CFA training stuff-up has volunteers handing back skill certificates

At least 2000 active CFA volunteers have been told to return their national certificates of attainment to operate pumps.

The certificates are given to employers by volunteers as evidence of a nationally recognised qualification. Picture: Zoe Phillips

A STUFF-UP in CFA training has meant at least 2000 active volunteers have been told to return their national certificates of attainment to operate pumps.

The training failure comes in the wake of the Andrews Government fire services carve up that has favoured United Firefighters Union career firefighters and left volunteers on the sidelines.

“This was a result of CFA incorrectly mapping the (pump) unit,” CFA deputy chief officer of training Gregg Paterson wrote in a proforma letter to volunteers this month.

He then directed volunteers to “return your certificate to your captain or directly to CFA in the reply-paid envelope”.

“I wish to offer you a sincere apology about this administrative error and reassure you this does not impact your operational status or ability to turn out”.

However, as one North East Victoria CFA captain pointed out, the certificates are invaluable to volunteers as a nationally recognised qualification they can show employers.

“It goes right back to when minimum skills came in about 20 years ago and a lot of people were jumping up and down asking for national recognition,” the volunteer captain said.

“I have a list of 40 names (brigade members) who have to fill out the letter from the CFA.”

CFA sources say an estimated 2000 volunteers received letters demanding they return their certificates or re-sit the test to gain national recognition of their pumping skills.

Deputy chief Paterson’s letter states: “if you wish to regain your national competency and your certificate you can nominate for enrolment in the Recognition of Prior Learning process”.

The stuff-up follows two years of chaos within the CFA after the Andrews Government stripped it of 38 stations, 171 support and more than 1300 operational staff, who were transferred to the new union-controlled Fire Rescue Victoria service.

CFA volunteers have since discovered:

THE Andrews Government assurances that the CFA would be a “volunteer-only” service was a myth, as career staff transferred to FRV have been seconded back again to work as CFA commanders, assistant chief fire officers, community safety officers, as well as instructors and supervisors, who are under the control of the United Firefighters Union.

THE CFA must source all operational staff from FRV, who must meet registration standards set by a committee of four, including two UFU members, an academic and a ministerial appointee.

THE CFAchief must gain UFU approval before making any changes that affect FRV-seconded staff, such as location of work, shifts and the times at which training can be offered to volunteers.

A COST blowout to $1.25 billion in running the carved-up fire services means there’s little in the kitty for volunteer resourcing, leaving volunteers with the oldest firefighting fleet of trucks in Australia.

MANY volunteers, who were meant to co-locate at 34 former CFA stations with FRV career firefighters found themselves locked out of large sections of their stations.

CFA brigades were forced to remove commemorative names of volunteers from trucks transfer to FRV.

Mr Paterson has announced he will retire on July 2, while his second in charge and CFA executive manager of training delivery and performance Colin Oliver has resigned.

A CFA spokeswoman told The Weekly Times “the retirement & resignation of these staff members is not related to matters you have inquired about”.

“DCO Paterson has chosen to transition to retirement this year after more than 40 years of loyal service with CFA, both as a staff member and volunteer,” the spokeswoman said.

“He will be assisting with the effective transition to new leadership of CFA’s Training Directorate, enabling CFA to draw on his extensive experience and knowledge.

“Mr Oliver has advised CFA of his resignation for personal reasons.”