soil of a garden bed in late April. local brigades and their vital commitment to their communities to CFA management took a proper and cautious approach and the area was protect lives and property. cordoned off. Testing later found asbestos cement debris also in the soil at The 2011 State Budget was good news for CFA with funding the driving range under construction. No other areas of the grounds were received for 101 new vehicles and 60 new or upgraded rural found to be contaminated. stations to be built in 2011-12. CFA informed media of the contamination on 3 May after first contacting The Chief Officer reported on the Dandenong South factory Bangholme staff and other CFA members, including the parents of junior fire, a significant structural incident with a number of agencies CFA volunteers who had worked in the area.