CFA members can now tune into regional radio dispatch traffic from anywhere in the state using a free website Broadcastify. The website allows members to stream, or download, live audio of Vicfire (ESTA) dispatching trucks to local incidents or emergencies in their district.
The website is free to access, easy to use and it will give members the same audio currently available on their scanners or listening sets. To listen to the radio feeds members can search by their location, or can find a full list of the official feeds here by scrolling down to the 'Country Fire Authority'. This gives members another way to access dispatch traffic regardless of their location – for example being able to tap into dispatch traffic as it's happening in District 4, or District 24 or over the border.
Broadcastify is used by many other emergency services around the world and is dedicated to streaming dispatch radio traffic. The website is mobile friendly, and there are a range of free and paid apps available to download on smart phones and tablets which are compatible with both Android and Apple devices. Members don't need to subscribe or sign up to listen to the feeds, however, as with any live streaming, it does require data downloads and members are reminded to check with their internet provider about their usage. A 'beep' will sound every sixty seconds to let the listener know if there is no traffic on the feed. This also helps remind listeners they are still downloading the stream even if there's no traffic.
While it's expected the site will be used largely by volunteers in regional areas, it will be accessible to the general public if they are interested in tuning in. The service is provided following a range of consultation with members and VFBV to ensure it best suits our collective needs.
The website also gives members an immediate option to listen to dispatch traffic while we put a supply contract in place for the new digital listening sets. CFA is currently reviewing the tenders for the digital listening sets, which closed last month, and will announce a decision when a supplier has been chosen.
Extension to consultation for Fire & Emergency Management restructure
Thank you to everyone who has provided comments on the restructure proposals for Fire and Emergency Management (F&EM). In light of requests received to extend the consultation, F&EM are supportive of extending the consultation until Monday 9 March. This will allow more time for us to discuss the restructure and the feedback with our members and with VFBV and unions. The unions have been advised of this timeframe extension. Should you wish to provide further feedback or you missed the original end date it's not too late. There are a range of ways that you can provide feedback - via the dedicated email accounts, responding to the survey or through your line manager. The draft proposals and draft position descriptions are available on the intranet or Brigades Online.
We are carefully analysing all the feedback received. Your feedback on our structure proposals will be used to inform the final structure. No decisions will be made on the structure without understanding the current and future relationships and linkages with other directorates' structures and functions.
Regards
Euan Ferguson AFSM
Chief Officer
"We should be as careful of our words as of our actions"
Roman philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero
Author: Euan Ferguson