Monaro RFS

Our chainsaw instructors got together for a workshop on Saturday 28th of August as part of an initiative to streamline the delivery of our chainsaw courses. This workshop was an opportunity for our instructors to demonstrate and discuss the various techniques of chainsaw training delivery, debate some contentious issues and develop our operational capability when conducting machinery assisted falling operations.

Chainsaw Instructors

We had a great roll up (12 participants) at this workshop and all three of our districts were represented by chainsaw instructors.

The Village Firefighter course that was held in Cooma and at Sunny Corner on the 19th to 22nd of August 2010 was a great success. The participants were all keen and they displayed a good understanding of the principles that make village scenario decisions more appropriate given a wide range of variables.

The last Bush Firefighter (BF) course was run a little differently. We decided to provide a Safety Induction (SI) training event on the 26th July, a little over one week prior to commencing the BF course.

By separating the SI from the BF course we were able to cater to those who had previously completed the SI and provide the additional training to those who needed it. We also gained approximately 2 1/2hrs of valuable training time so that we could do more of the "hands on" training over the week-end.

There has been a number of small changes to the membership forms over recent times and there is another change pending. This most recent change has not yet been fully completed and there are some interim steps in the membership process at this time.

Please Note:

This information is provided to help keep our brigade members informed of the recent changes to the membership process. Please don't be too concerned about the changes because the Monaro Team staff will help you navigate through the membership process.

We have added all of the most recent forms as downloads on this web site.

CrimTrac

The Rural Fire Service uses CrimTrac to undertake membership "criminal record checks" as part of the membership process.

You can learn more about CrimTrac by visiting http://www.crimtrac.gov.au/about_us/index.html

CrimTrac has recently changed their requirements for conducting criminal record checks.

Changes to the Membership Process

Because of the CrimTrac changes, the RFS requires a one page addendum to the existing membership form. This single page "Additional Applicant Data" form must now be completed and returned to the Membership Coordination Unit (MCU) as an interim measure pending finalisation of a new set of membership forms. This includes new, rejoin, dual, transferring and junior to ordinary members.

The additional personal information requested on the one page addendum will allow CrimTrac to better identify each applicant and avoid potential errors in matching. As MCU has access to the system, this should allow the RFS to receive application results more quickly.