Outcomes of District AAR (After Action Review)
Post fire season presents an opportunity to reflect on brigade health, and the provision of our support to the community over the previous months. The 2014-15 fire season kicked off with significant activity in early December requiring extended commitment from our members at fires in District 2 and neighbouring districts. Respite came to some parts of the district in mid-January with rainfall providing a break to what was shaping up to be a significant and prolonged fire season.
Over the past six weeks post fire season After Action Reviews (AARs) were conducted at brigade, group, district, and region level to capture the lessons learnt over the summer season. Feedback from these reviews has been captured and framed into common themes to focus our future planning leading into the 2015-2016 summer season. Through the AAR process the following points were highlighted, and in some cases reaffirmed:
- The use of local command facilities (LCFs) is integral to support local command and control. Incidents should be managed at the most appropriate level and escalated based on the predicted risk associated with an incident.
- Groups play a key role in supporting the management of fires. Groups should focus building capability to enhance their support to the fireground and the management of fires. This may include the transition of functional roles to an LCF.
- Consideration to the management and rehabilitation of control lines must be prioritised and incorporated in incident action plans. Our focus should be on supporting the community through all aspects of emergencies, including post incident recovery.
- Ensure lessons learned throughout the fire season are communicated and reflected in our future management of incidents.
- Our capability is challenged in regards to filling key IMT roles in addition to LCF, and fireground management roles on days of heightened readiness. Consideration must be given to ensuring our readiness reflects risk and targeted at the most appropriate level.
- Access to, and an understanding of, communications, technology, and information systems enhance decision making, and should not be hindered by agency affiliations. Full adoption and access to common IT platforms supporting an all-hazards, all-agencies approach is critical to joint operations.
- A continual focus on joint training and enhancing local relationships is integral in ensuring the seamless management of emergencies.
The AARs process is not confined to the summer fire season. Please ensure any relevant information is captured by accessing the Observation Sharing Centre via Brigades Online, or by the following the hyperlink Observation Sharing Centre. For further support in regards to the Observation Sharing Centre please contact a member of your catchment management team.
District 2 Planning Committee (DPC) update
Your DPC comprises key volunteer leaders from within our brigades, their charter being to contribute to the leadership, direction and management of the district.
The planning committee has been actively working over the previous twelve months to reshape their focus toward understanding and identifying where we need our district to be, and ensuring every member’s actions contribute towards our end goal. This has involved developing and aligning our District Service Delivery Plan to support the strategic priorities of the CFA strategy 2013-2018.
A snap shot of some of the initiatives developed by the DPC, and contained within the District 2 Service Delivery Plan include:
- Developing a clear understanding of our vehicle and equipment priorities, taking into account the changing risk within our communities
- Conducting a review of the infrastructure in place throughout the district to ensure we are well positioned to support our field personnel in operations
- Informing the district budget to identify priorities that support our district approach to service delivery
- Strengthen the profile of CFA within district 2 communities
- Gain a broader understanding of community risk, and the contribution communities provide in managing this risk
- The development of brigade recruitment plans that empower brigades to manage their recruitment
- The identification and development of a means to share information among our membership (District 2 News).
- To ensure all our members are aware of, and understand these initiatives, and that their actions support the success of the Service Delivery Plan.
If you would like to contribute to the current and future management of the district please contact your group DPC delegate.
District 2 welcomes Operations Officer Andy Waterson
Operations Officer Andy Waterson will be joining the District 2 team as the catchment officer for the Macedon Ranges in coming weeks. Andy brings a wealth of skills and experience to the district through his vast exposure to various aspects of CFA, most recently as the OIC of Springvale fire station, and through his leadership role in the state driving program. Andy is a local to the North West Region, with a long history of volunteerism and strong family ties to CFA.
Please join me in welcoming Andy to the team when he takes up his new position in coming weeks.
Regards
Steve Smith
District 2 Operations Manager
Author: District 2 News