RELATIONSHIP & DIVERSITY PROGRAM
This is a new program to be introduced by the CFA to provide an understanding and give some basic skills to volunteers and CFA staff on how to deal with issues or conflict in brigades and within the CFA, arising from inter personal relationships and diversity (social, ethnic, cultural).  The Associations recommended to the CFA that additional funds be sought from a State Government project to enable additional sessions to be conducted for more volunteer brigades.  This additional funding has been obtained and the Associations urge senior volunteers to attend these sessions when conducted in the Regions as issues such as these are impacting on many brigades.  Further details can be obtained from Barbara Lewis at CFA H.Q.

FEM
The CFA has proposed several changes to FEM operations and is holding a series of meetings throughout the State to outline the proposals to FEM brigades.  The Association encourages all FEM brigades to attend as the proposed changes will impact on all servicing brigades.

CHIEF OFFICER’S STANDING ORDERS &
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES – 2005
The Association has been advised that the CFA Board has endorsed the new Chief Officer’s Standing Orders and SOP’s.  CFA Regions have begun delivering introductory briefing sessions to CFA members.  If sufficient CFA members have been briefed by 1 July 2005, the new SO’s and SOP’s will become operational.  If insufficient members have received training by 1 July 2005, the documents will not become operational until such time as the CFA determines sufficient members are trained/briefed.
The new SO’s and SOP’s can be viewed on the Intranet and Brigades Online.

OPEN FORUM WITH URBAN BRIGADES
A successful Open Forum meeting with representatives of urban brigades was held on Saturday 2nd April 2005.  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 Act Review - lack of consultation and limited time frame for feedback; Proposal to reinstate position of Captain at Integrated Brigades;  Craigieburn brigade's lack of a Captain;  Shortage of senior staff at Integrated Brigades; Lack of supply of turn out gear following contamination; Key cabinets not being on alarm system; duplication of documents/statements from the Donations Fund.

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

•  re-convening of the Joint Training Committee;
•  retention of a limited number of the current structural turnout coats;
•  review of CFA Act;
•  number of BA sets supplied to brigades and recommending a standard national warning for BA incidents;
•  clarification of current Minimum Skills program;
•  presentations of National Medals;
•  support for the Advance Program (Youth Crew);
•  fitting of lap sash seat belts in appliances;
•  FEM issues;
•  policy for reinstatement of volunteers following suspension;
•  Cohuna brigade's RAR submission;
•  Deeds Recognition program;
•  draft volunteer survey form;
•  safe egress from fire stations during emergency response turnouts;
•  delays with processing criminal record checks;
•  stowage items on delivered upgraded pumper;
•  modifications to radios in brigade owned cars;
•  classification of hazard classes;
•  attendance of the CFA Corporate tent, and issues regarding the Championship’s Torchlight Procession; 
•  requesting competition activities be included in future CFA recruiting programs and advertising;
•  recommendation to modify old Type 2 Pumpers with a new back for use at competitions, skills maintenance and quick fills at large incidents;
•  issues raised at the 2005 Open Forum. 

CFA has Responded to the Association in Respect of the Following Matters:

•  standing down of brigade drivers following collisions;
•  reactivation of the Joint Training Committee;
•  termination/de-registration of non-communicative members;
•  Bushfire CRC exit survey of CFA volunteers;
•  the transfer of Youth Programs to the Human Resources Directorate;
•  withdrawal from two year trial of hydrant servicing as part of FEM contracts;
•  cost of distinctive ring tone on individual Spectrum Pre Conferencing Systems across the CFA;
•  basic laws and regulations governing camp fires in country Victoria;
•  changing of tyres on appliances on the fireground;
•  road accident rescue incident, Harrow, 19th November 2004;
•  seating arrangements in the rear of pumpers and tankers;
•  clarification of term ‘corporate information’ used in Draft CFA Websites Policy;
•  removing the current structural turnout coat from service upon issue of the new structural ensemble;
•  the suggestion by Region 13 for creation of a Fleet Manager position;
•  protection of crews on the back of Crew Cab Tankers;
•  notification by County Call Taking Centre of burn-offs; 
•  policy on Defining the Uses and Limiting the Application of the CFA Fire Star;
•  ability of officers responding to incidents to receive additional information;
•  ability for Brigade Officers to put stop messages on calls prior to an appliance being dispatched.

ELEVATION AND RELEGATION
Following the 2005 State Senior Championships, the Association has approved of the following elevation and relegation of brigades for the 2006 Senior Championships:
 Elevated from B Section to A Section: Eaglehawk, Shepparton & Tatura.
 Elevated from C Section to B Section: Colac, Corio & Pyramid Hill. 
 Relegated from A Section to B Section: Ballarat, Cohuna & Morwell.
 Relegated from B Section to C Section: Cobden, Hallam & Horsham.

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 2005 State Senior Championships, the Association has nominated as the ‘Team of the Year’: Craig Briody (Wendouree), Dallas Flowers (Maryvale), Brendan Hawkes (Wendouree), Craig Lansdown (Kooweerup), Duncan Murley (Eaglehawk), Shaun Rennie (Tatura), Andrew Waterson (Dandenong), Daniel Young (Golden Square) and Coach Rick Haughton (Eaglehawk).

P E DAVIS 
Secretary 

Web Site:   www.vicnet.net.au/~vufba/ 
E-mail:   vufba@vfbv.com.au