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Words by Helen Goddard
Photos by Keith Pakenham
Victorian Premier John Brumby, together with his wife Rosemary McKenzie, has completed initial components of CFA's Minimum Skills training. The Premier had indicated his wish to undergo the training last year when he inspected the new Region and Area office in Ballarat, currently under construction.
The training, led by CFA Instructor Adrian Hem, was conducted at Fiskville. It included classroom and practical elements of the program.
During the day the Premier looked over CFA’s facilities at Fiskville, where he was accompanied by Operations Officer Paul Roughead on a tour to see firsthand how the Practical Area Drill (PAD) works and how incidents of all types are simulated. Paul also gave the participants an experience none of them will forget – being in a fully simulated house fire.
Joining the Premier and his wife in the training were Minister for Regional and Rural Development, Skills and Workforce Participation Jacinta Allan, one of the Premier's senior advisers, Yorick Piper, CFA’s Government Relations Manager Helen Goddard and new San Remo volunteer Bob Goddard. A journalist from the Sunday Herald Sun also undertook the training – an article was published on Sunday 4 January 2009.
All participants agreed that the experience was fantastic and provided them with a deeper understanding of what is required to be a CFA member.
Board Chairman Kerry Murphy turned out for the day, performing a range of routine tasks to assist in the training. Noel Hawken, Manager at Fiskville, also turned out – once he had supervised the catering and the gardening!
Premier Brumby’s Minimum Skills training will be completed over another two training sessions, when time permits.
Photos below of the Premier undergoing Minimum Skills training:
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1 comments:
This is a better article than the one produced in the Sunday edition of the SUN.
The original article implied that the Premier and his pals were able to become Volunteer Members with a one day package, causing undue stress and comment with CFA members.
My experience of long serving CFA members is made up of commitment and deication over years ,not only of active service but the endless hours of training and skills maintenance..............Well done to the Premier and his crew we all hope they have the time to become committed members of the best Fire Fighting Service in the world.
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