Successful trial of vests at planned burns

 

The Vegetation Management Program has been trialling vests worn at planned burns across Victoria to improve the safety and identification of roles on the fireground, similar to how operational roles are identified at incidents.

 

The vests are being worn by the planned burn operations officer, ignition crew leader, suppression crew leader and safety officer.

In addition, armbands will be worn by ignition crew and the first-aid officer.

The trial first started in 2019 in North East Region and West Region and since then the other three regions have used the vests.

CFA first trialled these vests at CFA burn camps to assess whether they were worthwhile. It quickly became clear the vests were highly visible across the burn area and helped provide a safer working environment.

Feedback about the vests has been sought from vegetation management staff and volunteers. Comments included that the vests were a great step forward for planned burns and improved safety. They could be easily identified in smoke and the different vest roles were distinguishable from each other.

The safety of all personnel in planned burns is paramount, and as planned burns are no different from incident firegrounds we should require a high level of safety for all. 

A new vest design has been introduced that is lighter and more comfortable. The vests will be used more widely in the 2026-27 burn season.

The initial rollout will be two sets per region, and further vests can be purchased from the supplier if required.

 

Submitted by	Ian Morrison