Association President & Vice President 2004/05
At the Association's Annual General Meeting held Sunday 12th September 2004, Captain Hans van Hamond (Wendouree) and Captain Rob Waterson (Cohuna) were elected President and Vice President of the Association respectively, for the ensuing twelve months.
Outgoing President Ron Schultz was thanked for his considerable contribution and leadership of the Association over the past two years in his role as President.

Retirements and Appointments
The Association's September meeting was the final meeting for retiring Executive Members David Adams and Mick Sanderson.  David has given over 14 years service to the Association and Mick over 21 years.  
Ex Lieutenant Charles Dennis (Frankston) has been appointed to replace David in November and Firefighter Dave Ackland (Seymour) has been appointed to replace Mick.

New Association Life Member
Regional Council No 20’s nomination of Captain Rob Waterson for Life Membership of the Association was approved at the Annual General Meeting.  Rob will be presented with his Life Member Certificate at the State Championships at Mooroopna next year.

20 Years Service
The President congratulated Executive Members Peter Bishop and Graeme Dare as the  representatives of Regions 6 and 18 on the Association's Governing Body for over 20 years, and presented Peter and Graeme with 20 Year Executive Member badges.

Re-Appointment to VFBV Board
Brigades were advised of an impending vacancy on the Board of VFBV due to Quentin Turner’s term expiring in September 2004, with a closing date for nominations of 13th August 2004.  The only application received was from Quentin Turner, and the Association at its Annual General Meeting, resolved to re-appointment Quentin for a term of three years.

Presentations
The Association received four presentations from CFA personnel on current issues.  These were:
Tony Duckmanton – Transfer of current training to the ‘Public Safety Training Package’.  This is a national qualification and there will be no direct impact on the volunteers.  The qualification will be recognised across all emergency services nationally.
Sherri McKerley – ‘CFA Children/Young Persons Protection Policy’.  The policy will apply to all persons below the age of 18 years.  CFA has a moral and legal responsibility to create a safe environment for persons under the age of 18 years.
Barbara Lewis – ‘Behavioural Awareness Program’.
Geoff Spring – ‘Strategic Planning in the CFA’. 

Communications Projects
The Association noted papers from the Joint Communications Committee meeting on: 
- Proposed timetable for transfer of calls to Country Call Taking Centre at Mt Helen;
- Cut-over to Spectrum Pre-Conferencing;
- Emergency Alerting System (EAS);
- Sale of Country Fire Alarms timetable.

Inspection of Fire Hydrants/Plugs  
Over the past few years, some brigades in rapidly expanding residential areas have advised the Association of their inability to inspect fire hydrants/plugs in their fire districts on an annual basis (as required in the Chief Officer’s Standing Orders).  The Association has raised the brigades' concerns with the CFA.

The CFA has obtained legal advice indicating that it has no legal obligation to inspect fire hydrants and plugs and that Water Authorities and Licensees have a duty of care to keep these appliances in working order.

A new C.O. Standing Order has been drafted which will remove the necessity to annually inspect fire hydrants and plugs, but will not prevent those brigades which wish to do so, from continuing this practice.

Loose Items in Cabins of Pumpers and Tankers
Brigades are reminded of the need to secure loose items in the cabins of Pumpers and Tankers to prevent injury to the occupants in the event of any sudden stopping or accident.  Particular care should be taken when on strike teams when additional items may be carried in the cabins.

Items Raised with the CFA on Behalf of Regional Councils etc.:

•  problems being experienced with the Spectrum system;
•  implementation of a Fleet Manager to manage day to day co-ordination of vehicle development and delivery;
•  provision of more than one set of epaulettes for brigade members if required;
•  transfer of CFA's Youth Programs to Human Resources and a dedicated co-ordinator;
•  maximum number of volunteers to be carried on pumpers and tankers;
•  numbers of volunteers attending AFAC Volunteers Leaders Program;
•  re-print of map books across the State;   
•  delays of field trials for testing new structural ensemble;
•  amount of theoretical training and lack of practical training in the Region 24; 
•  include list of Gold Star award recipients on Brigades On-Line Awards list;
•  results of tests undertaken on new structural ensemble and timeframe for distribution;
•  concerns with brigade purchases via CFA purchasing system and lack of reference on delivery dockets or invoices to the original purchase order;  
•  Mutual Aid Training; 
•  car parking at fire hydrants; 
•  FEM brigades receiving paperwork from the CFA in regard to outstanding work orders; 
•  GPS for strike teams and recommending hand held GPS for tankers;
•  availability of  CFA Price List;
•  numbers of pagers to be distributed under EAS program; 
•  policy of DMO’s not changing tyres.

•  Level 3 Structural Firefighter Boots;
•  1,500 Litre Tankers;
•  Strategic Planning Issues in Regional Council No. 11;
•  Auxiliary members in relation to CFA Act; 
•  Ambulance Coverage for CFA Members; 
•  Uniform Committee;
•  continuation of Falls from Heights Committee;
•  wearing of safety apparel beneath turnout clothing;
•  electric timing for approved Junior competitions;
•  Mutual Aid Training and Level 2 Firefighting training;
•  clarification regarding Brigade Financial Records;
•  caravan used for judging at the State Championships.

•  draft Child Protection Policy produced by the Child Protection Working Party; 
•  services volunteers require and where they want them delivered from; 
•  Media Policy & Procedures for Dealing with the Media;
•  Defining the uses and limiting the application of the CFA Fire Star Policy;
•  Consultation Draft paper, “Fire Refuges in Victoria Policy and Practice” released for comment by the Office of the Emergency Services Commissioner.  

CHAMPIONSHIP ITEMS

 Rule Changes
 The Association has approved Rule changes for two Championship events – the 8 Y and the Junior Wet Hose Striking One Disc Twice.  Both events are to be treated as new events.  Details of the Rule changes have been forwarded separately to all brigades together with amendments to the Rules for the Pumper Event.
  
State Championships 2007 – 2009
Separate advice has been forwarded that brigades interested in hosting a Junior or Senior State Championship during the years 2007 to 2009, should now lodge an Expression of Interest with the Association.  Closing date for applications is Friday 11th March 2005.  
 

P E DAVIS, Secretary 
Web Site:   www.vicnet.net.au/~vufba/ 
email:  vufba@vfbv.com.au