Download Issue 23 > > | Issue #23 February 2012

Whilst it has been pleasing to see an increase of close to 5% in funding in the RFS budget for FY11/12, it has also been somewhat disappointing to ‘feel’ the impact of some one-off changes and initiatives, including the provision of 5500 automated external defibrillators to NSW RFS volunteer brigades and offices across the state; and the need to comply with IPART requirements relating to the GRN (Government Radio Network), being part of the funding commitments of the former Government.

These decisions ultimately have meant less monies are available for necessities for rural fire brigades, like tankers and stations.

Your Association has discussed the impact of these decisions with the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Michael Gallacher and has impressed upon him the importance of the continued provision of vital infrastructure and equipment to brigades and your Association will continue to make on-going representations to Government so the need for these items is understood and heard clearly.

It is hoped, the decrease in funds available for these purposes in this financial year, will be rectified in the budget provision for the RFS in FY 12/13.
 

With regards to future funding of the RFS, Minister Gallacher advised at a NSW Parliamentary Committee, the Government’s intent to undertake a review of all options available to provide service funding.
 

The RFSA documented in our State Election Policy 2011, ‘Building a Rural Fire Service for 2030’, submitted to the Government and Opposition parties, the need to understand funding of the service across all levels, so it is rewarding to see a review being undertaken. It is anticipated discussion papers resulting from the funding review will be available for public comment in March 2012.

Welcome to 2012 and what will be an exciting year for the RFSA.

With a view to the RFS funding review being undertaken by the State Government (see page 1), and recommendations outlined in 'Building a Rural Fire Service for 2030', theAssociation has engaged Deloitte to undertake an analysis of the dollar value contribution made across many facetsof the community to the RFS. These include, but are not limited to:

* Contributions to the Rural Fire

* Direct discretionary funding support by local Councils;

* Indirect support from contributions by the community to local RFBs across the State.

The Association believes it is vital to understand all elements of this input in order to consider the development of any alternative funding models for the RFS.

I am pleased to announce due to the continued growth of your Association, it has been deemed necessary in order to comply with Department of Fair Trading regulations relating to incorporated associations, we need to establish a company limited by guarantee to act as a service company.

Your Association's State Council agreed in principle in November 2011 to proceed with this structure and it was a great start to the new year, to convene the majority of delegates at an extraordinary meeting in mid-January, to agree to the formation of a company that will be known as NSW RFSA.

NSW RSFA will operate alongside the existing association - NSW Rural FireService Association Inc. It will trade from 1 April, 2012 and governance will be the responsibility of the State Council of the existing incorporated Association.

As always, if there's any issue you want to raise with me please feel free to contact me on my email brian.mckinlay@rfsa.org.au

Brian McKinlay, AFSM. 

The RFSA extends congratulations to the following members who received the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) as part of the Australia Day Honours 2012 Honours:

Jeffrey Bower, Rainbow Flat Brigade, Greater Taree District ;

Russell Deaves, Wyee Brigade, Lake Macquarie District;

Paul Gleeson, Shoalhaven HQ Brigade, Shoalhaven District;

Chris Powell, Wamboin/Palerang Brigade, Palerang District; and

Bruce Walton, Baulkham Hills FCC, Hill District.

The ‘starter’s gun’ for 2012 has been fired and we are ‘off and running’ here at the RFSA . 

January 1 marked the implementation of a new organisational structure and projects areunderway and plans are being made.

Trevor Anderson, Deputy General Manager is involved in the Deloitte funding review project.

Jan Ljubojevic, Executive and Events Coordinator is well into preparation to launch the 2012 Grants Scheme and has already organised the first State Council and Board Meeting for the year.

Graham Northey, our Retail and Logistics Officer, has been busy organising the shop and is planning for the mobile shop to be at Glen Innes for the Region North exercises from March 16-18 and the Region East exercises at Appin from 31 March -1 April. If you’re after some new gear and equipment and can make it, Graham would love to meet you and help you with your shopping list.

Victoria Hood is applying her skills to our membership services and the always chirpy Samantha Radburn continues in her Finance & Retail Officer role.

Melissa Humphrey, our new Communications Coordinator came on-board in early January and if you want to ‘meet’ Alma Mendoza, our Commercial Services Manager, read the story further on in the edition.

During 2012 we will continue to support you, our members, to protect the community.

We are committed to:

• Fully informing and engaging with you;

• Being widely recognised as a credible representative voice expressing and reflecting your concerns and opinions;

• Being a highly influential advocate and valued voice to the RFS, Government and national industry bodies;

• Delivering tangible benefits to you; and

• Growing a highly professional and competent organisation with a substantial and reliable financial base.

Please feel free to contact me via email bernard.cox@rfsa.org.au or call myself or any other members of the RFSA team on 02 4722 2122. 

Bernard Cox

Graham Pilson, affectionately known as Gub, is well known in his local community as the Deputy Captain of the Carcoar Rural Fire Brigade. He has been a member for over 17 years.

Over the last few months though, Graham has been gaining a following as a result of his commitment to exercise – not fire training exercise – but for training and exercising as part of the Black team on the Channel 10 program, The Biggest Loser.

RFSA Member Gub left his loved township and brigade in November last year. His Dad, Chris Pilson, also an RFSA member, confided Graham needed to do something.

"We were so worried about him and that he would have a heart attack or stroke the way he was and we are so very, very proud of him. We just knew he had it in him," Mr Pilson said.

Graham was at the Carcoar Rural Fire Brigade Station when he first learnt he was going to be on the show which was apt as one of his primary motivations for losing weight is to become a CABA accredited operator performing Offensive Structural Fire Fighting duties with the Carcoar brigade. 

To give Gub support and watch his efforts and dedication, tune into The Biggest Loser, screening Mondays to Friday 7-8pm on Channel 10 or visit the website www.thebiggestloser.com.au where you can leave a message of encouragement.

 Welcome! To over 850 New RFSA Members in Two Months.

How long have you been working at the RFSA?:

I have been here at the RFSA on a full-time basis since November 2011.

What do you like about the Association?:

I really like working with the team here in Head office and our members and their commitment.

What does a Commercial Services Manager do?:

As the Commercial Services Manager my primary focus is the financial and commercial activities of the Association. My areas of responsibility include financial management and reporting, retail, purchasing and logistics and accounts payable.

What do you want to achieve in your role in 2012?:

My aim this year is to provide value to the Association and to better serve our members.

What are three things you "can’t live without"?:

My family, travel and eating Thai food; especially dishes with a bit of chilli.

How do you typically spend your leisure time?:

I enjoy reading and also dining out with family and friends. We like to sample all sorts of cuisine.

Do you have a favourite saying? What is it and why?:

The motivation for my favourite saying came about because of the loss of one of my best friends and I remind myself to apply it everyday. It is ‘You will never find time for anything. If you want time, you must make it’.

Congratulations to Mrs Valerie Babbage from Wallsend and Mrs Kim Maguire from Coffs Harbour who were the lucky winners in raffle number 51 and 52 respectively. They are now both zipping around in their Nissan Tiidas.

President Scholarship - Open February, 2012.

RFSA Grants Scheme - Open 17 February, 2012.

For more information: www.rfsa.org.au or call Jan Ljubojevic on 02 4722 2122.