Central Highlands campus frequently asked questions

It is easily accessible for people who were previously serviced by Fiskville, particularly those in the West and North West as well as those travelling to and through Melbourne. CFA worked closely with the Moorabool Shire to select a site that would minimise the economic impact the closure of Fiskville had on the surrounding community.

The site can host up to three separate groups on the three Practical Areas for Drill (PADs) for exercises, one group on the off-road driving area, and four groups for theory at any one time.

• Realistic, potential response scenarios condition trainees for real-life emergency conditions
• State of the art training props that using the latest technology
• Flexible layout including modular theory classrooms which can be opened up and expanded into larger spaces
• Layout designed to reduce the chance of contamination from training materials, dirt, and grime being brought in from outdoors
• Gender neutral shower and changing facilities with individual, enclosed and secure cubicles
• Disability access
• State of the art water management system ensuring water used on the site meets all compliance and quality requirements
• Water efficiency system
• Meets OH&S standards
• Meets all the provisions and quality standards

The use of LPG:

• Reduces environmental impact in comparison to flammable liquids
• Allows for real life fire conditions that can be controlled and adjusted to the skill level of the trainees
• Allows PAD staff to control the fire and immediately extinguish it if required
• Leaves no residue from burning
• Is cost-effective and a readily available fuel

The site is designed for full compliance with current standards for environmental impact, emission control and water management. It is environmentally safe and has a water treatment and management systems on-site with regular testing monitoring and testing programs in place.

Process water (used in drills) is collected, treated, stored and reused on site for subsequent drills.

There are 19 individual props spread across the three PADs and an off-road driving area:

• Gas Pad - includes number of complex fires such as tanker and gas bullets
• Extinguisher Pad - includes multiple props which can be plugged into an underground gas area and ignited to provide a range of fire scenarios
• Structure Pad - includes a low structure, a multi-story building, and a commercial kitchen with scenarios such as requirement to cut through garage, flash over fire, etc
• Off-road driving area - multi four-wheel driving scenarios including cross slope, incline, water and sand crossings, moguls and rocky trail driving

Wadawurrung people are the traditional land owners.