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On behalf of VFBV, we wish all members, friends and supporters a very happy and safe Christmas and New Year.
CFA volunteers work tirelessly to support and protect their communities prevent and suppress fires and other emergencies. We take this opportunity to thank each and every one of our CFA Volunteers for the tremendous work they do in protecting our communities.
To all our volunteer firefighter's on the front line, and to the thousands of others who support in our communities or behind the scenes, well done and thank-you for your incredible contribution year after year.
This year, CFA volunteers have not only protected Victoria, they have travelled interstate to assisit QLD, NT, WA and NSW with their fire seasons. This is CFA's volunteer surge capacity in action and its protection is critical for the safety of all Victorian's.
To the families, employers and supporters of CFA volunteers we say thank you. Your support is crucial to the work our members do in protecting Victorian communities from fire and building safe and resilient communities, 365 days of the year.
May everyone have a safe and Happy Christmas.
Stay safe over the holiday season, and please look out for one another.
VFBV is saddened to hear of the loss of two New South Wales firefighters in the line of duty on Tuesday 12 December.
RFS Group Captain Dale Bowles suffered a medical episode while responding to a car fire in the Moama area on Tuesday afternoon. Dale had been a member of the RFS since 2015 and prior to that had an extensive career with CFA.
Michael Kidd lost his life while responding to a house fire at Grose Vale, north west of Sydney with Fire and Rescue NSW on Tuesday morning. Michael had been a member of Fire and Rescue NSW since 2010 and a volunteer with the NSW Rural Fire Service since 1989.
Our thoughts and our deepest condolences are with the families, friends, loved ones and colleagues of both Dale and Michael.
On behalf of VFBV, CFA volunteers and all members we express our heartfelt sorrow and pass on our thoughts and prayers. We mourn alongside both Fire and Rescue NSW and the NSW Rural Fire Service during this sad time.
Adam Barnett
Chief Executive Officer, Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria
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To Queensland and back again
By Adam Barnett, VFBV Chief Executive Officer
As another year comes to a close, we again see the value and importance of Victoria’s volunteer surge capacity in action. Over the last couple of months, CFA has provided significant support and resources to Queensland, Northern Territory and NSW with all having experienced significant spring fire seasons. All the while responding to our own busy spring. The lack of government investment to actually support and grow, let alone maintain this volunteer capacity, will leave a very dark stain on this government’s legacy.
Due to the fire conditions experienced in NSW requiring their own resources, Victoria has provided the bulk of support to QLD, with more than 540 CFA members being deployed to support firefighting operations over the last couple of months. More than 85% of those resources were in the form of strike team deployments, with 60 volunteers alone contributing to the mammoth logistical exercise of driving our CFA tankers all the way up into Queensland and home again.
To put the CFA contribution into context, CFA accounted for 93% of the entire Victorian contribution to the QLD deployments, including providing two-thirds of the IMT resources.
The professionalism of crews has been outstanding, and I wish to pass on the very high praise received from the QLD authorities and communities which were so grateful to receive our trucks and firefighters in their hours of need. All deployed members have done us proud, and we cannot forget the thousands of additional members at group and brigade level who coordinated deployment rosters and the like, and those that remained available to respond locally in order for these deployments to be possible.
And while not without blemish, campaign logistics overall have been relatively smooth and well received by members. Thank-you to those who have provided feedback on their deployments.
Following our own share of fire activity during spring, we are now as at writing, experiencing a significant rain event across Victoria, with members now responding to localised flooding. And while these rains provide a short reprieve from this year’s fire season, experience tells us that the accelerated growth of fine fuels that will result from these downpours will need to be carefully watched in the warmer and drier months approaching. Early summer rains are not unusual, and while public perception will likely dampen, we need to remain vigilant as we approach the fire danger period.
In a sign of elevated preparedness at the local level, I wish to congratulate all those brigades that have completed this year’s pre-season preparedness work, including the Chief Officer’s mandatory requirements. Our delegates to our Operations Joint Committees were pleased to observe an increase across the board of the number of brigades having completed their requirements which is trending ahead of last year, with more than 16,000 volunteers having already completed their burn over drills and tree hazard awareness in preparation for the FDP. Well done and keep it up. If you have yet to complete your annual skills maintenance, I encourage you to get it in before summer proper returns with a vengeance.
Vale
We were deeply saddened to learn of the tragic in the line of duty death of NSW volunteer Captain Leo Fransen, of the NSW Diamond Beach Rural Fire Brigade. Captain Fransen was tragically struck by a tree whilst fighting the Hudson Fire in northern NSW on the 16th November.
His crew members immediately provided initial treatment until the arrival of paramedics. Captain Fransen was part of a RFS strike team that had been sent to the area from the NSW mid-coast and were on their first day of deployment. The crews were battling the fire in and around the small mining community of Glengarry.
I have passed on our heartfelt condolences on behalf of all CFA volunteers to NSW RFS. We express our deepest sorrow to Captain Fransen’s brigade, and his family including wife Margaret, daughter Julia, son Paul and his extended family and fellow peers across the fire service. We mourn alongside them and stand in solidarity with all our fellow RFS volunteers across NSW during this sad time.
Vol Survey
If you haven’t yet completed this years vol survey, could I please urge you to do so ASAP. The annual survey is one of the single more effective ways for your voice to contribute to making CFA a better place to volunteer. Thousands of voices lend real weight to the issues raised, and our ability to track volunteer morale and sentiment on key areas chosen by volunteers makes a real difference.
When I speak to volunteers who have not done the survey, many tell me they think it makes no difference and believe CFA just ignore us anyway. Let me assure you this could not be further from the truth. And while progress is far slower than anyone would like, those who have been in emergency services for a while will tell you, it takes great persistence and strong advocacy to affect change.
Rather than give up because it’s hard, we are simply driven to push and try twice as hard to move the needle. This is why we need your help, and more voices add credibility and weight to the results. It only takes 10 minutes, but its effects can last for years, so please consider doing it right now while its fresh in your mind. Use the QR code below, or visit vfbv.com.au/cfa
Flood Inquiry
The Parliamentary Inquiry into the 2022 Flood Event in Victoria is continuing with public hearings. You can view extracts of those hearings by visiting the inquiries page on the Parliament of Victoria website.
The emotional and passionate stories from those affected by the floods is both moving and humbling.
We are monitoring the inquiries progress closely. VFBV submitted a comprehensive submission to the inquiry covering the areas of greatest concern to CFA volunteers.
I was distraught to review the hearing featuring representatives from EMV, SES and the Department of Justice and Community Safety, who batted off questions regarding the lack of interagency after action reviews and the disbandment of the volunteer consultative forum with weasel words and empty rhetoric better found on a hallmark card.
If their answers truly represent the level of respect for the views and opinions of volunteer first responders who provide the overwhelming majority of the workforce in battling natural disasters and other emergencies across Victoria, then no wonder volunteer morale is what it is.
To hear EMV brush off the need for an interagency after-action review by claiming they have a “real time monitoring evaluation” system in place is beyond comical. To then throw SES under the bus by then claiming that due to the fact SES was the lead agency it was SES’s responsibility to lead a multiagency AAR, is frankly so far beyond the pale it is incredulous to think anyone would take it seriously.
SES’s response wasn’t much better, but we can at least be sympathetic to the argument that campaign fatigue from any agency that was overwhelmed during a long flood and storm campaign is understandable. Leaving the decision to run a review to the responsible agency smacks of coverup.
Thankfully, it was clear many of the MPs sitting on the Flood Inquiry Committee didn’t buy the dog and pony show either. They were likely heavily influenced by the almost universal criticism from councils, volunteer first responders and non-response agencies who voiced concerns at public hearings. I think MP Wendy Lovell put it best when she said “this will be the first major emergency event in my 21 years in Parliament that I have not seen a multiagency review”. MP Melina Bath was also spot on when she met EMV’s claim about how much they valued the volunteer consultative forum, rebuking that assertion with absolute scepticism asking then why did they abolish it? Yes, actions do speak louder than words.
One only needs to review the government’s submission that claims EMV was created to achieve “efficient governance arrangements that clarify roles and responsibilities, embed cooperation across agencies, and ensure emergency management reform is coordinated across the sector” to appreciate how far it has walked away from its coordinating role.
No one is listening to assurances coming from a government bureaucracy that refuses to engage directly with volunteer first responders and their peak bodies and is more interested in pumping out brochures and media statements than actually supporting, empowering and encouraging its frontline volunteer workforce.
The VFBV Board and State Council have reviewed the sector’s recent approach to engaging in genuine after-action reviews and determined they do not encourage nor facilitate genuine feedback from those on the front line. In conclusion, we have little confidence the sector will prioritise or make genuine attempts to fix it, as it is clear they are not interested in anything that might actually implement some accountability for how volunteers are treated.
With this in mind, VFBV will undertake developing its own volunteer “real time” monitoring systems to support our first responders in providing field-based observations on the topics that affect their morale, welfare and efficiency during campaigns that we will then use to inform public advocacy. And while we should not have to take on this responsibility, we cannot continue to allow Victoria’s emergency management volunteers to be systematically ignored and neglected in Victoria’s emergency management arrangements.
While it is unlikely to be ready for this year’s fire season, we will develop our systems in bite sized chunks and roll it out as we can. Stay tuned, and please never forget, that what you do matters and makes an incredible difference to your communities and those you help.
You are with people on the worst day of their lives, and through your training, commitment and professionalism, you provide what is sometimes the only ray of light and hope in what is otherwise a very dark time. Thank-you for your continued commitment to volunteering, and please stay safe as we again march towards this year’s fire danger period.
Survey now open
This year’s VFBV Volunteer Welfare and Efficiency Survey is open. The survey is an annual snapshot of volunteer opinion, using questions on issues chosen by CFA volunteers. All responses are confidential, but de-identified results go straight to decision makers. Help us make a difference.
The survey measures volunteer opinions on what is important to them and how well CFA is performing according to what they are experiencing, the gap between the measurement of importance and performance is referred to as the Volunteer Welfare and Efficiency Level (VolWEL) outcome.
A high VolWEL is a sign that things are not working well, while a low VolWEL is a sign that things are working well. Any VolWEL over 2.0 indicates a large to critical gap is emerging and volunteers are highly dissatisfied with arrangements requiring priority attention.
Scan the QR code below, or visit the VFBV website to do the survey. Paper copies are also available by calling (03) 9886 1141.
SOP Consultation
We are seeking feedback on revisions to six Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) covering Driving.
These SOPs include: 12.01 Driving or Travelling in CFA and ESO Vehicles; 12.04 Collisions involving CFA Vehicles; 12.05 Safely Recover Disabled CFA Vehicles; 12.06 Non CFA Members in CFA Vehicles; 12.07 CFA Members Driving Private Vehicles; 12.08 Driver Endorsement. Copies of the revised SOPs are available from the VFBV website.
VFBV is seeking broad feedback and comment from volunteers in order to inform and assist with VFBV formal responses to these documents. VFBV District Councils have also been invited to lead local discussion at the District level.
Given the importance of SOPs in CFA’s operational doctrine, VFBV encourages all senior volunteers to make themselves familiar with the proposed changes and provide feedback ASAP.
Unreasonable Complaints Policy
We are seeking feedback on a draft policy proposed by CFA to deal with unreasonable complaints.
CFA advises that unreasonable complaints, while a very small proportion of the total number of complaints, might be directed towards any CFA member (either staff member or volunteer) and arise from several sources (staff member, volunteer, a former member, or members of the public) depending on the nature of the issue and area of CFA’s operations.
CFA is seeking ensure that there is a clear framework in place for defining and managing those circumstances in which a complaint might be considered ‘unreasonable’ that can be clearly communicated to members and the public and ensure it is applied consistently across CFA.
VFBV is seeking broad feedback and comment from volunteers in order to inform and assist with VFBV formal responses to this draft policy. VFBV District Councils have also been invited to lead local discussion at the District level.
State Champs entries
Entries are now open for the 2024 State Championships to be held in Mooroopna over two consecutive weekends in March 2024. The two weekends of competition will be an exciting celebration and showcase of CFA and the championships. All team entries and judge and official nominations will close on Sunday 18th February 2024.
The Urban Junior Championship will take place on the 16 and 17 March, with the Rural Junior, Rural Senior and Urban Senior Championships all taking place the following weekend on 23 and 24 March.
The 2024 State Championships entries will be collected online, please visit the VFBV website for links to enter your team or to register as a judge or official for any of the State Championships. Brigades who haven’t competed previously or used to compete are encouraged to consider entering a team in the 2024 Championships.
Alongside the competition on the tracks, the popular Torchlight Procession will again take place on Saturday 23 March. Participation in the Torchlight Procession is open to brigades competing in the Urban and Rural Senior Championships as well as non-competing brigades. If your brigade is interested in taking part in the Torchlight Procession please contact the VFBV office via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The VFBV website also has information for competing brigades, updated rule books for both the rural and urban competitions as well as lists of the local competitions being conducted in the lead up to the State Championships.
If you require assistance during the requisition process or for more information about the Championships please contact the VFBV office This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 9886 1141.
Presumptive Legislation
In addition to primary site cervical, ovarian and uterine cancer, VFBV is pursuing the further expansion of the scheme to pick up the remaining six cancers that were added to the Commonwealth’s scheme being primary site lung, skin, penile, pancreatic and thyroid cancers and malignant mesothelioma.
VFBV is calling on the Victorian Government to align its scheme to ensure Victorian firefighters enjoy the same protections and support as their federal counterparts, and firefighters in Tasmania and Western Australia.
We have published a national overview table on our website that allows members to compare each of the presumptive schemes in operation across the country. As you will see, Victoria is falling behind other jurisdictions.
VFBV is seeking the support of all government, opposition and minor party MP’s including independents to support the amendments introduced by the Greens, that would see Victoria’s scheme expanded to the same 21 cancers that the Tasmanian government has introduced.
Marking 25 years since Linton
December 2, 2023 marks 25 years since the loss of five Geelong West volunteer firefighters that died during the Linton blaze. The fire had started on private property and spread through more than 600 hectares of bush and farmland. Tragedy struck when a savage wind change swept through earlier than expected.
We honour and remember the loss of firefighters Christopher Evans (27), Garry Vredeveldt (47), Stuart Davidson (28), Jason Thomas (25) and Matthew Armstrong (17).
This devastating loss of five volunteers became the catalyst for improved changes in firefighter training and fireground safety which has potentially saved many lives since.
Some key improvements implemented as a result of the learnings from Linton have been the introduction of low water alarms on fire trucks to inform crews when water is low, the introduction of minimum skills for all firefighters (now known as General Firefighter), improved PPC and equipment as well as new operating procedures for mandatory wind warnings when wind changes are imminent.
On behalf of the VFBV Board, CEO and all members we pay our respects and honour the Geelong West crew of Chris, Garry, Stuart, Jason and Matthew. We give thanks for their devotion to duty and offer our thoughts and prayers for all those affected by this tragic loss 25 years ago.
International Volunteer Day
“If everyone did” is the theme for International Volunteer Day in 2023.
International Volunteer Day is celebrated each year on 5 December as a day to acknowledge volunteers and the spirit of volunteerism. The day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1985, and mandated as an international observance to be celebrated each year on the 5th December.
This year the theme “If everyone did” is a way to recognise the power of collective action. If everyone volunteered the world would be a better place.
We can see each and every day the benefits provided by CFA volunteers going above and beyond to ensure that their local communities and communities right across Victoria and Australia are safe and protected from fire and other emergencies.
Only recently were we again reminded of the strong camaraderie between fire services with CFA volunteers giving up their time to travel interstate on strike teams to protect communities in Queensland.
It’s not just those who serve on the frontline as firefighters who make CFA a better place, it’s also the members who take on other roles such as community safety, administration, fire equipment maintenance or even just ensuring that the trucks are washed and restowed for the next call out. It is also a day to recognise those who take on additional roles with VFBV, such as Brigade or Group Delegate, District Council Executive, State Councillor or as a representative on working parties and VFBV/CFA Joint Committees to ensure that volunteers are represented, and their voice is heard.
Victoria’s volunteer surge capacity provided by CFA volunteers demonstrates the great power and what can be achieved by everyone lending a hand.
CFA’s volunteers show up each and every day with their expertise and experience in often very testing situations. We are proud of all out volunteers and acknowledge the incredible work they do every day in keeping their communities safe and building community resilience for a safer Victoria.
Quarterly Supplement
Included with the December 2023 edition of Fire Wise is the latest edition of the VFBV Quarterly Supplement.
The Quarterly Supplement contains 16 pages of relevant news, updates, information on current issues being pursued by VFBV on behalf of members. It also includes additional resources or updates that are available via our website.
An electronic copy of the Quarterly Supplement can be downloaded here.
Brigade Captains and Secretaries, Group Officers and Group Secretaries as well as VFBV delegates are requested to please take the time to read this and future editions, and table at your upcoming meetings for the benefit and knowledge of your members.
Recent articles on the VFBV website
Now Open – 2023 VFBV Volunteer Survey
Open for Consultation Dashboard
International Volunteer Day 2023
Feedback Requested - Unreasonable Complaints Policy
Feedback Requested – Standard Operating Procedures (Driving)
2024 State Championships – Entries Now Open
Presumptive Legislation Update
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“If everyone did” is the theme for International Volunteer Day in 2023.
International Volunteer Day is celebrated each year on 5 December as a day to acknowledge volunteers and the spirit of volunteerism. The day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1985, and mandated as an international observance to be celebrated each year on the 5th December.
This year the theme “If everyone did” is a way to recognise the power of collective action. If everyone volunteered the world would be a better place.
We can see each and every day the benefits provided by CFA volunteers going above and beyond to ensure that their local communities and communities right across Victoria and Australia are safe and protected from fire and other emergencies.
Only recently were we again reminded of the strong camaraderie between fire services with CFA volunteers giving up their time to travel interstate on strike teams to protect communities in Queensland.
It’s not just those who serve on the frontline as firefighters who make CFA a better place, it’s also the members who take on other roles such as community safety, administration, fire equipment maintenance or even just ensuring that the trucks are washed and restowed for the next call out. It is also a day to recognise those who take on additional roles with VFBV, such as Brigade or Group Delegate, District Council Executive, State Councillor or as a representative on working parties and VFBV/CFA Joint Committees to ensure that volunteers are represented, and their voice is heard.
The 3V’s project conservatively estimated that emergency management volunteers contribute between $1.9 and $2.5 billion to Victoria each and every year.
VFBV CEO Adam Barnett thanked all CFA volunteers for setting an example and demonstrating how the impact of what can be achieved if everyone volunteered.
“The contribution of CFA’s 55,000 volunteers along with other emergency service volunteers in Victoria cannot be underestimated.”
“Victoria’s volunteer surge capacity provided by CFA volunteers demonstrates the great power and what can be achieved by everyone lending a hand.”
“CFA’s volunteers show up each and every day with their expertise and experience in often very testing situations. We are proud of all out volunteers and acknowledge the incredible work they do every day in keeping their communities safe and building community resilience for a safer Victoria.” Mr Barnett said.
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About VFBV: VFBV is established under the Country Fire Authority Act and is the peak body for CFA volunteers in Victoria. VFBV works tirelessly to represent, advocate and support CFA volunteers to the CFA Board and management, governments, ministers, members of parliament, councils, instrumentalities, businesses and the public. Our vision is for Strong Volunteerism, Embraced to Build Community Resilience for a Safer Victoria. |
December 2, 2023 marks 25 years since the loss of five Geelong West volunteer firefighters that died during the Linton blaze. The fire had started on private property and spread through more than 600 hectares of bush and farmland. Tragedy struck when a savage wind change swept through earlier than expected.
We honour and remember the loss of firefighters Christopher Evans (27), Garry Vredeveldt (47), Stuart Davidson (28), Jason Thomas (25) and Matthew Armstrong (17).
To remember the five members of their brigade, members of the Geelong West Fire Brigade will hold a memorial service on Saturday 2nd December at the Geelong West Memorial Park with members of emergency services and the wideer community coming together to mark the 25th anniversary.
On 2nd December 1998 a bushfire burned through private land and State Forrest near the township of Linton. At approximately 8:45pm two CFA tankers and their crews were trapped and engulfed in fire following an unexpected wind change. The crew of one of those trucks – the five members from Geelong West brigade were tragically lost.
This devastating loss of five volunteers became the catalyst for improved changes in firefighter training and fireground safety which has potentially saved many lives since.
Some key improvements implemented as a result of the learnings from Linton have been the introduction of low water alarms on fire trucks to inform crews when water is low, the introduction of minimum skills for all firefighters (now known as General Firefighter), improved PPC and equipment as well as new operating procedures for mandatory wind warnings when wind changes are imminent.
On behalf of the VFBV Board, CEO and all members we pay our respects and honour the Geelong West crew of Chris, Garry, Stuart, Jason and Matthew. We give thanks for their devotion to duty and offer our thoughts and prayers for all those affected by this tragic loss 25 years ago.
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1800 959 232 Providing CFA members and their immediate family access to 24 hour support, 7 days a week. |
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Formal consultation has commenced on a new CFA Policy to cover 'Unreasonable Complaints'.
The proposed draft policy is available for download from the bottom of this page.
For the purposes of consultation, CFA has provided the following background information on why this policy has been developed:
CFA is committed to ensuring that appropriate processes for managing legitimate complaints are in place in respect of all aspects of CFA’s operations and, as you know, CFA continues to work on improving the accessibility and transparency of our issues, resolution, and complaints management processes.
Unfortunately, from time to time, CFA has been subject to complaints that it considers unreasonable. ‘Unreasonable complaints ’can take several forms. One example is a circumstance in which an original complaint has been addressed in accordance with correct process and been subject to relevant (and potentially multiple) review processes, but the complainant continues to be dissatisfied with the outcome or the approach taken. Another is a situation in which a person disagrees with a proper decision made by CFA in accordance with its legislative responsibilities and the person makes inappropriate, repeated, sustained and/or escalated requests for an alternative decision. In both examples, repeated complaints continue and/or escalated behaviour may be directed towards CFA staff members or volunteers,
including verbal abuse, threats, intimidation or harassment.
Unreasonable complaints might be directed towards any CFA member (either staff member or volunteer) and arise from several sources (staff member, volunteer, a former member, or members of the public) depending on the nature of the issue and area of CFA’s operations.
Although we believe they constitute only a very small proportion of the total number of complaints that CFA receive, when they do occur they have a significant organisational impost and detract from CFA’s capacity to address more legitimate matters. In the most extreme
circumstances, unreasonable complaints can constitute a workplace health and safety risk to CFA members and/or constitute illegal behaviour.
We are seeking to ensure that there is a clear framework in place for defining and managing those circumstances in which a complaint might be considered ‘unreasonable’ that can be clearly communicated to members and the public and ensure it is applied consistently across CFA.
CFA is committed to ensuring that all complaints are taken seriously, that appropriate complaint processes are correctly followed and that complainants continue to have access to services from CFA where this is relevant. However, the draft policy seeks to balance this with the need to ensure that CFA staff and volunteers are not subjected to unreasonable behaviour on an ongoing basis, particularly where such behaviour may constitute a risk to health and safety.
We have identified that the absence of a formal policy on how unreasonable complaintswill be managed by CFA has created some uncertainty for those who have experienced sustained and/or repeated adverse behaviour from a complainant about when and how such matters should be escalated and/or will be managed. Nor is there clarity for complainants themselves about the actions that CFA will consider when a complaint is considered unreasonable.
In developing the policy, CFA has largely followed the model policies of the Victorian and NSW Ombudsman’s offices for dealing with such matters and drawn on other recommended resources/examples as needed. Where relevant, we have endeavoured to ensure that the
policy is contextualised to CFA’s operating environment.
Importantly, the policy seeks to build on the foundations of our Behavioural Standards by providing further clarity on how CFA will respond to unreasonable behaviour, including from non (or former) members, and the potential consequences to servicing arrangements.
The Ombudsman’s offices variously use language such as ‘unreasonable’, ‘querulent’ or ‘vexatious’ depending on the type of complaint and nature of the complaint. CFA’s draft policy is encompassing of each of these.
Members are encouraged to review the proposed draft policy and provide any feedback/suggestions/amendments including indicating support/non-support for the proposed policy.
Feedback can be provided by individuals, brigades and groups.
All feedback is used to inform and influence formal VFBV positions as well as used to influence CFA positions and thinking during the deliberative process. If we need to use your feedback to demonstrate or illustrate the views of members, your personal details will not be shared with CFA, and feedback will always be de-identified to protect your privacy.
We encourage members not to wait until deadlines to provide feedback, but rather provide it as early as possible which will give us a chance to conduct further research that may assist us being able to advocate more strongly for your desired outcome.
All members are welcome and encouraged to provide feedback. If you have any questions, please contact your local State Councilor or VFBV Support Officer in the first instance.
How to provide feedback:
It would be preferred that members provide feedback ASAP, so that it can be received incrementally, allowing us enough time to consolidate, identify trends and research issues raised by members.
Feedback can be provided via:
- Emailing to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Your local VFBV District Council or your local VFBV Support Officer
- By Post: 9/24 Lakeside Drive, Burwood East VIC 3151
- By Fax: (03) 9886 1618
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.
Where indicating non-support, it would be helpful to understand the key reasons why, and even a couple of brief bullet points would be adequate. Likewise, if you would prefer to provide a more detailed response, or mark-up and suggest changes to the documents, that is welcome also.
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.
Feedback Requested - Standard Operating Procedures (Driving)
Written by VFBV
Formal consultation has commenced on six updated Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) covering driving doctrine.
The proposed draft SOP's are available for download from the bottom of this page and contain:
- SOP 12.01 Driving or Traveling in CFA and ESO Vehicles
- SOP 12.04 Collisions involving CFA Vehicles
- SOP 12.05 Safely Recover Disabled CFA Vehicles
- SOP 12.06 Non CFA Members in CFA Vehicles
- SOP 12.07 CFA Members Driving Private Vehicles
- SOP 12.08 Driver Endorsement
CFA Overview of Changes
• Drive and travel in CFA or ESO vehicles, Drive under emergency response conditions and Driver fatigue and record-keeping have been combined into a single Drive and travel in CFA or ESO vehicles procedure. This creates a cohesive single procedure that allows members to understand what we are asking of them and aligns better with interstate doctrine.
• Some language has been lifted up to be more flexible and principles based. This is to support dynamic decision making by our people in the field.
• Defined Code 3 response.
• Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) sections have been re-written to make the easier to understand and incorporate the new log book exemption. Note - an updated log book that has been approved by the regulator will be issued to support these requirements with an updated weekly check list to align with the regulator pre-drive checklist.
• A table of HVNL examples to help members understand the practical implications has been developed.
• Minor updates to the collision process to increase reporting and CFA Safe recording.
• Inclusion of a dynamic risk assessment for members attending incidents when ‘going direct’ in a private vehicle.
• A brand new endorsement process.
Members are encouraged to review the draft endorsement process, as this represents the largest change to doctrine from a member impact perspective. CFA has advised the endorsement process:
• Aims to be as simple as possible and that leaves the power to endorse at the appropriate level while allowing for suspension / appeal if required.
• Implements a state standard endorsement that transfers with the member.
• A specific timeline has been proposed to implement the minimum endorsement standards proposed.
• CFA is developing systems and processes to record drivers licence numbers and endorsements. Those requirements are articulated in the procedure however the back end work for this is ongoing.
In particular, we encourage members to provide feedback on if they think the endorsement process is clear and reasonable, and if the proposed timeline for implementation is achievable.
Members are encouraged to review the revised SOP's and provide any feedback/suggestions/amendments including indicating support/non-support for the proposed policies.
Feedback can be provided by individuals, brigades and groups.
All feedback is used to inform and influence formal VFBV positions as well as used to influence CFA positions and thinking during the deliberative process. If we need to use your feedback to demonstrate or illustrate the views of members, your personal details will not be shared with CFA, and feedback will always be de-identified to protect your privacy.
We encourage members not to wait until deadlines to provide feedback, but rather provide it as early as possible which will give us a chance to conduct further research that may assist us being able to advocate more strongly for your desired outcome.
Feedback due dates on these SOP's are yet to be determined due to the number of items currently out for consultation. But we encourage members to respond ASAP.
All members are welcome and encouraged to provide feedback. If you have any questions, please contact your local State Councilor or VFBV Support Officer in the first instance.
How to provide feedback:
It would be preferred that members provide feedback ASAP, so that it can be received incrementally, allowing us enough time to consolidate, identify trends and research issues raised by members.
Feedback can be provided via:
- Emailing to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Your local VFBV District Council or your local VFBV Support Officer
- By Post: 9/24 Lakeside Drive, Burwood East VIC 3151
- By Fax: (03) 9886 1618
- For those that prefer to answer a survey to provide feedback, two survey's have been developed for the SOP's with the most significant changes:
SOP 12.01 - Driving or Traveling in CFA and ESO Vehicles: Survey - https://survey.zohopublic.com.au/zs/XQEF6R
SOP 12.08 - Driver Endorsement: Survey - https://survey.zohopublic.com.au/zs/WPEFPK
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.
Where indicating non-support, it would be helpful to understand the key reasons why, and even a couple of brief bullet points would be adequate. Likewise, if you would prefer to provide a more detailed response, or mark-up and suggest changes to the documents, that is welcome also.
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.
The Minister for Emergency Services the Hon Jaclyn Symes recently announced the successful projects for the Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP) 2023/24.
VFBV would like to congratulate the 143 brigades and groups that have been successful in this round of VESEP, a list of the successful projects can be downloaded from the bottom of this page.
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.
VESEP grants help fund much needed new and upgrades to operational equipment, vehicles and appliances and minor facility improvements for brigades and groups in every district across the state.
To any brigade or group who was unsuccessful in this year’s allocation, it is recommended you contact your District office to ascertain what improvements could be made to your application for the next round of grants.
Once again congratulations to all the successful brigades and groups.
Entries have opened for the 2024 State Championships, as with previous years entries and judge and official nominations for all State Championships will be collected online.
The 2024 State Championship dates are:
State Urban Junior Championship Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th March 2024
State Urban Senior Championship Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th March 2024
State Rural Senior Championship Saturday 23rd March 2024
State Rural Junior Championship Sunday 24th March 2024
Entries for all State Championships close on Sunday 18th February 2024. Please note that it is unlikely that late entries will be accepted.
State Rural Championships - Junior & Senior
Team Entries and Registration
The brigade member responsible for completing their team’s entry should complete this form: https://tinyurl.com/2024-entry-eoi
A link to the entry form will then be sent to you (please note that this is not sent automatically and therefore should be requested sooner rather than later). Entry forms need to be completed by Sunday 18th February 2024.
The entry form should only be requested by the member responsible for completing the team’s entry.
Judge and Officials Nominations
All Judges and Officials nominations are to be submitted here: https://tinyurl.com/2024-rural-judge
Please note that you do not need to register as an official for the Rural State Championships if you are nominating to be part of the make up crews, this information is collected via the Team entry forms.
Information for Completing Brigades
A memo with information for competing brigades can be downloaded from the bottom of this page. It includes information on the updated rule book, local competition dates, outstanding female team award and information about the Torchlight Procession which will once again be held at the 2024 State Championships on Saturday evening.
Updated Rule Book
The State Competition Committee have approved changes to the Rule Book at their October 2023 meeting. The changes approved by the Committee include Event 2 reverting back to the previous rules and updates to target positions in Events 5 and 6.
A copy of the updated rule book can be downloaded from the VFBV website here.
State Urban Championships - Junior & Senior
Team entries
The brigade member responsible for completing their team’s entry should complete this form: https://tinyurl.com/2024-entry-eoi
A link to the entry form will then be sent to you (please note that this is not sent automatically and therefore should be requested sooner rather than later). The entry forms need to be completed by Sunday 18th February.
The entry form should only be requested by the member responsible for completing the team’s entry.
Judge and Official Nominations
All Judges and Officials nominations are to be submitted here: https://tinyurl.com/2024-urban-judge
Information for Competing Brigades
The December 2023 Memo from the Competition and Rules Committee to Competing Brigades and Competition Associations can be downloaded from the bottom of this page. The Memo includes the rule book updates, local competition dates and reminders about borrowing for the female aggregate events.
Rule Book
The updated rule book can be downloaded from the VFBV website the 2023 changes include changes to the rules for the Hydrant Race, Hydrant and Tanker – 4 Competitors Event and Pumper and Ladder – 5 Competitors Event as well as clarification on the allocation of points at the Urban Senior Championship.
Queries and Assistance with Entries and Judge/Official Nominations
If you have any problems accessing the online forms, please contact either the VFBV office via email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 03 9886 1141 or Jen at CFA via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0448 459 132.
Please note if you have query, there will be limited response over the Christmas/New Year period however you will receive a response as soon as possible after this time.
VFBV is saddened to advise that a NSW volunteer firefighter lost their life in the line of duty fighting a fire near Walgett in Northern NSW.
The RFS volunteer was working on the Hudson fire in the Walgett region when he was struck by a falling tree. Fellow RFS members rendered first aid until ambulance crews arrived – the patient was then transported to a Lightening Ridge medical facility where he tragically passed away.
Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the RFS volunteers family, loved ones and peers during this sad time.
On behalf of VFBV, CFA volunteers and all members we express our deepest sorrow and pass on our heartfelt thoughts and prayers. We mourn alongside our NSW firefighter brethren for this devastating loss.
Adam Barnett, Chief Executive Officer
Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria
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CFA WELLBEING SUPPORT LINE |
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1800 959 232 |
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Providing CFA members and their immediate family access to 24 hour support 7 days a week. |
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Psychologists – Counsellors – Peer Support - Chaplains |
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Policy should help not hinder
By Adam Barnett, VFBV Chief Executive Officer
It is clear from the fire seasons being experienced in Queensland and NSW so far this spring that this year’s fire season here in Victoria is more likely than not to be a return to a longer and busier season ahead.
Given any fire season in Victoria has the potential to be ferocious, preparation and planning is as always – key.
And while our community facing messaging is focussed on ensuring communities and residents focus on making their fire plans, it is a timely reminder about the importance of our own planning as volunteers to ensure we are at full operational readiness for the season ahead.
Now is a great time to refresh your plan for your own family outlining what they are going to do if you are called away. Also now is a good time to have those discussions with your employer about what flexibility you might have to be able to respond during the fire season. And from a brigade perspective, now is a great time to ensure all operational members have completed their Chief Officer’s mandatory requirements and burn over drill. Get it over and done with before the silly season to ensure you’re not trying to balance holiday commitments with fire season preparedness activities.
It is also a busy time from a consultation perspective, with multiple items open for feedback. Don’t forget to regularly check our consultation dashboard on the VFBV website.
Last month we closed the feedback on CFA’s draft proposals to update the brigade/ group financial governance policies with CFA proposing six new policies. State Council spent considerable time considering the feedback and studying volunteer responses.
It is clear from the feedback that volunteer morale continues to be significantly impacted, and volunteer feedback was dominated by complaints about additional bureaucracy and aspects that some described as petty. From an overall perspective, the policy suite only enjoyed a very low 37% satisfaction score.
The difficult part for us when we are confronted with such overwhelming negative feedback is navigating the subsequent conversations with CFA and trying to convince them to revisit their base assumptions. While CFA has been known to shoot the messenger in the past, I do have confidence that there is a maturity among the new executive team to take the feedback constructively and work though the issues.
The feedback reinforces my view that CFA volunteers are not opposed to change but are deeply cynical about constant changes floated without any analysis or evidence quantifying the problem that is trying to be fixed. The case for change, or more succinctly the complete lack of a case for change to accompany the proposals does not help. I suspect volunteers would be far more open to change if they were let in on how the proposed changes will actually result in a demonstrable improvement.
As I was going through the hundreds of individual items of volunteer feedback, I was reminded of the famous quotes attributed to American author Mark Twain and American poet Robert Frost “A bank is a place where they lend you an umbrella in fair weather and ask for it back again when it begins to rain.”
Volunteer feedback continues to highlight the disconnect between CFA policy and what brigades and groups think the organisation should be doing to better support them where and when they need it.
The fact of the matter is CFA is chronically underfunded, and it is its volunteers who not only donate their time to provide CFA’s services to their communities, but at the same time give up even more of their precious time to have to fundraise to purchase and upgrade the very same basic equipment, trucks, stations and protective clothing that the government routinely provides to its paid services.
Now this lack of funding isn’t the fault of CFA management. That responsibility falls squarely on government. However, it does provide important context on how volunteers are going to react when CFA proposed policy starts reaching across and trying to control the very things brigades are being forced to do just to survive.
At the end of the day, brigades will do what they can to ensure their communities have the resources and equipment needed to protect themselves from fire and other emergencies. CFA should either help, or at the very least get out of the way.
It is not until you look at CFA’s proposed finance policies from this perspective, that you start to appreciate the pent-up anger and frustration volunteers express towards CFA policy that just makes things harder.
I have yet to meet a brigade that does not believe in strong financial governance, and the importance of ensuring community funds are used responsibly and to best effect. But to think that this would be better achieved by pages and pages of policy and red tape just fails to pass muster.
The most frequent criticism by volunteers to the draft policies was the perception that CFA is trying to treat its volunteers as public servants. Many volunteers were perplexed at why it was so remarkable to think that policies written for a large government bureaucracy like the VPS, who spend hundreds of millions of taxpayer funds may look and be different to small community fire brigades that do their own fundraising and in of themselves generate more than $2.6 billion dollars of public value to the State of Victoria through their volunteer efforts alone. They are not a drain on the public purse, in fact they are one of the very few that actually add value back into the system.
Is it really such a foreign concept to state the obvious and ensure CFA volunteers are not treated like Victorian public servants? There are no government departments I am aware that pass around a hat to all its employees so the staff can donate their own money to buy the pens, paper and photocopier used in their government funded workplace. I don’t recall ever seeing a public servant giving up their personal time to fundraise for public donations so they could replace their government issued fleet vehicle. I don’t recall seeing police officers requested to buy their own guns or fundraise for their highway patrol cars. When were paramedics asked to buy their own first aid kits, defibrillators let alone their own ambulances? I also can’t remember seeing defence force personnel being asked to purchase their own dress uniforms. So why on earth would anyone think it is ok that volunteer firefighters should have to fight and fundraise to buy their own fire trucks, fire stations and protective equipment?
The volunteer feedback was littered with these comparisons and pointing out the tone deafness in some of the proposed policies. Volunteers must fund their own welfare account and annual awards nights. Excuse me? These examples start to illustrate and explain the depth of anger and frustration evident in the volunteer feedback to the draft policies. Not all the feedback was bad mind you, and many aspects of the policies were seen as common sense and practical, yet there were a handful of positions and policy statements that simply incensed volunteers, and fair enough too.
VFBV has now formally submitted its feedback to CFA and have requested the policies be reconsidered, and that the tone and language used throughout is less condescending. For example, rather than “permitting” brigades to apply for grants or sponsorship, we have suggested brigades should be empowered by being “authorised.”
VFBV has also reinforced its long-held position of desiring a minimally effective regulatory regime. In other words, we believe CFA policy to be more effective if red tape and bureaucracy is minimised, and that policy contains only the fewest number of rules, requirements, obligations and procedures to achieve the desired outcome. Additional obligations should only be imposed where there is a clear need, and a measurable benefit to justify its impost.
Volunteers have asked for greater flexibility, and for rules to better cater to the diverse range and size of brigades, rather than simply thinking a one size fits all will work for everyone. For example, a brigade financial plan for a large brigade is likely to look very different to a small brigade whose only income is their $350 annual brigade allowance.
Similarly, volunteers have opposed a ban on brigades being able to donate to worthy community causes such as a bushfire relief funds, especially from brigade income derived by volunteers providing their services under commercial arrangements, such as business paying for fire equipment maintenance and servicing of extinguishers.
This income is generated by volunteers on a fee for service basis, and its expenditure should remain at the discretion of the brigade. CFA often benefits from the community’s generosity, is it so hard to think brigades may want to pay that forward?
We will attempt to work constructively with CFA to revise the policies and will keep you informed of progress. We can’t do it without you though, and I again thank all those that provided their feedback. It has made a big difference and is being used to help affect real change.
Survey now open
This year’s VFBV Volunteer Welfare and Efficiency Survey is open.
The survey is an annual snapshot of volunteer opinion, using questions on issues chosen by CFA volunteers. All responses are confidential, but de-identified results go straight to decision makers. Help us make a difference.
The survey measures volunteer opinions on what is important to them and how well CFA is performing according to what they are experiencing, the gap between the measurement of importance and performance is referred to as the Volunteer Welfare and Efficiency Level (VolWEL) outcome.
A high VolWEL is a sign that things are not working well, while a low VolWEL is a sign that things are working well. Any VolWEL over 2.0 indicates a large to critical gap is emerging and volunteers are highly dissatisfied with arrangements requiring priority attention.
Scan the QR code below, or visit the VFBV website to do the survey. Paper copies are also available by calling (03) 9886 1141.
Joint Committee EOI
We are seeking expressions of interest from volunteers to nominate to the CFA/VFBV Joint Committee’s for the 2024 calendar year.
If you feel you can contribute and have the time and want to be an integral part of our Joint Committee process – then please visit our website or talk to your local VFBV State Councillor or VFBV Support Officer for a nomination form.
Nominations are due 20th November 2023.
We are seeking volunteers from broad and diverse backgrounds to participate in our consultative structures. Young members, women and members of culturally diverse backgrounds are highly encouraged to nominate. If you would like to learn more about what the role entails and how to get involved, please contact your local VFBV Support Officer, State Councillor or Executive Officer Mark Dryden.
SOP Consultation
We are seeking feedback on revisions to six Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
These SOPs include: 6.02 Crew Composition (16 and 17 year olds); 6.05 Helmet identification; 9.15 Mayday and Hostile Acts Radio Signals; 9.32 Entrapment Procedure for Appliances; 10.03 Asbestos Incidents; and 14.06 Notification of Injuries and Fatalities.
VFBV is seeking broad feedback and comment from volunteers in order to inform and assist with VFBV formal responses to these documents.
VFBV District Councils have also been invited to lead local discussion at the District level.
The draft SOPs and closing dates are available from the VFBV website and your local District Council. Simple feedback surveys are also available to assist members provide feedback.
Feedback survey’s currently available are:
SOP 6.05 Helmet Identification – closes Monday 13 November
SOP 14.06 Notification of Injuries and Fatalities – closes Monday 13 November
SOP 6.02 Crew Composition (16 and 17 year olds) – closes Monday 4 December
Given the importance of SOPs in CFA’s operational doctrine, VFBV encourages all senior volunteers to make themselves familiar with the proposed changes and provide feedback ASAP.
Board Elections
Following the October AGM, the VFBV Board has met and held its annual elections. Samantha Collins has been re-elected as State President, Andy Cusack AFSM has been re-elected as State Vice President, and Libby Hay has been re-elected as Treasurer.
State Council also welcomed two new Board members, Mandy Straw from District 5, and Danielle Watkins from District 9 who were appointed by the State Council Executive interview panel to replace retiring board members Jan Cleary and David Sidebottom.
Mandy is a volunteer firefighter with the Gazette Fire Brigade, DGO1 for Mt Rouse Group and Chair of the District 5 Health Safety and Environment Committee.
Danielle is a volunteer firefighter with the Warragul Fire Brigade and Chair of the South East regions Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council and rep to the District 9 DPC.
State Council also held elections for the two ex-officio members who are appointed by State Council for a one-year term to the VFBV Board, with both Graeme Jilbert (District 18) and Howard Smith (District 24) re-elected to the Board for a further term.
Congratulations to all office holders, and a warm welcome to both Mandy and Danielle to the Board and a very big thank-you to all retiring members for their valued contributions over the past year.
Emergency Services Foundation Scholarships
Applications are now open for the Emergency Services Foundation (ESF) Scholarships.
The ESF scholarship program provides an opportunity for volunteers and paid staff from Victoria’s emergency services to undertake a study tour that will lead to improvements in Victoria’s emergency management sector. ESF has also partnered with Rotary in 2023 to sponsor an additional two scholarships.
The focus of the ESF scholarships in recent years has shifted towards focusing on applications that address gaps in mental health and wellbeing knowledge.
Applications close 19 November 2023 and successful applicants will be announced by the end of the year.
For more information on the scholarships please visit the VFBV website.
Interstate Deployments
CFA are currently supporting deployments in three States.
Five strike teams are currently deployed into Queensland, as well as members contributing to three incident Management Teams (IMT’s) to support the resourcing for Toowoomba and Rockhampton regions.
CFA have also deployed four CFA air attack supervisors and one aircraft officer to Queensland, with another Air Attack Supervisor deployed to New South Wales.
Two volunteer instructors have also been deployed to the Northern Territory to assist in the training of Park Rangers and firefighters in Alice Springs and Darwin.
Thank-you to all members who have contributed or facilitated these interstate deployments. We wish all crews safe travels. Thank you to all remaining members who continue to remain behind and on-call within Victoria that allows these members to be deployed afar while our own communities remain protected. This is the benefit of volunteer surge capacity and the critical role it plays in not just keeping Victoria safe, but Australia as well.
Presumptive Legislation
In addition to primary site cervical, ovarian and uterine cancer, VFBV is pursuing the further expansion of the scheme to pick up the remaining six cancers that were added to the Commonwealth’s scheme being primary site lung, skin, penile, pancreatic and thyroid cancers and malignant mesothelioma.
VFBV is calling on the Victorian Government to align its scheme to ensure Victorian firefighters enjoy the same protections and support as their federal counterparts.
We have published a national overview table on our website that allows members to compare each of the presumptive schemes in operation across the country. As you will see, Victoria is falling behind other jurisdictions.
VFBV is seeking the support of all government, opposition and minor party MP’s including independents to support the amendments introduced by the Greens, that would see Victoria’s scheme expanded to the same 21 cancers that the Tasmanian government has introduced.
Fire Wise – November 2023 online only edition
The November 2023 edition of Fire Wise has been published online only, this edition and past editions are available from the Fire Wise website.
You can support Fire Wise and role it plays as an independent voice in keeping volunteers informed by becoming a subscriber. To become a Fire Wise 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.
Recent articles on the VFBV website
Open for Consultation Dashboard
2023 VFBV Volunteer Survey – Now Open
2024 VFBV/CFA Joint Committee District Nominees Expression of Interest
Presumptive Legislation Update
Feedback Requested – Standard Operating Procedures
2023/24 Urban competitions and updated rule book
Emergency Services Foundation Scholarships
Enjoy the VFBV monthly newsletter?
If you enjoy reading the VFBV newsletter each month, why not share it with your fellow volunteers?
Either share this page with others who may enjoy the articles or encourage other volunteers to sign up to receive their own copy via email each month here.
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.
We are tens of thousands of Victorians, committed to protecting lives and property.
We are skilled, determined and here to serve Victorians now and into the future.
We are from the community and for the community.
We are CFA.
Watch the 'Our Community, our CFA' video here.
Watch the short video to gain an appreciation and understanding of Victoria's iconic CFA, one of the largest and most professional volunteer emergency services in the world. Excerpts from the video journey are displayed below to help you reflect on the incredible fire service built by volunteers with selfless grit and determination to benefit their communities and the Victorian public.
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We are determined |
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We are community focused |
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We are trusted and reliable |
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We draw strength through diversity |
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Are made up of more than 50,000 committed members |
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Across 1,217 volunteer fire brigades |
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Proudly serving over 4 Million Victorians |
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Representing Victorian Spirit from every corner of the State |
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We respond to bushfires |
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...and house fires |
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We provide community education both before, during and after emergencies |
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We provide road crash rescue |
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And respond to more than 33,000 incidents every year |
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We respond wherever we're needed |
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We assist communities prepare for emergencies |
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Across more than 224,000 squared kilometers of Victoria |
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We are highly trained |
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We use research and evidence to guide our decision making |
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We provide valuable local knowledge before, during and after emergencies |
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We are experienced across all landscapes |
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We have broad and diverse skill sets |
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And have flexible and inclusive roles to encourage diversity of skills, people, thought and gender |
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We are born from the communities we serve providing strong community roots |
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We are focused on prevention... |
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...that stretches far beyond just initial emergency response |
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CFA has been operating for more than 75 years and volunteer fire brigades existed well before that |
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We have stood by our communities through Victoria's darkest days |
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We have evolved over time with our communities |
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We are a progressive emergency service |
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Adapting to changing climates and new threats |
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We are ready for the future and our next chapter as a proud fully volunteer fire service |
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Our people... |
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...are what makes... |
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...CFA what it is today |
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Our Community. Our CFA |
The 2023 VFBV Volunteer Survey is now open for all CFA volunteers to take part.
The survey is an annual snapshot of volunteer opinion, using questions on issues chosen by CFA volunteers. It is one of the key opportunities for CFA volunteers to have their voices both individually and collectively heard.
The results from the survey will directly influence the upcoming years priority actions while also tracking trends in volunteer opinion. VFBV’s advocacy for volunteers depends on robust volunteer feedback to help inform decision makers of the issues of most importance.
The survey takes only 10 – 15 minutes to complete and all answers and comments provided are confidential, but the results go straight to decision markers at CFA and Government.
The VFBV Volunteer Survey is a critical and reliable method to capture the views of volunteers as well as monitoring short-and-long term trends and the effectiveness of initiatives aimed at improving CFA. A summary of the 2022 survey results was published in the June 2023 edition of the VFBV Quarterly Supplement which can be downloaded here.
You can also help us by spreading the word and encouraging other volunteers to respond to the survey – the more responses, the more impact the results will have, so please encourage other volunteers to take part.
If you have any questions about the survey – please contact your local VFBV Support Officer or the VFBV office.
We are also able to send out paper copies of the survey to members who do not have internet access, please contact the VFBV office on (03) 9886 1141 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to arrange a copy to be posted out.
Applications are now open for the Emergency Services Foundation (ESF) Scholarships.
The ESF scholarship program provides an opportunity for volunteers and paid staff from Victoria’s emergency services to undertake a study tour that will lead to improvements in Victoria’s emergency management sector. ESF has also partnered with Rotary in 2023 to sponsor an additional two scholarships.
The focus of the ESF scholarships in recent years has shifted towards focusing on applications that address gaps in mental health and wellbeing knowledge.
ESF scholarships are not for the completion of tertiary or other qualifications, but instead scholarship funds are to be used for economy class air travel, travel insurance, accommodation and meal allowances while undertaking a study tour.
Scholarship recipients must complete a written report on their study as well as presenting findings of your study to the sector which may take place at the Emergency Management Conference, a webinar and social media.
Applications close 19 November 2023 and successful applicants will be announced by the end of the year.
To apply for a scholarship you will need to provide:
- details of the problem/issue you wish to study
- evidence of the problem/issue you have identified
- why you are interested in the topic
- objectives you want to achieve
- your intended travel destination(s) to undertake the study and why this location(s) were selected
- any relevant credentials you have
- proposed travel dates and quotes for travel insurance and air travel
- evidence of your application being supported by your agency.
For more information or to apply for a scholarship please visit the ESF website.
