New Group Management Team Development Program

GMT Members from District 11

 

In a landmark initiative aimed at strengthening fire preparedness and intergroup collaboration, members of District 11’s Group Management Teams gathered last weekend for the inaugural Group Management Team (GMT) Development Program.

 

Held over two days, the program brought together group officers (GOs), deputy group officers (DGOs), and key stakeholders from catchment teams and the Volunteer Sustainability Team. The goal: to foster unified operations across the district and enhance the resilience of local fire brigades ahead of the upcoming fire season.

Program objectives

The development program is designed to:

• improve operations of the Local Command Facility (LCF)
• standardise induction processes for new GOs and DGOs
• align group practices across the district
• boost group sustainability and service delivery to brigades.

Weekend highlights

Participants engaged in a series of interactive sessions focused on:

• defining the roles and purpose of groups, GOs, and the GMT
• understanding the District Planning Committee (DPC) and the AIIMS framework
• creating personalised learning plans and strategies for mentoring others
• developing risk profiles and gaining deeper insight into their local areas.

A standout moment came on Saturday evening during a panel-style Q&A session with seasoned GOs, who collectively brought 127 years of CFA experience and more than 30 years in group leadership roles. Their insights offered invaluable guidance to newer members stepping into leadership positions.

Honouring new leaders

Commander Aaron Worcester formally presented white helmets and epaulettes to newly appointed officers:

• Jon Marshall, Group Officer – Mt Delegate Group
• David Whitlock, Deputy Group Officer – Mt Delegate Group
• Richard Johnstone and Bronnie Jonkers – Orbost Group
• Yvonne Werner, Group Secretary – Omeo Group

Those unable to attend will receive their regalia at a later date.

Final sessions and innovations

The weekend concluded with an AIIMS taster followed by a hands-on simulation exercise led by Mitch Emmett and Group Officer Rod Bayliss, followed by a tour of the Tambo Group LCF.

Group Officer Len Jeffs also introduced the newly developed Scribes Course from Mitchell Group and the innovative 'Yellow box' initiative, recently presented to the DPC.

This inaugural program marks a significant step forward in District 11’s commitment to operational excellence, leadership development, and community safety.

This program was made possible by the Victorian State Government’s Valuing Volunteers Program Grant.

 

Submitted by	Kylie Findley