Board takes closer look at CFA Training Campus – Central Highlands
CFA board members have seen first-hand how upgrades at CFA Training Campus – Central Highlands are helping strengthen training opportunities for members.
The board held its September meeting at the campus before touring the facilities to take in new training props, including the Safe Work at Heights prop, driving simulator and upgrades to the driver training track.
The new props will provide members with additional opportunities to practise their skills in controlled environments.
“The Safe Work at Heights prop is wonderful. The fact that it’s undercover means that it’s an all-weather prop. It can be used at any time without impacting courses.” Board member, Peter Shaw AFSM, said.
The upgrades to driver training also drew praise, with Board member, Ross Coyle AFSM, recognising the value of exposing members to realistic driving scenarios in a safe training environment.
“What I find impressive is the way that we can now use facilities like the upgraded driving facilities at Central Highlands to prepare our drivers for the conditions that they might face in the real world.”
“Both in the upgraded 4x4 driving track and the driving simulator provide valuable learning opportunities. The simulator is quite extraordinary in the way it can be tailored to suit so many different situations and environments.” Ross said
The visit reinforced the important role training campuses play in preparing members for the range of incidents they respond to across Victoria.
“The only way that we can prepare for the sort of incidents we respond to is to train in simulated activities.”
“Whether it’s virtual reality or practical scenarios, we need training campuses like this to be able to do that.” Ross said.
The visit gave board members a closer look at the ongoing work to strengthen CFA’s training capability.