In a District 16 Health and Safety Committee meeting in February 2016, there was a discussion about communicating with private vehicles on the fireground.
Westmere Group has more than 400 private vehicles, and a large number of those are ex-CFA tankers. It’s one of the largest groups in the state, with 19 brigades looking after more than 1,000,000 acres of farmland in western Victoria.
The Westmere Group representative suggested to the committee that because of the recent introduction of aircraft assigned to pre-determined dispatch in West Region, placing aerial identification stickers on private vehicles would help aircraft identify them in District 16.
The Health and Safety Committee unanimously agreed it was a great idea and a motion was raised to take the idea to the district planning committee (DPC) for endorsement. The DPC and Operations Manager Bernie Fradd supported the idea, and soon after Chief Officer Steve Warrington agreed to a trial in District 16.
The trial consists of 100 private vehicles in Westmere Group. A working group was established to set minimum standards for vehicles participating in the trial, such as the capability to carry at least 2,000 litres, a CFA-compatible UHF radio, it must be roadworthy, and owners must submit their vehicle for an annual inspection. Stickers were ordered and placed on the vehicles.
There’s also a database that lists the vehicle type, the owners’ contact details, their aerial ID number, and the location they’re attached to.
Congratulations to District 16 staff and volunteers who put in a lot of effort over and above their everyday work to get the trial up and running.
A review of the trial will be carried out after the fire season.