It also confirms why I have the greatest respect for our Chief Officer and those who have had the honour to lead this organisation in the past.
I’d be having a conversation with a volunteer brigade member at a forum or with a career officer at a planning workshop, and the next moment I’d be providing high-level strategic advice to government and stakeholders about some aspect of CFA. For example, I attended a senior volunteer firefighter alumni dinner in District 24 and some activities with our newest recruit firefighters in training at VEMTC Craigieburn. I laid a wreath at the Shrine of Remembrance to recognise our Indigenous soldiers’ remembrance day, and I was State Response Controller for a roster rotation.
In a fortuitous series of events and timing, I had the opportunity to return to where I began my volunteer service with CFA - the Edi Fire Brigade in north-east Victoria - to open the new station. I had the pleasure to present service awards to many people I grew up with and it was a particularly proud moment to present awards to my mother, father and three younger brothers in that group of people, with my dad being a member for 60 years, 22 of those as Captain.
The members of Edi brigade, who have always been driven by a strong sense of protecting their community, supporting and mentoring each other, have undoubtedly helped shape the way I think, make decisions and connect with people. As a leader in CFA, where our people are so critical to our success, this couldn’t be more important.
The Chief Officer role presents a wide spectrum of responsibilities and experiences. I was fortunate to talk and listen to many of our people and, from that - as best I could - get a balanced view of how we’re travelling. That’s not always easy to do in a place like CFA where every person and brigade is slightly different and have varying opinions. It can be an ongoing challenge for us all to not get caught up in the stories or various circles of activity that happen, and risk taking our focus away from the main game.
It’s the time of year where we need to maintain the message for our community that fire safety is a year-round activity that shifts into the home during winter. We launched our winter fire campaign this week.
Add to that a predicted dry winter which has the potential to lead us into an early bush fire season. On the back of last summer’s extended season, this means we need to start our preparation early. Between now and summer it can be easy to get distracted, but let’s keep to our main game - that is, being ready and looking after our people.
This past few weeks has only reinforced to me that CFA’s leaders are out there everywhere, operating at every level, and that our greatest strength is our people exercising their leadership by keeping everyone focused on protecting lives and property.