Issues of Interest

Volunteering Campaign A Winner

Victoria’s volunteer firefighters have congratulated the CFA and State Government on this year’s advertising campaign to promote the value of volunteers.

The statewide body that represents volunteer firefighters says the benefits of having a local CFA brigade go far beyond the provision of a professional standard of fire fighting service.

Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV) President Gary Lyttle said it benefits the volunteers themselves, local employers and the cities, towns and small communities they serve.

“CFA volunteers undergo considerable professional training and gain wide experience, their employers benefit from that and small communities find volunteers are often business people or involved other community groups – real contributors,” Mr Lyttle said.

“Imagine selecting a group of between 20 and 50 local people, giving them TAFE training free of charge and setting them to the task of providing a vital local service at no cost to the community – that’s your CFA brigade.”

“Every Victorian community is richer for having its volunteer firefighters,” he said.

VFBV represents the state’s 60,000 volunteer firefighters, who provide professionally trained fire fighting services in suburban and country areas.

“Everyone can be glad that this year’s campaign will help to retain volunteers, build the support of their employers and families, and raise the profile of their important contribution to the community,” Mr Lyttle said.

“Your local CFA brigade is deeply involved in fire prevention, community education, supporting other volunteer and community groups, and adding to the robustness of the community.”
 

The Vital Valued Victorians campaign is part of a wider move to build recognition of the contribution of all kinds of volunteers.

“Your local firefighters can tell you how volunteering builds every positive part of a community, with the Red Cross, CWA, SES, surf life saving clubs, Volunteer Coast Guard and others out there making a difference, all year round,” Mr Lyttle said.

“And employers have told us that the volunteers among their staff are often easy to spot, for their maturity, common sense, level of training and organisational skills,” he said.

“And all of that is benefiting the community as well.”

“Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria urges everyone to celebrate the contribution of ordinary Victorians, and look at the benefits of becoming a volunteer too.”
 

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