As we enter this second year of outcomes reporting, I am pleased to note that both CFA and FRV have published their respective Year Two Outcomes Frameworks as an action arising from the Year One Fire Services Reform Implementation Plan (Year One Plan).
Although the frameworks are complete there is still more work to do by both CFA and FRV to finalise their indicators. Both CFA and FRV have reported against their Year One Outcomes Framework for this report, as they transition to year two indicators. I look forward to CFA and FRV finalising their indicators and expect to be able to report against them, and the related outcomes, in Q2. I also expect that CFA and FRV will finalise new indicators that provide greater insight into progress to reform outcomes.
In Q1, FRV experienced a significant decline against its specialist capability staff skills indicator, predominantly due to COVID-19 related restrictions that reduced training opportunities. To address this, FRV is trialling online training for some Emergency Medical Response (EMR) training activities. Although virtual training is one approach to help alleviate the training backlog, there is a risk that FRV may not meet established training targets. I will continue to monitor this situation in future quarters.
COVID-19 related restrictions also continue to impact CFA and FRV community engagement activities. The traditional methods of face-to-face delivery were not always possible for either agency but virtual adaptions were undertaken by the CFA such as for Property Advice Visits and Community Fireguard programs. FRV delivered the Firelighting Consequence Awareness Program (Fire-Cap) and commenced planning on a virtual Fire Education Program. FRV is also establishing plans to recommence community engagement and education activities upon Victoria meeting its 90% double vaccination target. CFA and FRV’s continued adaptation to COVID-19 restrictions should help equip the community with sufficient knowledge to prepare for emergency situations.
CFA and FRV are working to improve their workplace hazard reporting processes, not yet realised in the results. CFA did not meet its hazard reporting baseline but is developing a new hazard reporting checklist to improve reporting processes. FRV has resolved most of the IT issues experienced in previous quarters and has seen improved results.
CFA did not meet its persistent target of zero injuries or death to members of the public this quarter. However, CFA has initiated a pilot study with Monash University Accident Research Centre to link CFA incident reporting system data with Ambulance Victoria injury data. This improved data should assist CFA into the future to design appropriate interventions to decrease fire-related injuries.
Finally, I note that the Year Two to Five Fire Services Reform Implementation Plan (Year Two to Five Plan) was published in November. I look forward to considering how this plan helps guide the fire services progress in delivering reform outcomes and establishing modern fire services over the coming years.
Hon. Niall Blair
Fire Services Implementation Monitor
Updated