The trial of a hybrid training course has boosted Forest Fire Management Victoria’s (FFMVic) capacity to reduce bushfire risk through planned burning.
The pilot Level 2 Planned Burn Operations Officer (PBOO) course, created by Safer Together and FFMVic’s Workforce Development Unit, is linked to national standards of ‘Conduct complex prescribed burns’ and ‘Develop complex prescribed burns plans’.
Josh Hopwood, Team Leader, Learning and Development said the course combined online and face-to-face learning.
‘We looked at thecurrent course which is run totally face-to-face over 5 days and ways we could improve its delivery,’ Josh said.
‘The blended format delivered a very positive outcome with 48 participants from FFMVic and CFA signing up.’
PBOOs help plan, prepare, and deliver planned burns to achieve burn objectives.
The course, part of the Safer Together program, includes 11 eLearning modules and a 2-day face-to-face course delivered by a dedicated trainer and assessors from CFA and FFMVic.
During the 2 days of face-to-face training, students were able to use the knowledge gained from the online sessions in classroom discussions and activities such as the planning process and risk management, and field exercises such as fuel hazard and fuel load assessments.
Josh said 6 dedicated trainers and assessors across the state had allowed FFMVic to deliver training during summer.
‘The traditional training method for PBOOs only occurred when external trainers and assessors were available,’ Josh said.
‘The last training occurred 4 years ago for just this reason.
‘By having our own trainers and assessors within FFMVic’s Workforce Development Unit and with the support of our Regions, we had control of when we could deliver the training.
‘Also, the trainer and assessors were able to conduct an after-action review of the course and the future direction it should take.
‘This will ensure the course delivers the outcomes we need.’
Following the training, the new PBOOs will plan and deliver 2 planned burns under the guidance of a mentor before their final assessment and accreditation. Their accreditation will last 5 years.
Josh said the blended learning model had allowed more crew to participate than the existing course had.
‘It is important our training is available to everyone wanting to advance their career,’ Josh said.
‘We had one female participant whose commitments to her young family stopped her being able to complete the training previously,’ Josh said.
‘Because the course had both online and in-person components and she only needed to be away from her family for 2 nights, she was able to participate.
‘Had the course been 5 days she wouldn’t have been able to participate.
‘It is important the courses we design are available for as many of our crew as possible.’
A positive outcome of the trail is FFMVic and the CFA now have 237 trained PBOOs, an increase of 25% which will increase both organisations’ capacity to reduce bushfire risk through planned burning this autumn.
‘After the successful completion of the trial, we are hoping to run the course on a regular basis going forward,’ Josh said.
