Mobile Engagement Units

Eight MEU are now out in regions and available for members to use to support community engagement, recruitment or brigade fundraising activities. More information on the MEU and how to request a MEU as a resource to support your brigade activity is available on Members online.

We are finally in the build phase.

With all eight Ford Transit Vans now delivered to CFA, the project has quickly gained momentum,

The build program plan is to complete the first Mobile Engagement Unit (MEU) before commencing work on the following seven MEU. We expect this first MEU to be completed in late October and then to undergo testing before being delivered to Region in late November 2022.

The MEU is designed for conducting external presentations. Set up will be quick and easy, with both the audio visual equipment and power supply ready to go when you arrive. It has an inbuilt large screen TV that supports connection via USB, HDMI or wireless. The independent solar power supply is designed to operate all the installed equipment for several hours, with the option to also use the 240V mains power plug-in capability if available.

The exterior design is intentionally very different to our transport and operational vehicles. It is designed to standout in the crowd at large events.

All eight MEU will be regionally based. All members will have access to an MEU, with the MEU fleet to be located in multiple locations across the state. A MEU will only require a car licence to drive. Setting up requires no heavy lifting, there is no generator to set up, no cables to roll out and no leads to plug in, it is simply stop, open up, turn the switch on and then you are ready to go.

Our expectation is that all CFA Regions will have a MEU in early 2023. Bookings for a MEU will be organised through your local District Community Education Coordinator.

We are currently planning the state MEU launch event for late November.

Good news!

Our Ford Transit Vans we ordered last year have now been delivered and the modification work has commenced.

We are expecting the modification works to be uninterrupted by any component shortages with the supplier Norden successfully procuring all components prior the vehicle delivery. If production is able to be managed in line with the guidance provided by Norden, we should have our first Mobile Engagement Unit completed in November 2022.

We are planning on the state launch of the MEU program held in November.

Our aim is to have completed five MEU by December, with one MEU delivered to every Region and available for members to use in late December.

Unfortunately due to a world wide component shortage our delivery of the eight Ford Transit 340L Vans ordered as our vehicle platform has been delayed again. Ford Australia have now provided July 2022 as an estimated delivery date for these vehicles.

Positive news is the confirmation that Norden Group in Dandenong have been appointed to complete the bodywork for the MEU. Norden is a family owned company, that has been Australian owned and operated since its inception in 1959. The companies that form the Norden Group are Norden Body Works, Norden Conversion, Norden Hydraulics and Norden RV. These four highly specialised companies service industries such as: truck and trailer bodywork, wheelchair conversions for motor vehicles and associated products, industries using hydraulic equipment, lines and fittings from mining to automotive and agricultural, and recreational vehicle products. Norden Group have an established history in this field and have been the recipient of multiple VACC Industry awards.

If CFA receive the Ford Transit Vans in July. The expectation is that the first five MEU will be available for use in late Spring 2022, with each region supplied one of the first five produced.

The remaining three MEU, if vehicle delivery and production schedules are not further impacted, should be available for members to use over the summer 2022/23 fire season.

COVID related impacts have unfortunately had a significant impact on the Mobile Engagement Unit (MEU) project.

The MEU project is funded as part of the Donations Trust - Transformative Initiatives Program. The project has been funded $950 000 from this program, with the intent to deliver ten Mobile Engagement Units (MEU). Unfortunately delays and cost increases relatable to COVID now mean the project only has sufficient funding to deliver eight MEU.

The vehicle platform selected is the Ford Transit Custom 340L van. CFA have placed orders for eight of these vans, with production delays meaning an earliest estimated delivery date is February 2022. A tender process for the bodywork modifications for these eight (8) vans has now been completed. The expectation is that five MEU will be available for use in Spring 2022, with each region supplied one of the first five produced.

The remaining three MEU, if vehicle delivery and production schedules are not further impacted, should be available for members to use over the summer 2022/23 fire season. Discussion of options for how to allocate and manage these three MEU has commenced with regional representatives considering multiple suggested options.

The Working Group have recommended a preferred external design that incorporates some of the CFA traditional vehicle livery in a modern inviting design. This design has also been supported by the Project Executive, it is designed to be eye catching and tell the community about the role of the MEU is designed for.

The MEU is designed to be simple to operate and quick to set up. The design has an external facing large screen TV, compatible with all the supporting technology, placed to allow the best view for the community, connected and securely fixed in placed, to reduce any requirement to move it. A powerful audio system that will enable easier communication. All solar powered, with battery backup and a battery management system designed to recharge the batteries as you drive to the event. The design has plenty of storage space for larger items such as a marquee and smaller items like brochures.

The MEU will make any event you attend easier for you to manage and a better experience for the community.

Due to a worldwide shortage of vehicle components limiting vehicle availability. The planned 2021 roll out of the Mobile Engagement Units has been delayed.

The positive news is that after considering multiple options and our key requirements, the vehicle platform recommended for the standard Mobile Engagement Units by CFA Engineering, is the Ford Transit High roof 340L Van. We have ordered 5 of this model with Satellite Navigation, Window Tint and a tow pack included. At this stage, our expected delivery time frame for vehicles is early 2022.

We have also now closed the tender process for the vehicle modifications and will shortly be able to announce the successful supplier. With the build time advised by suppliers and with the delayed vehicle delivery, it will unfortunately be the middle of the next year before the MEU fleet is available to use.

While the delays have been frustrating, having seen the final design and the functionality that will be built into the Mobile Engagement Units, I am confident the final product will be worth the wait.

January 2021 Update

The Project Working Group after reviewing stakeholder feedback have decided that the best outcome would to build two Mobile Engagement Unit variants.

The two types being a standard design van with the functionality and technology identified by stakeholders, which we expect to build and have available for use this financial year. The second variant would be a vehicle that can be driven on normal car licence but with custom built rear section specific to our purpose, this second MEU type would provide a more visible presence and a "stage like platform" more suited to a larger event.

Currently CFA Engineering are working with potential suppliers for the standard design MEU. We would expect that the 5 of this standard design type will be delivered to Regions this financial year.

With the development of the second MEU type, the intention is to build a single prototype in late 2021, which will then be used for a regional roadshow and member consultation. Member feedback gathered on the regional roadshow will be considered before final specifications are developed and production of the remaining 4 MEU's would commence, with an expected 2022 delivery to regions.

The next task for the Working group is to determine the external look/livery.

While at the moment the project is behind schedule, it is for positive reasons., The Working Group have valued the information received from our members during consultation, ensuring the feedback provided has been included in the specifications and this has led to many beneficial changes which will improve the long term value and benefits of the MEU's once they are operational .

Example of Standard Van type MEU discussed.

Example of a custom built MEU discussed

In 2011, CFA was supplied with two Mobile Education Units as part of the Bushfires Preparedness Program in response to the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission. The MEUs were large, modified buses with extendable pods that allowed people to enter and walk through the vehicle while engaging with content and CFA personnel.

In 2018, an engineering inspection of the MEUs identified several costly issues in relation to safety and reliability and recommended they be decommissioned.

After consideration, the CFA Board approved funding of $950,000 through the Transformative Initiatives Program for a MEU project that provided flexibility to regions to engage and deliver community programs and providing a new platform for volunteer support and engagement.

In summary:

• The fully funded lease vehicles will be regionally located and managed, with 2 allocated per CFA region. The MEU lifecycle will be 5 years, with lease and annual running costs included in the project budget.

• This vehicle can be driven on a car licence, which was one of the key priorities identified in the initial consultation.

• The vehicle will have a 2 seat capacity with towbar and cargo barrier.

• It is expected that the vehicles will be available to each region by April next year, depending on vehicle availability.

• The intent of the MEU resource is that the vehicles will be available to all members for community engagement, recruitment and promotional activities.