Firefighters from CFA and MFB swapped helmets today (Friday 26 June) in a symbolic gesture to mark the launch of a 12-month secondment program.
The secondment program provides the opportunity for six CFA and six MFB firefighters to take up a placement within the respective agency, where they will experience different methods, scenarios and procedures.
The members gathered at the Victorian Emergency Management Training Centre (VEMTC) Craigieburn along with agency leaders, including CFA CEO Michael Wootten and MFB CEO Jim Higgins, at an official launch to kick start the program.
CEO Michael Wootten said that emergency response agencies in Victoria were increasing adopting principles and practices that emphasised ‘working as one’.
“CFA and MFB frequently respond together to incidents. When we go into the heat of battle, that mutual understanding goes a long way to ensuring an effective response,” he said.
“We look forward to our CFA firefighters returning in one years’ time and sharing their new-found knowledge with their brigades.”
Mr Wootten said that as well as becoming familiar with different equipment and techniques, firefighters will experience different environments and scenarios the other agencies are faced with on a day-to-day basis.
“CFA firefighters will gain more experience with fires in high-rise and high-density urban environments, while MFB firefighters will be exposed to wildfires,” he said.
MFB CEO Jim Higgins said the program would deliver valuable insights for both agencies and would better equip Victorian firefighters to work together seamlessly during emergencies.
“Secondments provide an opportunity for our staff to collectively build upon their experiences, skills, and learnings,” he said.
Having completed a three-week familiarisation course at VEMTC, the 12 CFA and MFB firefighters will start at their new stations next week.
Author: CFA Media