Hi everyone

Whilst CFA people are considered essential under Melbourne’s current Stage 4 coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions, both volunteers and staff are required to carry CFA photo identification when travelling to and from a work location or station within this boundary.

You can read our previous advice here 

We know that a number of volunteers in particular don’t carry CFA photo ID.

Whilst our ID card supplier has increased their capacity to support our demand, there is currently a waiting period of approximately two weeks for delivery of the physical ID cards. 

Volunteers who are waiting for their physical ID, can use an interim digital CFA ID.

Victoria Police has agreed that the use of a digital ID together with a CFA pager is suitable as proof of essential activity for CFA volunteers until their physical ID card arrives.

If you don’t have a CFA photo ID, you will need to follow the process on Members Online to apply for your card. Request an ID card 

Once you complete this process, your application will be sent to your brigade captain or secretary for approval. Let them know that your application is coming to ensure it gets processed in good time.

Once your ID is approved you will see the digital version of your ID in your profile on Members Online, for example:  

You can screen shot or take a picture of the ID and keep it on your phone to show to police if required during operational response. It is vital you also carry your CFA pager.

Responding to Health, Aged, Residential Care Facilities, and Quarantine Hotels

Guidance Note 15: Responses to Health, Aged, Residential Care Facilities, and Quarantine Hotels has been updated with new direction to members responding to facilities with unknown and known cases of COVID-19 to reduce the risk of transmission between responders and residents.

Read Guidance Note 15 Responses to Health, Aged, Residential Care Facilities, and Quarantine Hotels V2 12082020  

Brigades that regularly respond to Corrections Victoria (CV) facilities should note CV’s processes for dealing with potential COVID-19 infection cases and the isolation of persons entering the prison system.

The Corrections Victoria website is updated daily with the number of cases in each of its prison facilities. Note that ESTA no longer provides information on potential COVID-19 cases or breaches of Chief Health Officer's Direction as part of their pager messages to brigades for fires/incidents.

Operations in the COVID-19 environment

Due to restrictions across Victoria, all brigades should be only attending their stations as part of operational response to an incident. All guidance should be followed to protect members’ health and safety when turning out to incidents.

Note that gathering at your station including the washing of trucks, non-essential maintenance and face-to-face training is not permitted under the current Stage 3 and 4 COVID-19 restrictions.

Guidance Note 12 Maximum Crewing of CFA Appliances and Transport Vehicles– Including Vehicle Checks and Service Run Requirements V2 22042020 outlines the requirements for appliance mechanical checks and services runs.

We are currently preparing advice to enable brigades to complete compliance training for the pre-season and will provide more information as soon as possible. 

CFA face masks

All CFA members, both staff and volunteers, must wear a CFA-issued face mask when undertaking any CFA activity to protect their health and the health of others. Read the Chief Officer’s Direction

Personal cloth masks are not to be worn as part of your work with CFA as these may not meet the Department of Health and Human Services' required standard for masks.

Replacement mask stocks should be ordered via your District Office.

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Visit Members Online to access coronavirus Guidance Notes, Work Instructions and supporting materials. For up-to-date information about current restrictions and advice visit the Department of Health and Human Services website.

We will provide you with further updates as information changes.

Please take care of yourself and each other at this time - and remember that our Wellbeing Support Line is available to you and your family 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Stay safe

Peter

Peter O’Keefe
Pandemic Management Team Lead