Below is the VUFBA items contained in the combined newsletter.

Open Forum with Urban Brigades
A successful Open Forum meeting with representatives of urban brigades was held on Saturday 27th March 2004.  Those attending were given a summary of the Association's activities over the past 12 months and were able to raise issues or concerns directly with the Executive Members of the Association. 
 
Issues raised by brigades and which the Association will be following up with the CFA include:  CFA discipline procedures, maintenance/replacement of pagers; integrated brigades – voting, composition of Brigade Management Teams and First Lieutenant criteria; FEM concerns arising from the change-over of software; Youth Crew attendance cancelled at SETG; extension of Country CAD; Country CAD observation reports; new fire station design and quality control.

Several competition issues have been referred to the Association's Competition & Rules Committee.

Vacancy on CFA Board
Although he has only served on the Board of the CFA for approximately five months, the term of office for Ex Captain Michael Tudball expires on 30th June 2004.  This is due to Michael being appointed to the CFA Board for the remainder of the term of the late Rob MacLennan.

The Association supports the re-appointment of Michael Tudball to the CFA Board, however, in accordance with the terms of the CFA Act, it must submit a panel of four names to the Minister for him to select the successful applicant.  The Association has a preliminary panel of four names and is writing to all urban brigades to advise them of the forthcoming vacancy and of the opportunity for senior members of urban brigades to nominate for consideration to be included on the panel of names to be submitted to the Minister.

C.S.E.S.P.
Association representatives have participated in meetings to select the successful brigades under the CSESP and the recommended list has now been forwarded to the Department of Justice for submitting to the Minister.  Late in the process, the CFA agreed to contribute $500,000 towards tanker build-ups and this has had the effect of allowing additional brigades to be successful in their applications.  The Minister has been urged to make an early announcement of the successful brigades.

Donations to Brigades 
Recently an urban brigade did not accept a donation from a  gambling organisation as it believed such a donation was contrary to CFA policy.  This is not the case and brigades can accept donations from the gambling or alcohol industry and provide due recognition to that industry.  Brigades cannot, however, actively advertise on behalf of those industries.

Urban Uniforms
Some brigades have complained to the Association of difficulties in obtaining replacement urban uniform items or new uniforms from their Regions for eligible volunteers.

The Association has raised its concerns with the CFA Chairman and C.E.O. who have both assured the Association of their support of the urban uniform.  The C.E.O., however, did indicate his concern at the cost of the uniform and has offered to meet with the Association to discuss this issue.

Irrespective of the outcome of this meeting, the Association encourages brigades requiring urban uniforms or uniform items to approach their Regions.  If brigades are unsuccessful in their efforts they should advise the Association.

National Medals
The Association was disappointed to learn of one CFA Region having a limit of two National Medals per brigade per year, and has written to the CFA expressing its opposition to such a practice.

The Association's position is that National Medals should be awarded to all volunteers who meet the qualifying criteria and not restricted by artificial quotas. 

Items Raised with the C.F.A. on Behalf of Regional Councils etc.: 
 

•  progress with discussion paper on recruit training;
•  changes to BEST CAD business rules;
•  the new FEM software;
•  wording of Regulation 31;
•  delay in paying medical accounts for volunteer injuries;
•  roles and duties of B.A.S.O.’s;
•  wearing of safety apparel underneath turnout clothing;
• watchroom manning issues;
•  volunteer access to the proposed renovated Eltham Fire Station;
•  protective clothing to suit female firefighters;
•  suggestion for additional fireground identification;
•  National Medal criteria;
•  decentralised Human Resource Managers at Regional Offices;
•  time allocated to Wangaratta brigade activities by the OIC;
•  procedure to have Auxiliary service recognised when transferring to Brigade; 
•  overall ambulance coverage scheme  for volunteers and career firefighters;
•  review of Privacy Statement included in Parental Consent forms and membership forms;
•  vehicle operating manuals particularly in regard to pumper tanker and NSW type pumper;
•  issues raised at the 2004 Open Forum.    

C.F.A. has Responded to the Association in Respect of the Following Matters:

•  alternative to CFA wide brimmed floppy hat;
•  volunteer recruits able to attend the brigade prior to results of riminal record checks being received;
• Trunking Radio System and its continued useage;
•  provision of new medium type pumpers for State Championships;
•  testing of new CFA issued vehicles;
•  stowage of fire blankets on tankers;
•  Lumber Jacket style of uniform – positioning of medals;
•  replacement vehicle for Stawell’s damaged tanker;
•  delay involved to make safe a live wire incident at Warracknabeal;
•  awarding of rural type of Long Service Award for wearing on jumpers;
•  inspection of Ladder Stagings and Disc Poles;
•  Fiskville Arch.

Championships Items

A meeting of representatives of the Association's Competition & Rules Committee, Championships Working Party and Safety Audit Committee will be held on Saturday 8th May 2004 to review issues arising from the State Championships.  One important issue which will be discussed is the future running of ladder events and measures to improve their safety.

Elevation and Relegation
Following the 2004 State Senior Championships, the Association has approved of the following elevation and relegation of brigades for the 2005 Senior Championships:

  Relegated from A Section to B Section: 
   Drysdale, Eaglehawk & Shepparton
  Relegated from B Section to C Section: 
   Kangaroo Flat, Kerang & Seymour
  Elevated from B Section to A Section: 
   Ballarat, Maldon & Hobart
  Elevated from C Section to B Section: 
   Echuca, Mornington & Sunbury 

Whilst the above is in accordance with the accepted system of elevation and relegation, the Association will review the grading of any team when requested. 

Team of the Year
Following the 2004 State Senior Championships, the Association has nominated as the ‘Team of the Year’: 
Brendan Hawkes (Wendouree), Leigh Schintler (Bendigo), Adrian Jones (Noble Park), Steven van Hamond (Wendouree), Shane Flowers (Maryvale), Mark van Hamond (Wendouree), Craig Briody (Wendouree), Steve Rigney (Golden Square), Coach Steven van Hamond.

Peter Davis
Secretary