Since my last blog on changes to the Executive Leadership Team, the issue of where operational training will sit within CFA has generated some discussion and feedback from members.
As previously outlined, I have decided to join Operational Training & Volunteerism (OT&V) with People and Culture (P&C) to form a new directorate called People and Volunteerism. This move is about establishing one point of accountability for all CFA people-related activities.
Training is a specialist people-management function and is strongly aligned to other key HR functions such as career and professional development, workforce and succession planning, and performance management. For this reason, training will be the responsibility of People and Volunteerism.
There is no question that the needs and priorities of operational training should continue to be determined by the Chief Officer. However, the delivery of that training does not need to sit with the Fire & Emergency Management directorate to be successful.
This change will enable us to better connect with and manage all our people, including volunteer and career staff. At the brigade level, members will receive training according to their specific needs as agreed by the Chief Officer. We will also see a more consistent standard of training across the state, which will place CFA in the best possible position to attract, retain and develop our volunteer base.
Joining OT&V with P&C is just one of the changes under this realignment. I want to stress that we won’t be making any changes in the immediate future and I expect this process will take at least three months as we appoint our Executive Directors. In the meantime, staff will continue to work in the same offices and sit at the same desks until a transition plan is in place.
It’s important to remember that, regardless of where teams sit within our structure, we are a service delivery organisation and we all need to work together to achieve our mission of protecting lives and property.
Regards
Michael Wootten
CEO
Author: Michael Wootten