Victorian Fire Risk Register Online
The first login for VFRR-B Online was issued at the Central Goldfields Municipal Fire Management Planning Committee (MFMPC) meeting in mid-April and a further 14 logins have been issued since.
VFRR-B Online is a mapping platform developed to support a number of enhancement opportunities identified in an external evaluation of the VFRR-B in 2012. The platform provides users with a secure website to view and edit VFRR-B data as well as allowing changes to be submitted electronically. Users are also able to generate custom maps, tables and reports using the most current VFRR-B data.
VFRR-B Online and its functions are intended for use by MFMPCs, Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committees (MEMPCs) and agency representatives engaged with input to the VFRR-B. Access is managed by CFA’s Risk Intelligence team to ensure a level of security and consistency of users with adequate knowledge of risk to edit the data. Although access is currently restricted to users involved in the VFRR-B process, there is an opportunity to issue logins for CFA brigades in the future.
VFRR-B Online training will be delivered, and logins issued, to users as part of the annual VFRR-B review for their LGA or agency. For more information on VFRR-B Online, the risk assessment or review process please contact the Risk Intelligence team. If you are not a member of a MFMPC or MEMPC and would like access to VFRR-B please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Smartphone apps
CFA and other Victorian emergency services including VICSES and Ambulance Victoria are notified and dispatched to emergencies and incidents using the Emergency Alerting System (EAS). The system is a dedicated network for these emergency services that has been rigorously tested and has proven to be a reliable and efficient method for alerting emergency services.
The Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA), which manages EAS on behalf of the emergency services, also has contingency systems and processes in place should the network experience failures or issues.
ESTA and the emergency services and management agencies do not endorse alternative systems outside of EAS because they cannot guarantee their reliability.
Outside of dispatching, emergency services do recognise that smartphone apps have features and capabilities that appeal to personnel. Ways to enhance current systems and technology will be looked into as part of the development of the Long Term Communications Plan for the emergency services sector.
If CFA or any of the emergency services were to consider a new system or way of operating, this would be subject to a competitive and exhaustive tender process as per government procurement standards.
Where members or brigades choose to use smartphone-based turnout systems, these should be seen as secondary systems, recognising that they may not always meet emergency service standards.
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, become more, you are a leader.” John Quincy Adams
Author: Euan Ferguson