Posted by Peter Beaton
Monday, 04 October 2010
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http://www.cfaconnect.net.au/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=2598:&Itemid=42Victoria’s CFA volunteers have welcomed the selection of Euan Ferguson as their new Chief Fire Officer. Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria, representing the 60,000 CFA volunteers, says he is an excellent choice.
VFBV’s Andrew Ford says Euan Ferguson understands working with a volunteer-based organisation.
“Euan has plenty of experience here in Victoria, he has high level fire fighting and organisational experience, and he understands what it takes for CFA to work effectively as a volunteer-based organisation,” Mr Ford said.
“The CFA needs strong operational leadership and Euan will bring this - the volunteers want the CFA to give highest priority to ensuring they get the training and the equipment they need, to be able to get on with the job they volunteered to do,” he said.
“Euan has a reputation as a good listener and a good communicator, and we invite him to strengthen the CFA’s connections with its volunteers and make the most of their professionalism, their knowhow, their experience and their motivation to protect Victoria.”
Euan Ferguson is currently the Chief Officer of the South Australian bush firefighting organisation, the CFS, and is a former Deputy Chief Officer of Victoria’s CFA. While the CFS is predominantly a rural firefighting service, Euan’s CFA experience makes him well versed in its role of protecting more than half of suburban Melbourne and regional cities as well as country Victoria.
VFBV has also praised Acting Chief Officer Steve Warrington, who has filled the CFA’s operational leadership role over the past six months.
“Steve Warrington is a very capable senior officer and has done a good job of preparing the CFA and the communities its brigades represent, for the coming fire season,” Mr Ford said.