Victorian Rural Fire Brigades Association

VRFBA Purpose & Role

The prupose of the VRFBA includes:

To look after the welfare and efficiency of rural volunteers.
To consider and bring to the notice of the Victorian Country Fire Authority all matters affecting the welfare and efficiency of members of Rural Fire Brigades and Groups of Brigades (other than questions of discipline and promotion).
To represent volunteers.
To make representations to the Country Fire Authority, other statutory agencies and the State Government, in pursuance of the policies determined by the Association's body of management.
To pursue policies.
To actively pursue policies to improve fire prevention and suppression practices and the protection of life and property in the country area of Victoria.
To support Brigades.
To support any activity deemed appropriate for improving emergency service delivery by Rural Fire Brigades and Groups of Brigades.
To support Competition.
To organise and encourage competitors among volunteer fire brigade members.
To conduct communication forums.
To hold or arrange meetings or conferences in order to determine the policies of the Association from time to time and inform members and others on matters relating to the Association's purposes.

Role of the Assocation

Autonomous Association
The Association functions as an autonomous and independent organisation with its funds sourced from the brigades and groups with a membership fee. This is supplemented with an annual grant from the State Government. These funds enable the Association to provide a professional secretariat to service its requirements.

Represents Wider Community
The Association does not represent narrow sectional interests but wider community interests from whom it draws its strength in personnel and inspiration.

Committed to Rural Volunteers
The Association has a total commitment to the CFA's rural volunteer firefighters serving the community in a voluntary capacity. For over seventy years, it has represented the interests of 1,000 rural brigades, 143 groups, and over 64,000 volunteer firefighters. The VRFBA is the largest and most representative organisation of its type in Australia.