CFSVA would like to wish all CFS volunteers, staff, and families a
safe Christmas and roll in 2021
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This CFSVA newsletter includes:
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An intense 2019/2020 bushfire season closely followed by COVID-19 has undoubtedly put everyone to the test. The COVID-19 lockdown and restrictions enacted throughout the year have been challenging for everyone, but especially for CFS volunteers, who have continued to maintain your commitment to the community whilst remaining conscious of their own circumstances and potential risk COVID-19 presents to first responders. At times restrictions have been severe, however, yet again CFS volunteers and staff have stood tall and continuously delivered on your commitment to South Australian communities.
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CFSVA Welcomes Minister Tarzia In early August 2020, the CFSVA welcomed the appointment of Minister Vincent Tarzia as Minister for Emergency Services. Minister Tarzia and his staff have met with the CFSVA on several occasions and has shown keen interest in progressing the emergency services and set aside some of the unproductive barriers set in place by the previous Minister. |
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Review into the 2019/2020 South Australian Bushfire Season (Keelty Review) The Keelty Review put forward a total of 68 findings and 15 recommendations, and therefore the South Australian Government has committed $97.5 million to address some of the Keelty recommendations. |
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Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) The need for the fitment of AVL to CFS vehicles has been a consistent recommendation stemming from inquests, audits and reviews of all major South Australian fires since 2009, including Wangary (2005), Sampson Flat (2015) and Pinery (2015). Finally, the significance of of AVL to the safety of CFS volunteers has been recognised with a $5 million budget allocation made to rollout this vital equipment to CFS brigades. The project is being managed through SAFECOM with David Phillips appointed by the CFSVA to represent the association on the AVL working group. |
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Additional Regional Staff for CFS The CFSVA has strongly lobbied for the engagement of frontline regional volunteer support staff to support brigades with recruitment and retention matters as well as provide support with the ever-increasing paperwork and other imposts placed on volunteers. The CFSVA welcomes the funding for 9 additional staff for CFS and hopes that the additional regional staff will provide much needed support services to volunteers. |
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Independent Chair for SAFECOM Board
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The CFSVA stated in its "building a Strong CFS - 2014 and beyond" “The CFSVA understands and supports the structure of the SAFECOM Board, but questions whether the presiding member should not be an independently appointed person as opposed to the ministerially appointed Chief Executive Officer. The CFSVA raises the issue of transparency and the potential for conflict of interest which could place the presiding officer in a difficult and invidious position. |
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Sectory Advisory Committee (SAC) and COAC (Cheif Officer's Advisory Council)
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The CFS Volunteer Charter, after continuous lobbying by the CFSVA, is now enshrined into legislation. Work to formalise the Charter into a document which clearly articulate the obligations of all parties has stalled as the CFSVA is not satisfied with the ‘wording’ provided by the Crown Solicitor, which the association does not believe is in keeping with the spirit of the legislation, and in fact subrogates Government’s responsibility to consult. The SESVA shares the CFSVA views, so work on the Charter will continue until a mutually agreeable outcome can be achieved. This means that at times the CFSVA must remind Government of their obligations to consult with CFS volunteers.
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New Emergency Services Headquarters Construction of the new Emergency Services HQ is progressing well. Click Here for full report |
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Council of Australian Volunteer Fire Associations (CAVFA) An important part of the CFSVA’s work is also to represent CFS volunteers nationally through CAVFA, our national body which collectively represents over 250,000 volunteer firefighters nationwide. CAVFA also provides a national benchmark for the CFSVA and it is rewarding to note that the CFSVA measures up extremely well when compared to our interstate counterparts, and whilst we are not the largest organisation, nor the best funded we carry considerable achievements and influence when it matters. Andy Wood is the current Chair of CAVFA, whilst Sonia St Alban represents CAVFA on the AFAC Volunteer Technical Management Group (VTMG) and enables the CFSVA to influence the national agenda. The CFSVA, through its representatives of Andy Wood, Sonia St Alban and David Lindner is highly respected nationally for its work and the outcomes achieved on behalf of our volunteers. |
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COVID-19 restrictions also curtailed some of the association’s plans to travel around the state to catch up with brigades, groups and individuals, however in the new year the association hopes to launch Project Re-Connect, which will see the association travel to locations around the state to engage with CFS volunteers and carry the simple message “Are you ok”. Arrangements to facilitate this project and lock in dates will done in conjunction CFSVA Branches and Branch Presidents. |
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CFSVA Other News and Information
CFSVA also have watches available for purchase. $169 each. CFS Volunteer National Park Unique Codes 2020/2021 now available We again thank the Department for Environment and Water (DEW) for this program.
Current AFAC Standards Watch newsletter Click Here
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