VFBV

On 8 June, 949 Australian’s were recognised in the 2026 Kings Birthday’s Honours List, among them were 4 CFA members who were recognised with an Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) for their distinguished service as a member of an Australian fire service. VFBV congratulates these members on being recognised for their contribution to CFA and the wider Victorian community.

Peter Irving AFSM – is a widely respected leader who has led volunteer response to major fire events across western Victoria with a strong emphasis on firefighter safety and community protection. A volunteer for more than 40 years, Peter has held a variety of roles in CFA including Group Officer, Lieutenant, Secretary/Treasurer, Brigade Training Officer and also as an office bearing for the VFBV District 17 Council. You can read more about Peter here.

Rodney McErvale AFSM – a CFA member for 37 years, Rodney has held a range of roles across the Raglan fire brigade and Beaufort Group. His strong connection to with his local community has led him to facilitate projects documenting the history of the 2019 Lexton fire and 2024 Bayindeen and Rocky Road fires. You can read more about Rodney here.

Fiona Macken AFSM – has been a CFA volunteer since 2008 and as a member of the Diamond Creek brigade has served as a Lieutenant as also Community Safety Coordinator as well as being a CFA Trainer and Assessor, Strike Team Leader and Driver Educator.  Alongside this, Fiona is a CFA staff member who has been overseeing the development and implementation of the Fire Medical Response Program within CFA. You can read more about Fiona here.

Jason Heffernan AFSM – CFA’s Chief Officer has been recognised for his distinguished leadership in fire and emergency management across Victoria and New South Wales for more than 20 years. His award acknowledges his leadership of CFA through significant organisational reform and his championing of a volunteer-focused culture for CFA. You can read more about Jason here.

Also recognised with an AFSM on the King’s Birthday was Aaron Kennedy from Forest Fire Management Victoria and Peter Schroder from Fire Rescue Victoria.

One of VFBV’s Board Members, Darren Wallace, was also recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours list. Darren was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to the community of Trafalgar through a range of roles including his service to CFA and VFBV.

Other current and former CFA members to be recognised with the Order of Australia Medal for service to their communities include Patricia Crosbie, Colin Gerrard, John Greenwood-Smith, Christine Oliver and Barry Sneddon.

Congratulations to the CFA members and all Australian’s recognised in the King’s Birthday honours this year.

Nominations for AFSM's

Nominations for AFSM's are accepted at any time through CFA's Honours and Awards Committee. 

The AFSM honours the distinguished service of members of fire services who make an exceptionable contribution to their communities. The AFSM recognises those whose service is above and beyond the normal zealous and faithful discharge of normal or ordinary service, either in the short or long term.

CFA volunteers are often modest and reluctant to seek out recognition for the service they have provided to their community and may not have a realistic appreciation of the impact they have had on CFA, their community, within VFBV or your Brigade or Group. They’re not in it for the honour or glory, but it’s up to each of us to ensure we take the time to say ‘thank-you’ to those people who have stepped up and help inspire us all to do better.

If you know a quiet achiever who has contributed to CFA, who goes above and beyond what could be reasonably expected of someone in a similar position, please consider nominating them for an AFSM.  

The Australian Honours system has been designed to break down artificial barriers and open the Australian Honours to all parts of our society. Any member of the community can nominate any other Australian citizen for an award.

It is also critically important we encourage nominations for groups who are typically under-represented in Australian Honours like the AFSM. In particular we are encouraging a greater gender mix.

Women in particular are under-represented in AFSM’s awarded when we consider the thousands of women within the fire services across the country. And while things are improving, much more can be done.

There are so many exceptional CFA women and men deserving to be recognised, so please consider nominating someone you feel is deserving.

A common misconception is that only those members who have decades worth of service are recognised by the Honours system. The AFSM is not a long-service award, its sole criterion is distinguished service. And while prolonged service forms part of the key criteria, ‘prolonged’ is considered by the honour and awards committee’s to be taken in context as to what is considered ‘longer than usual’ and in context of what is ‘above and beyond’ the normal or ordinary service expected. Exceptional service that is sustained over a period of time can be considered as satisfying the criteria. For example, has the members contribution been in excess of expectations for a ‘normal’ member and over what duration? The Committee will consider the nature of the service or achievement within the context of a member’s service history when weighing up the various criteria.

This is especially important for women within CFA who may have their service overlooked simply because they haven’t been a Captain or Group Officer for 30+ years. While these are important leadership roles – our service is a team environment, and everyone’s contribution is valued.

Nothing should take away from the incredible achievement decade long service is, but the Honours system is designed to recognise those that make a significant contribution, and to represent the things that our communities believe to be deserving of recognition, including from those who are perhaps trailblazers for others to follow. Think of those people who have pushed the boundaries or have been first to reach and hold leadership positions that has been inspirational to those around them. For example, think of members who have overcome additional barriers, like English not being their first language and who have toiled away to learn the language and become masterful communicators designing new innovative community safety engagements to CALD communities and serving as a role model for other community members. Who are the people you look up to? Who are the people who have really made a difference in your Brigade or Group? 

Distinguished service includes service that is above and beyond and can be short-term or prolonged. It is service that can be exemplified by; responsibility for an outstanding event that has proven to be of significant benefit to the fire service or community; development of a new system, procedure or technique that is unique and made a significant contribution to the fire service; or outstanding leadership in the encouragement and development of others, particularly youth within the fire services.

While it can seem daunting to nominate a potential recipient, some guiding principles that could assist in completing a nomination for an AFSM are:

- In what role(s) has the nominee excelled?
- How has the nominee demonstrated service worthy of recognition?
- How has the nominee’s contribution affected a particular field, locality, brigade, group or community at large?
- Over what period has the nominee made a major commitment?
- Has the nominee’s contribution been recognised elsewhere?
- What makes this person stand out from others?
- What specific examples can be provided to show how the nominee’s contribution(s) have been outstanding?

Nominations for awards are strictly confidential. The person being nominated should not be approached for information or advised of the confidential nomination at any stage of the process.

Additional Resources to Assist

Honours and Awards Toolkit

Guide to Preparing Nominations for the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM)

AFSM Nomination Form

Want to discuss a potential nomination or need some more information? Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About the Australian Fire Service Medal 

Introduced in 1988, the Australian Fire Service Medal recognised distinguished service by members of Australian fire services and is awarded to both volunteer and paid members. The award recognised the distinguished service by members of a State or Territory Fire Service, a Fire Service of an agency of the Commonwealth, and the Fire Services of the External Territories of Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling Island) and Norfolk Island.

The medal is awarded twice a year as part of the Australia Day award and King's Birthday award announcements.

Criteria for the Australian Fire Service Medal 

To be considered for this award it would be expected that the nominee has given service beyond the norm exemplified by:

1. Prolonged service distinguished by exceptional performance in a particular area that has proved significant benefit to the fire service; and one or more of the following.
2. Responsibility for and management of an outstanding/exceptional event that has proven to be of significant benefit to the fire service, a community or community safety generally. 
3. Development of a new system, or procedure, or technique that is unique and has made a significant contribution to the fire service, a community or community safety generally. 
4. Outstanding leadership in the encouragement and development of others, particularly youth, within the fire service and the fostering and furthering of the aims of the fire service to the long-term benefit of the fire service and the community. 
5. Demonstrated creativity in the development and implementation of innovative changes that have made a significant contribution to the fire service, fire/emergency operations, or the interests of community safety.

Consultation is non-negotiable 
By Adam Barnett, VFBV Chief Executive Officer 

If you’ve been following our 2-Minute-briefings over the year, you would be aware that we have been at loggerheads with CFA over its attempted introduction of new medical standards.

Over the past 12 months, we have had more volunteers and brigades raising concerns with how CFA has treated medical issues than on any other issue. Complaints about the lack of transparency, lack of communication, shifting goal posts, long and complex forms, rigid interpretation of risks and conditions, a culture of rejection rather than risk mitigation or treatment plans, breaches of privacy and secretive review panels that have not disclosed what medical information they are considering, let alone who is actually on them.

Inexplicably, these complaints are evidence of a culture and approach that saw CFA attempt to unilaterally introduce processes and protocols that perceivably try to apply the highest level of medical standards on any firefighter anywhere in the country – including across paid services. Just think about that for a moment.

A community member who puts up their hand and says they wish to share responsibility for their fire safety is being told by the organisation Parliament has tasked with making that happen that they must exceed standards that apply to those who wish to be employed by career fire services. And someone thought that would be a good idea and sounded fair and reasonable to them?

Upon questioning, CFA representatives charged with working on these new arrangements exclaimed that they did not consult with VFBV or volunteers on their development because we “are not doctors.” When delegates to our People, Culture and Safety Committee pointed at that neither were the CFA staff, management committee or the CFA Board subcommittee charged with overseeing their development – you could hear crickets.

Funny how hypocrisy does that.

At the end of the day – it is all a moot point.

The CFA Act requires CFA to consult with VFBV and provides no such qualifications for CFA to ignore this statutory obligation. No ifs, buts or maybes. Consultation is non-negotiable, and it pains me to no end that we are still required to remind work units of their obligations under their own Act. But I am unapologetic when things get to this stage and we must call it out.

I am also at pains to add that it demonstrates an abject failure of CFA’s governance framework that allows such blatant failures to go undetected for so long.

VFBV is demanding that CFA’s medical guidelines and processes will be developed in the open, and in full consultation with VFBV and volunteers. Given asthma and diabetes seem to be the most common conditions responsible for the majority of anguish, we are urging CFA to prioritise these and any other common conditions to front load the review.

Rejecting an applicant because they report they had childhood asthma and have not used Ventolin or had an attack for over 20 years is simply bureaucracy gone mad. I was recently told a story by an ACFO of a volunteer who had applied to a small rural brigade that was desperate for members, only to be told due to childhood asthma they could not.

The prospective members own GP wrote back to CFA advising the last recorded attack was when they were 12 years old, and that there had been no recorded issues or concerns in the past 15 years and this prospective member was a young and fit adult that was more than capable of meeting the requirements. When the decision finally got overruled some nine months later, when the ACFO called to let the person know they had been accepted – he was advised the person was overseas competing at the Winter Olympics. Apparently this prospective member was fit enough to be an Olympian but not fit enough to pass some tick box exercise. Madness.

In going through the myriad of examples that members have provided us over the past 12 months, it is clear to me that one of the fundamentals that needs to be on the table is the role of external providers.

In the past, CFA employed its own Chief Medical Officer. And while this had its complications, it is clear that the introduction of third-party providers has not created the efficiencies or benefits sought. Certainly not to volunteers anyway. It was sold to volunteers as the solution to a bottleneck that saw volunteers having to travel long distances and experience long delays to visit a Melbourne based doctor.

Arguably, the issue of long delays has not changed. Based on volunteer feedback to VFBV - the end user volunteer experience has certainly been far worse. Perceivably, third party providers have simply replaced CFA’s risk appetite, with their own. Load in the community and volunteer nature of CFA and the differences in risk models and risk appetite of an emergency service provider that is necessarily different to what the typical corporate environment that third party providers are used to servicing and is it any wonder this friction is playing out?

It has also opened up a situation where a member navigating the processes is handballed between CFA and the third-party provider often leaving them stranded and confused as to who is actually the decision maker. In some instances, CFA has also distanced itself from the performance and accountabilities of looking after its own members, hiding behind faceless providers.

Broader impacts are also becoming evident.

We have been hearing horror stories of members losing faith and confidence to engage with rehab units or medical monitoring at incidents – afraid that they will get caught in this nexus. District Councils have provided examples of the fear of retribution from seeking medical assistance. From a safety-first perspective, this is a horrible outcome where members are too afraid to engage with medical services afraid it is simply a punitive service and it will simply be easier for CFA to revoke their operational status than work with them to manage their condition.

This is the consequences of a system that has been modified without volunteer engagement and consultation. When the users of the system do not have faith or confidence that it has their interests at heart and that it is neither fair or reasonable and will only be used to punish or discard – then this is a failure that arguably poses a far greater risk to members health and safety.

Fortunately, the main protagonists have since departed CFA, and VFBV has been working diligently with new management to bring this sorry chapter to a close. I often say the strength of our relationship with CFA is based on our ability to have the hard conversations driven by a desire to reach a solution rather than just focusing on the theatrics of the argument.

I am pleased therefore to report that discussions have resumed and have been far more productive than those previously. I have been impressed with CFA’s new GM of Health, Safety and Wellbeing and am becoming increasingly optimistic that CFA has heard our concerns and rethought the fundamentals about what it is trying to achieve and how it will approach it.

I am hesitant to say to members that all is fixed and is going to be solved and get better very soon. I am however willing to say that things seem to be moving in the right direction, and I do see evidence of a new approach. I also want to acknowledge the support of the CFA Executive, in particular the CFA CEO for bringing these matters to a head.

While it is early days, there is cause for optimism.

I also want to assure members that VFBV is keenly aware of the need to balance the needs of individuals with the need to ensure individual members do not pose an unacceptable risk to those they work beside. This is a delicate balance but is not insurmountable. Career services work through these issues everyday. Too often than not – volunteers are seen as a soft target.

Thank-you to those volunteers and brigades who have been engaging with us to help us understand the issues and friction points. Please keep an eye out for consultation opportunities as we work through the next layers of detail and keep providing the feedback that helps us identify the priorities.

Which brings me to the usual chestnut about time and space. I know there is a lot going on at the moment.

Rather than expecting everyone to engage on everything, I highly encourage brigades and groups to frequently promote the various consultation opportunities available so that members can pursue what interests them most. One of the benefits of VFBV’s advocacy is that it is informed by a very large and diverse network that helps us identify consensus and those issues where support significantly varies.

This is why it is important to recognise that members experience is often significantly affected by the size of their brigade, its classification, its leadership, where it is located and the myriads of differing demographics across the State.

Rather than a curse, it is our main strength and helps us identify solutions that suit the broadest number of people and brigades. Thank-you for your continued assistance and support as we continue to address the issues you tell us are your priorities. And while progress is often slow and non-linear, rest assured we are working hard to seek the improvements you have asked us for.

Survey last chance

The annual VFBV Volunteer Survey will close shortly.

Visit the VFBV website to take part in the survey today. Paper copies of the survey are also available by calling the VFBV office on (03) 9886 1141.

VESEP Help Pack

Applications are now open for the 2026 Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP), with the closing date fast approaching. VFBV has updated its VESEP Help Pack to assist brigades and groups with their VESEP applications.

VESEP provides grants of $2 for every $1 of Brigade or Group funding to assist brigades and groups in acquiring a wide range of additional equipment in recognition of the significant contribution emergency service volunteers provide in supporting Victorian communities. This year Brigades and Groups can apply for a grant of up to $250,000 - an increase on the previous maximum grant.

Now in its 26th year, VESEP first started out as the Community Safety Emergency Support Program in 2000 and was designed in close consultation with VFBV and volunteers, with the intent being a grants program designed by volunteers with minimal administration required from volunteers.

Brigades that do not have enough funds to cover the one-third contribution may apply for a hardship grant, that can waive part or all of the contribution.

See our help pack for details, including closing dates for applications.

Brigade Allowance Survey
In this year’s affiliation pack sent to all Brigade/Group Secretaries is a CFA annual allowance survey.

With recent break ins fuelling a desire to invest in increased security, together with the impacts of inflation on increasing everyday costs, an increasing number of brigades and groups are advising VFBV that their CFA annual allowance no longer covers basic expenses or amenity and has not changed for many years.

Recent requests from VFBV to the CFA Board to apply CPI increases to Brigade and Group allowances has not achieved a satisfactory response, and as a result the survey data will inform further VFBV advocacy on this issue.

All responses are confidential with only de-identified information to be shared with CFA.

Help us help you and ensure your secretary or treasurer returns the survey by Monday 31st August 2026.

Volunteer unity
Thank you for members’ strong show of support!

In 2025/26, brigades and groups showed it is more important than ever that volunteers have a strong, united and independent voice and peak body with the overwhelming majority of Brigades choosing unity over division and supporting VFBV’s important work representing and advocating for volunteers. Thank you to all brigades and groups who affiliated last year and helped us stand up for volunteers.

In the coming weeks, brigade and group secretaries will receive the 2026/27 renewal notices.

Those who pay before 31st July will be automatically entered into a draw to win one of four extremely worthwhile prizes valued at approximately $4,000. Prizes have been donated by GAAM and we sincerely thank them for their continued support.

CFA Honours and Awards documents

VFBV is reviewing CFA’s draft Honours, Awards and Remembrance Policy and draft Revocation of Honours and Awards Procedure.

Members are invited to examine the proposed documents and share their views.

Please visit the VFBV website to access the proposed policy and procedure and for information on how to provide feedback. Feedback on the honours and awards policy and procedure will close at the end of June 2026.

VFBV Board Positions
Vacancies on the VFBV Board will arise when the terms of four VFBV Board members expire on the 1st October 2026. All are eligible for reappointment.

VFBV invites applications from any CFA volunteer who is motivated by the prospect of making a difference and believes they have the skills to contribute to VFBV at the board level.

The role of a board member involves contributing to VFBV direction, policy determination and monitoring the performance and governance of the Association. This includes actively contributing to policy discussion, consulting with CFA volunteers and contributing to the identification and management of strategic issues.

VFBV is seeking applications from gender and culturally diverse candidates in addition to a diverse range of skills and experience including applications from diverse brigade types and classifications.

Members should familiarise themselves with the VFBV Board member role statement and key selection criteria available from the VFBV website or via the office at (03) 9886 1141.

Applications close on Monday 31st August 2026.

Rebate Scheme
A reminder that the eligible volunteers rebate scheme is now open for eligible volunteers and life members to apply for a rebate on an eligible property under the Emergency Services Tax.

VFBV continues to hear misinformation about eligibility.

Some members have reported they are not eligible due to the current rate freeze that paused the primary producer tax rate to last year’s levels.

This pause does not affect the rebate scheme, and members who own their primary place of residence or farm and are listed on the title, are encouraged to assess their eligibility for a rebate by logging into their CFA online account, to complete the CFA eligibility test.

To check the rules and eligibility requirements, you can visit: https://www.vic.gov.au/evrs   

If you are eligible and own an eligible property, head to Members Online to start the process.

Volunteer Membership Model
CFA has released the Contemporary Volunteer Membership Model Options Paper  and seeks your feedback on 13 recommended options that are designed to support real life circumstances and improve the way people join, stay, move between brigades, contribute in different ways, and transition across roles over time. All while supporting brigades to broaden and maintain their membership and strengthen capability without the unnecessary burdens.

The options come directly from what volunteers and brigades have told CFA over the past several years about some of the unintentional barriers in the current model that limit opportunities for volunteering.

A CFA survey and FAQ is available here.

Committee updates

Eight pages of updates from the CFA/VFBV Joint Committees are included in this month’s VFBV Quarterly Supplement that is included in this edition of Fire Wise.

VFBV provides a free copy of Fire Wise to all brigade Captains and Secretaries, as well as all Group Officers and Group Secretaries.

The 2-Minute Briefings from each committee provides a quick way to stay updated on important updates to the issues raised by volunteers through VFBV District Councils.

Electronic copies of the quarterly supplement can be accessed via the VFBV website.

CFA Board Vacancies 

The CFA Act recognises that it is important that the CFA Board has strong volunteer expertise, knowledge and an understanding of CFA volunteers. To support this, four of the skills-based CFA Board members are appointed by the Minister for Emergency Services from a panel of names submitted by VFBV. This year, the terms of two volunteer nominees will expire in December 2026, with both members eligible for re-appointment. One is for a volunteer from brigades predominantly serving rural communities, and the other being for a volunteer from brigades predominantly serving urban communities.

CFA volunteers who believe they have the skills, experience and capacity to make a contribution to the Board of CFA are invited to apply. In addition to volunteer experience and knowledge, selection will have regard to any of the following - knowledge of or experience in; commercial; technical; operational; legal or financial matters; expertise in fire or emergency management; land management; or any other field relevant to the performance of the functions of the CFA.

VFBV is seeking applications from gender and culturally diverse candidates in addition to a diverse range of skills and experience including applications from diverse brigade types and classifications.

Members should familiarise themselves with the CFA Board Charter and further information on the application process is available from the VFBV website or via the office at (03) 9886 1141.

A closing date for applications will be advised shortly.

Recent articles on the VFBV website
Donate Now – Supporting CFA Volunteers in a time of need

Now Open – 2025/26 VFBV Volunteer Survey

Feedback Requested - CFA Honours and Awards documents

VFBV Board Vacancies

2026 VESEP Applications Now Open and VFBV Help Pack

Bushfire Recovery Resources

Contemporary Volunteer Membership Model Options Paper

Emergency Services Tax Forecast Funding

CFA Board Vacancies

Presumptive Legislation Update

Enjoy the VFBV monthly newsletter?
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Want to read the VFBV 2-minute briefings from the CFA/VFBV Joint Committees?
The latest edition along with previous editions can be downloaded from the VFBV website here.

VFBV is reviewing CFA's draft Honours, Awards and Remembrance Policy and draft Revocation of Honours and Awards Procedure.

Members are invited to examine the proposed documents and share their views.

Feedback can be submitted by individual members, brigades, or groups, and contributors do not need to be delegates to participate in the consultation process. Volunteer feedback plays an important role in shaping formal positions and informing discussions throughout the review process.

Members are encouraged to submit their feedback as early as possible. Early submissions allow additional research to be undertaken where required and can strengthen advocacy on issues identified by members.

Those seeking further information are encouraged to contact their local State Councillor or VFBV Support Officer in the first instance.

Copies of the proposed policy and procedure document are available for download at the bottom of this page.

How to provide feedback:

These two documents will be open for consultation until the end of June 2026.

Feedback can be provided via:

1.      Emailing to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

2.      Your local District Council or your local VFBV Support Officer

3.      By Post: 9/24 Lakeside Drive, Burwood East VIC 3151

Feedback does not need to be long or detailed, but if you do have the time to make substantive comment that is always welcome.

If you generally support a principle or policy, then a quick note letting us know would also be helpful. Similarly, let us know if you do not support it, or which aspects of it you don't support.

Your feedback will assist us form a VFBV position and response to the proposed changes and help us advocate on behalf of CFA volunteers. Please consider getting involved, and providing us your feedback ASAP.

Please remember to provide feedback in support as well as against. If we only hear from those who are against, it can be harder to determine the general comfort level of members with the proposals.

Courage and integrity 

By Adam Barnett, VFBV Chief Executive Officer  

With the Fire Danger Period officially ending on Thursday 30 April, the last fire restrictions have now all been lifted. Capping off a busy season, I want to take this opportunity to thank all volunteers for their incredible contributions over the fire danger period. Between the 1st December to the 1 March, volunteers responded to 13,548 individual incidents, with more than 28,500 total brigade turnouts. Over the same period, it is estimated that more than 206,012 volunteer hours were contributed by volunteers on the fireground.

Demonstrating the criticality of volunteer surge capacity, more than 400 strike teams using more than 2,000 appliance deployments contributed by 650 brigades swung into action just during January alone.

Many thousands of others placed themselves on standby or contributed at their local brigade level to support the members deployed.

And while these are just numbers on a page, every minute contributed by volunteers represent a precious sacrifice made. It may have been time away from family and loved ones, it may have been absence from work, or loss of income from their own business or farm. Whatever the reason, and on behalf of the communities you helped – thank you.

Messages of support and appreciation to CFA crews have flooded into the Parliamentary Inquiry that is currently underway.

As we reminded the Inquiry, like all times prior, CFA volunteers have answered the call for help from the Victorian Community. They did their best with what they had. The frustration of many, is what they have is not always enough.

The brigades who are forced to turnout 37 year-old tankers know their communities deserve better. The brigades that just get tin sheds to store the bare necessities, some without even mains power or water, know that it is going to be difficult to attract the next generation of volunteers when community members take one look at the resources provided to these small volunteer fire stations and decide it is not for them.

For our part, VFBV’s submission to the Inquiry was the culmination of extensive feedback received from volunteers who answered our call for feedback. I want to thank all volunteers, brigades, groups and District Councils that have either contributed to the Inquiry directly, or requested us to raise their concerns as part of our broader submission.

Given the compressed timelines, and the fact that many volunteers were still active during the call for submissions, we have used best endeavour to cover all the issues raised with us and within purview of the inquiry.

Demonstrating our peak body knowledge and experience, it has been very satisfying to see that the overwhelming majority of issues raised by volunteers during the inquiry’s public hearings and by submission were in fact covered in our submission. This provides me with great confidence that our networks remain connected and active. It also ensures these issues have been able to be covered factually and professionally to ensure decision makers on the Parliamentary Committee have the benefit of volunteers’ experiences and perspectives.

The importance of these perspectives has become very clear upon reviewing the whole of Government submission provided to the Committee on behalf of the Government, sector and agencies that attempts to conceal or limit any unpleasant or incriminating facts.

Given the consistent and overwhelming testimony that the inquiry has heard over the past weeks, it is confronting to observe the lack of insight or reflection that is contained within the whole of government submission that should be contributing to learnings and improvements. Instead, it has been left to the community and first responders to honestly explain how things unfolded and the areas for improvement that need to occur in order to ensure the systems and processes that Victorians rely on during these large scale emergencies - are fit for purpose and are doing what is intended.

Included in our submission is detailed analysis of CFA funding and fleet replacement analysis to ensure decision makers develop an in-depth understanding of the magnitude of CFA’s under resourcing and fiscal restraints, that in our view are being hidden from the public and setting CFA up for failure.

For example, our analysis tracks government grants over the last five years and factors in the impact of cumulative CPI inflation that has eroded CFA’s purchasing power by 19.2% over those five years reflecting rising labour costs; fuel and fleet cost escalation; construction and capital cost blowouts; and increases to equipment and personal protective clothing costs.

And while the 2024/25 miniscule increase in CFA grant funding amounted to just $22M, the real value after factoring in inflation means CFA’s grant funding last year was $48.5M below the 2020/21 baseline and 13.8% lower in real terms. In fact, the dropping real value of grants has left CFA the equivalent of an entire year of no grant funding worse off over the past five years.

The age of the CFA fleet tells the story, with 145 (67%) of CFA Pumpers aged beyond their design age of 15 years, with the oldest 33 years old. 690 CFA Tankers (41%) are aged beyond their designed age of 20 years, with the oldest being 37 years old. This leaves a total of 835 old trucks requiring replacement, with government funding announcements promising only to replace approximately 20 trucks at a time. At this rate, sustainable fleet replacement is decades away.

We also point out that over the same time period; CFA operational activity has increased year on year since 2020. For example, volunteers responded to 30,843 incidents in 2020/21, increasing to 41,925 incidents for the 2024/25 period.

In other words, CFA volunteers are being expected to do more, with less. A lot less.

One of the areas that has been extensively raised by volunteers during the inquiry has been the lack of roadside vegetation management, with volunteers explaining the impact this had on fire spread and behaviour, with major roads that once acted as fire breaks now becoming wicks that escalate fire spread. VFBV’s submission covers this issue in depth and points out the systemic issues relating to Victoria’s new Emergency Management Planning frameworks and structures and the retrograde step back in 2018 which altered the CFA Act and dropped the mandatory requirement for municipalities to prepare fire prevention plans.

Not only have we called for the reintroduction of fire prevention committees with brigade representation, but we have also called for stronger accountability for public land holders (like road and rail) and for CFA and Councils to have the power to enforce prevention works on public landholders who fail to properly maintain roadsides and other land commensurate with the requirements that already exist for private land holders.

VFBV’s submission also covers:

• - The importance of private equipment and appliances, with VFBV calling for greater government support for landholders who invest in private equipment – recommending rebates on registration or rebates on insurance fees to recognise the important role private equipment plays in reducing the risk of fire
• - The insufficient training and professional development opportunities available to volunteers that is resulting in a reduction of qualified and experienced level 3 and level 2 incident management roles, including field roles such as Divisional Commanders, Sector Commanders and Strike Team Leaders
• - Communication issues including network issues, lack of redundancies, incorrect comms planning, interoperability of channel plans between agencies and the lack of engagement between ICCs and local command and control including the failure to tap into local knowledge and local brigade Captains and Group Officers
• - The need to harden critical infrastructure, and ensure telecommunication towers and community water supplies have adequate battery and generator backup to deal with the inevitable power disruptions that occur during major emergencies
• - Community confusion around emergency warnings and the VicEmergency website and app. We have recommended warnings should be more granular and include fire behaviour detail and direction to better assist community members being informed
• - The need to prioritise road access and hazardous tree assessments to ensure the community can quickly and safely return to care for their stock, animals and property once the fire front passes
• - Improvements to Traffic Management Points to support communities with access and security following evacuations and leave early warnings, with current issues acting as a disincentive for people to leave early
• - Volunteers continue to raise the consequences of reduced CFA command personnel due to systemic issues with the secondment arrangements that see volunteers having to deal with significant gaps and non-relief that cascades across entire Districts leaving volunteers without the support they require
• - The poor briefing, tasking, fatigue management and amenity provided to some volunteer crews who were left to arrange transport themselves or forced to travel long distances for basic amenity such as food and accommodation
• - Inaccessible roadside barriers that impacted firefighters accessing points of ignition and fire spread – a situation VFBV predicted a decade ago with the escalated rollout of wire rope barriers and the lack of strategic breaks for emergency vehicle access
• - Dropping volunteer numbers and the need for volunteer retention programs
• - Low morale contributed by unilateral changes to the Fire Services Property Levy and the impact arising from the lack of consultation and engagement of volunteers, including ignoring the concerns and advice that was provided to government during the Bill’s passage through Parliament

We have also taken the opportunity to remind Parliamentarians that CFA was purposefully and deliberately established as an independent statutory authority, arm’s length from government due to the extreme risk of fire and the fact that Victoria is one of the most fire prone places in the world.

We reflect that this fiercely protected independence is hardly recognisable in today’s CFA that in practice has been allowed to be treated as simply an extension of government.

We warn that volunteers will not volunteer for a government department, and CFA’s malaise and the spectre of continued political interference will continue to hamper CFA’s ability to listen and respond to the concerns of its volunteers.

We also share our reflection that volunteers have participated in a plethora of reviews over the years, with the perception of little ultimate improvement to the support of volunteers and the communities they protect.

Our hope is this will not just be yet another inquiry in the footnote of the pages of history. Volunteers have done all they can to raise the issues requiring improvement. Decisions and recommendations that make a difference will require courage and integrity. Hopefully the courage that volunteers have displayed in meeting great adversity over this and years past will inspire similar greatness. It is not only volunteers who are depending on it, but the Victorian public who will increasingly be exposed to the intensifying fire seasons ahead. The work done today will determine how well-prepared Victoria is for the future.

Survey last chance

The annual VFBV Volunteer Survey will close shortly.

Visit the VFBV website www.vfbv.com.au/cfa to take part in the survey today.

Paper copies of the survey are also available by calling the VFBV office on (03) 9886 1141.

Memorial Service

On Sunday 3 May, CFA’s Annual Firefighter Memorial Service was held at Central Highlands Training Ground at Ballan which recognised the sacrifice of 85 fallen firefighters from CFA and predecessor organisations. This year’s service also recognised a further three historical deaths in the line of duty.

Joesph Thomas Smith (Lilydale Brigade) passed away on 21 June 1906 returning to the station following a call at the local quarry. Joseph is now the earliest recognised line of duty death for CFA. Francis Edward Symington (Bacchus Marsh) passed away on 7 April 1937 in hospital following a bicycle accident on his way to responding to a fire call a day earlier. Walter James Anderson (Kangaroo Flat) collapsed at a fire while firefighting and died while being transported to hospital on 14 November 1961.

Each of these deaths will be added to CFA’s Roll of Honour, the memorial wall at Treasury Gardens in Melbourne and they will also be honoured at the upcoming National Emergency Services Memorial Service in Canberra.

At the memorial service, wreaths were laid by Minister for Agriculture Micheala Settle MP representing the Minister for Emergency Services, VFBV State President Samantha Collins, VFBV Chief Executive Officer Adam Barnett, CFA Board Chair Jo Plummer, CFA CEO Greg Leach AFSM and CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan. VFBV and CFA Board members, State Councillors, sector leaders, family, friends and loved ones also paid their respects and honoured the personal sacrifices and commitment given, with a bell tolled for each name of our fallen.

Each year the annual memorial service is held on the closest Sunday to 4th May which is International Firefighters’ Day and St Florian’s Day, with St Florian being the Patron Saint of Firefighters.

National Volunteer Week

This year from 18 to 24 May 2026, National Volunteer Week, will celebrate the contribution of volunteers to Australia. This year’s theme Your Year to Volunteer not only highlights the important role of volunteers in our community but also encourages people across Australia to make 2026 the year they get involved and make a difference.

Already in 2026 we have seen the extraordinary response of CFA volunteers across Victoria responding to the fires which have impacted much of Victoria over the 2025-26 fire season. VFBV passes on our deep gratitude, respect and appreciation to all CFA volunteers for the work you do for your communities, not only during the fire season but 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Victorians are safer because of the work you do, and VFBV could not be prouder of you, your brigades and all those that support you in the work you do to protect lives and property.

We also acknowledge fellow volunteers across all of Victoria’s emergency management volunteer workforce including volunteer first responders from VicSES, St John Ambulance, Ambulance Victoria, Life Saving Victoria, Coast Guard, Salvation Army, Red Cross and the Victorian Council of Churches Emergencies Ministry – just to name a few who all work together to contribute their time, skills and resources to make change in their communities as emergency management volunteers.

Donate now
The VFBV Volunteer Support & Recovery Trust fund (formerly Black Saturday Recovery Trust Fund) was established in 2009 following the Black Saturday fires.

This fund is established to respond to significant natural disasters such as floods, storms and bushfires impacting on CFA volunteers, and is calling for donations to support CFA volunteers who have been directly impacted by the 2025/26 Bushfires.

Donate at: www.givenow.com.au/volunteersupport 

Rebate Scheme
A reminder that the eligible volunteers rebate scheme is now open for eligible volunteers and life members to apply for a rebate on an eligible property under the Emergency Services Tax.

VFBV continues to hear misinformation about eligibility. Some members have reported they are not eligible due to the current rate freeze that paused the primary producer tax rate to last year’s levels. This pause does not affect the rebate scheme, and members who own their primary place of residence or farm and are listed on the title, are encouraged to assess their eligibility for a rebate by logging into their CFA online account, to complete the CFA eligibility test.

To check the rules and eligibility requirements, you can visit: https://www.vic.gov.au/evrs 

If you are eligible and own an eligible property, head to Members Online to start the process

VESEP applications now open

The Minister for Emergency Services has recently announced the opening of the next round of the Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP).

VESEP provides funding to assist emergency service volunteers in acquiring a wide range of equipment, recognising the significant contribution you make in supporting Victorian communities during times of emergency.

The program typically offers funding on a $2 for $1 basis, where $2 is provided for every $1 contributed by the Brigade or Group. Special Access grants are also available to support brigades and groups that may find it difficult to raise their one-third contribution.

This year’s application period opened on 16 April and will close on 11 June. This is a relatively short window, so potential applicants are encouraged to begin discussions with their local District Office, Group, and DPC as soon as possible.

Please note: if your brigade is applying for minor works to your station, you must pre-register your project with Land and Building Services before 28 May.

Now in its 26th year, VESEP originally commenced in 2000 as the Community Safety Emergency Support Program. It was developed in close consultation with VFBV and volunteers, with the aim of creating a grants program designed by volunteers, with minimal administrative burden.

The program continues to prioritise support for brigades and groups that have not previously applied.

VFBV has again reviewed and updated the Application Help Pack to assist brigades and groups in preparing their submissions. This resource includes practical suggestions and checklists and complements the CFA Guidelines and the 2026–27 application forms.

The Help Pack is available for download via the VFBV website. Brigades that prefer a printed copy can request one by calling the VFBV Office on 9886 1141.

Members can also contact their local VFBV State Councillors and/or VFBV Support Officers for further information or assistance. Enquiries can also be sent via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

CFA Board Vacancies

The CFA Act recognises that it is important that the CFA Board has strong volunteer expertise, knowledge and an understanding of CFA volunteers. To support this, four of the skills-based CFA Board members are appointed by the Minister for Emergency Services from a panel of names submitted by VFBV. This year, the terms of two volunteer nominees will expire in December 2026, with both members eligible for re-appointment. One is for a volunteer from brigades predominantly serving rural communities, and the other being for a volunteer from brigades predominantly serving urban communities.

CFA volunteers who believe they have the skills, experience and capacity to make a contribution to the Board of CFA are invited to apply. In addition to volunteer experience and knowledge, selection will have regard to any of the following - knowledge of or experience in; commercial; technical; operational; legal or financial matters; expertise in fire or emergency management; land management; or any other field relevant to the performance of the functions of the CFA.

VFBV is seeking applications from gender and culturally diverse candidates in addition to a diverse range of skills and experience including applications from diverse brigade types and classifications.

Members should familiarise themselves with the CFA Board Charter and further information on the application process is available from the VFBV website or via the office at (03) 9886 1141.

A closing date for applications will be advised shortly.

VFBV Board Vacancies

Vacancies on the VFBV Board will arise when the terms of four VFBV Board members expire on 1 October 2026. Of the four members whose terms are expiring, all are eligible for reappointment.

VFBV invites applications from any CFA volunteer who is motivated by the prospect of making a difference and believes they have the skills to contribute to the VFBV Board.

The role of a board member involves contributing to VFBV direction, policy determination and monitoring the performance and governance of the Association. This includes actively contributing to policy discussion, consulting with CFA volunteers and contributing to the identification and management of strategic issues.

VFBV is seeking applications from gender and culturally diverse candidates in addition to a diverse range of skills and experience including applications from diverse brigade types and classifications.

Members should familiarise themselves with the VFBV Board member role statement and key selection criteria available from the VFBV website or via the VFBV office (03) 9886 1141.

Applications close on Monday 31 August 2026 and must be lodged to: VFBV, 9/24 Lakeside Drive, Burwood East 3151 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Fire Wise – May 2026 online only edition

The May 2026 edition of Fire Wise has been published online only, this edition and past editions are available from the Fire Wise website for a small subscription fee.

You can support Fire Wise and the role it plays as an independent voice in keeping volunteers informed by becoming a subscriber. To become a subscriber visit the Fire Wise website or contact the Managing Editor of Fire Wise, Gordon Rippon-King either by phone 0402 051 412 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Contemporary Volunteer Membership Model Options Paper

All members are invited to have your say on a major piece of work, years in the making, that CFA claims will shape the foundations for flexible, clear and modern volunteer membership at CFA now and into the future.

The Options Paper seeks feedback on 13 recommended options that are designed to support real life circumstances and improve the way people join, stay, move between brigades, contribute in different ways, and transition roles over time. All while supporting brigades to broaden and maintain their membership and strengthen capability without the unnecessary burdens.

The options in the paper come directly from what volunteers and brigades have told CFA over the past several years about some of the unintentional barriers in the current model, that limit opportunities for volunteering.

For more information on how to provide feedback to both CFA and VFBV on the options presented as well a link to download the Options Paper visit the VFBV website.

SOP Feedback

CFA has requested VFBV review and provide feedback on 11 updated or new SOP’s. Please visit the VFBV website for links to download each of the SOP’s as well as VFBV’s comparison tables for the 9 updated SOP’s.

Given the importance of SOP’s in CFA’s operational doctrine, all members are encouraged to review and revised SOP’s and provide any feedback, suggestions or amendments including indicating support or non-support for the proposed SOP’s to VFBV ASAP.

Please visit the VFBV website to access the draft SOP’s and change logs to help guide your feedback as well information on how to provide feedback. 

Recent articles on the VFBV website
Donate Now – Supporting CFA Volunteers in a time of need

Now Open – 2025/26 VFBV Volunteer Survey

CFA Board Vacancies

VFBV Board Vacancies

2026 VESEP Applications Now Open and VFBV Help Pack

Bushfire Recovery Resources

SOP Feedback – December 2025

Contemporary Volunteer Membership Model Options Paper

Emergency Services Tax Forecast Funding

SOP Feedback – Various Interim SOP’s (October 2025)

Presumptive Legislation Update

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