David MacLean, A/District Officer, Training Development Support & Compliance for SES and Marine Rescue, has submitted an update for SES volunteers:

Done:
The final touches have been made on the Roof Safety System Builder course and currency. There is a bit of a “Gap” to be completed in this year’s currency training, which might add an extra hour or so, but hopefully, it is valuable time being introduced to the new techniques and equipment made available to keep our volunteers safe. The Roof Safety System Builder course now addresses anchors.

The Land Search Team Leader course is now sitting with Training Product Publication, after some polishing on “Lost Person Behaviour”, updated scenarios and reviewing the “Appreciation” element. We have also boosted the reference to AIIMS / Hierarchy of Control structures. A more efficient and relevant version of the LSTL course is anticipated to show up in eAcademy by the time this newsletter is published.
On advice from SESVA, we will not be introducing a Storm and Water Damage Operations Team Leader course.

In Progress:

SES Local Manager is being worked on to attempt to resolve the issue with links. DFES have had an issue with the links to some of our forms as well as capturing the restructuring of how we manage documents, which is still being resolved. Once that is sorted, SES Local Manager will be updated to reflect.

Reviews are underway for a few NUCOMS, following up on some IIRs that have come through.  Bushfire Fundamentals has been rolled out as an online course replacing the Bushfire Safety Awareness. That has been available for a little while. We are still creating a drill for the use of the burnover blanket to add a bit of value to the pre-High Threat Period “warm up” training.

Next:

WAERN, Advanced WAERN, Communication Field Equipment and Field Radio Operator are going to be next to feel our magic touch, bringing a bit of currency and relevance to a tired suite.

Flood Rescue Boat Operations will need an update to include reference to the new AMSA requirements. This will address updated SMS, Trainer/Assessor mandates and revising the timetable.

PATs getting formed:

While all that is going through the planning phase, we are also shaping up to review the whole SES Training Program and interested potential PAT (Project Advisory Team) members are encouraged to contact me david.maclean@dfes.wa.gov.au / 0407 445 267) for the opportunity to help build a plan that directs future training.

I expect this will involve two days of discussions, activities and coffee over a weekend. (Currently planning around 02-03 May). There is scope for bringing in one or two Regional PAT members to Metro, and we are happy to welcome others to “teams in” but they will need to supply their own coffee!