Australian Fire Service Medals
Congratulations are extended to the recent recipients of the Australian Fire Service Medal awarded in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.  This is the highest award available in our fire service and is well deserved recognition of outstanding contributions by these members.  Our congratulations to:
Captain Nev Jones AFSM (Moorooduc)
Fire Officer Peter Lucas AFSM 
Captain Ray Newnham AFSM (Bonang)
Ex Captain Allan Small AFSM (The Basin)
Captain Hans van Hamond AFSM (Wendouree)

New Executive Members
The Association welcomes two new members on to the Governing Body of the Association following the retirement of Ex Captain Quentin Turner AFSM (Region 15) and Ex Captain Barry Morris (Region 16). Captain Darryl Wagstaff (Maryborough) replaces Quentin Turner and Captain Mick Nunweek (Stawell) replaces Barry Morris. 

CFA Board Member Appointments
Ex Captain Michael Tudball (Bacchus Marsh) has been re-appointed as a representative of urban volunteers on the CFA Board for a three year term, and Captain Peter Marke (Upwey) has been appointed for the remainder of the term of Peter Bishop who retired last year.

Affiliations
Affiliations for Brigade, Brigade Auxiliary, Junior Brigade and for the Urban Brigades’ Welfare Fund are now due and payable for the year 2004/2005.  The Association has been able to keep all affiliation fees at the same level as last year.

Welfare Fund
At the end of the 2003/2004 financial year, the Welfare Fund has paid out grants totalling $25,409 to firefighters or their families experiencing financial difficulties.  Brigades should continue to be aware of the operations of the Welfare Fund and keep in mind its role of assisting urban volunteer firefighters or their families in times of financial hardship.
Brigades are advised that free financial planning advice is available through the CFA, if required by any volunteer member.

Volunteer Discipline Policy
The Association has provided input to the development of a CFA Volunteer Discipline Policy.  This policy has taken several years to develop and will be submitted to the July meeting of the CFA Board.  The policy will provide guidance to volunteers and CFA personnel on volunteer discipline issues and how they are to be addressed.

General / Industrial Rescue
In January, the Association raised an issue with the CFA in regard to apparent confusion when agencies were being responded to general or industrial rescues.  The CFA has advised that there appears to be differing dispatch rules between the CAD Centres at VicFire and VPC (Victoria Police) which could result in two agencies being responded to the same incident.  The CFA has indicated that it will continue to pursue this issue.  The Association has stressed the need for early resolution of the issue and for consistent dispatch rules for both Centres.

Joint Committees and Working Parties
In addition to the 6 permanent CFA/Association Joint Committees, the Association is currently providing input into the following projects/programs:
– Mapping
– CFA Act Review
– CO Standing Orders Review
– Appliance Design
– Community Safety Emergency Support Program
– Emergency Alerting
– O H & S
– Falls from Heights Legislation
– Youth Programs
– Workplace English Learning & Literacy
– Private Equipment on the Fireground
– Country Call Taking
– Donations Trust Fund
– Gas Suits
– Structural Ensemble

History of the Association
Ex Captain Maurie Johnson is compiling information on the history of the Association.  Unfortunately one of the Association's Minute Books is missing.  This book is for the period from 1910 to 1923.  If any brigade or member is aware of the whereabouts of this Minute Book, the Association would be pleased to hear from them.

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

•  Common dispatch rules for both CAD centres;
•  Strategic planning concerns;
•  Level 3 Structural firefighters boots;
•  Stowage/supply of equipment and quality of operational manuals issued with new vehicles;
•  1,500 litre tankers;
•  Positioning and FGP’s of underfly ladders;
•  Level 2 Firefighter Training Program;
•  Availability of uniforms to urban brigades;
•  Certificates for Firefighter qualifications;
•  Competition items: cover for the Grandstand, sun protection for judges caravan on Marshall Track, National Fire Brigade Championships, electric timing for Junior competitions.

•  Discipline Policy and Procedures;
•  Delay in Volunteer Compensation payments;
•  Processing of National Medal applications;
•  CFA Regulation 31;
•  Difficulties experienced with introduction of new FEM software;
•  Roles and duties of B.A.S.O.’s;
•  Security arrangements at Eltham Fire Station;
•  National Fire Brigade Championships;
•  Retention and replacement of urban uniforms;
•  Helmet identification system;
•  Correct fitting of protective clothing for female firefighters;
•  Response of rescue units to general or industrial rescues or incidents;
•  Recognition of Auxiliary service as CFA service;
•  Manning of watchroom at Morwell;
•  Location of Wangaratta brigade's OIC;
•  Maintenance/replacement of pagers;
•  Suitability of clothing for wearing under CFA turnout clothing;
•  Training & Development Consultative Committee;
•  Design, construction and quality assurance issues in relation to new fire stations;
•  Cancellation of Craigieburn Youth Crew attendance at SETG;
•  Privacy statement included on new Parental Consent forms;
•  Introduction of Country CAD at Ballarat and Shepparton.

•  Discipline Policy for Volunteers; 
•  CFA Awards Review and Urban Long Service Medal;
•  TFB district boundaries;
•  Water Quality for Firefighting;
•  New generation Pumper Tankers;
•  Review of Operations Checklists;
•  CFA Act including recognition of Auxiliary members; 
•  Policy for the Duty of Care to 16 and 17 year old CFA members;
•  Review of AFSM and ESM medal criteria.

A Working Group, which includes Competition & Rules Committee members and the Chief Officer, has been formed to improve aspects of the Championships including the Torchlight Procession, Discipline Contest and Opening Ceremony.  Issues to be reviewed will include:  the length of time take to conduct the Discipline Contest, the borrowing of marches/Commander and the safety of the ladder events.

2004 Coaches School
The Association will conduct a Coaches School for Coaches of Senior Teams on the 9th & 10th October 2004.  Nomination forms have been forwarded to all brigades, with a closing date of 25th August 2004. 
With greater emphasis being placed on the safety of competitions and some thoughts of compulsory accreditation of coaches, the Association requests all coaches of Senior teams attend. 
There will also be three Schools conducted for Coaches of Junior teams at different locations around the State. 
 

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