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SOP Feedback - Response to Solar Facilities and Working Near Electrical Structures
Written by VFBV
Formal consultation has commenced on two new proposed Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) relating to responding to Solar Facilities and Working Near Electrical Structures/Conductors.
The proposed draft SOP's are available for download from the bottom of this page and contain:
SOP 10.30 Response at Solar Facilities
SOP 11.04 Working Near Electrical Structures/Conductors
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.
We have developed a survey for each SOP that walks members through each clause and provides a simple way to provide feedback.
SOP 10.30 Response at Solar Facilities: https://survey.zohopublic.com.au/zs/GfDTpx
SOP 11.04 Working Near Electrical Structures/Conductors: https://survey.zohopublic.com.au/zs/AzDTJ6
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 is due by Monday 18th November. 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.
- Complete the survey for each SOP:
SOP 10.30: https://survey.zohopublic.com.au/zs/GfDTpx
SOP 11.04: https://survey.zohopublic.com.au/zs/AzDTJ6 - 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.
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 Loop
By Adam Barnett, VFBV Chief Executive Officer
Consistency and remaining on message are two of the most crucial elements of successful advocacy. Given our principles and expectations of CFA are laid out for all to read in the Volunteer Charter, I am sometimes somewhat bemused at people who are surprised by volunteer reaction to some policy proposals. Anyone bothering to do a small amount of research should be able to roughly estimate whether something is likely to be warmly received, or alternatively detested and rejected.
Therefore, one of the things that makes me particularly cranky is when I hear people accusing volunteers of not embracing change. Rubbish.
CFA volunteers are not against change. They are against pointless change and change for changes sake, or change that has not been thought out, is not resourced or funded, or is simply unachievable.
The Charter provides six fairly simple principles: (1) Is it fair? (2) Is it just? (3) Is it reasonable? (4) Does it discriminate? (5) Is it practicable and sustainable? And finally, (6) Is it in the best interests of the community?
And when evaluating change against these principles, volunteers are not going to fall for corporate or political spin that asks them to suspend all reality, and they will not blindly just go along with something because someone thinks its trendy. And honestly, who can blame them?
Volunteer firefighters have protected their communities from fire and other disasters since time immemorial, and most reviews into disasters rarely find issues with the local response or brigade, but rather the systems, processes or interventions forced upon them by bureaucrats and administrators.
So, know - that when you propose a changed policy or arrangement, volunteers will evaluate it with full candour and unapologetic pragmatism. If you are only interested in policy that works, is sustainable and makes a positive difference – then this should not alarm you.
As volunteer firefighters, we work in a complex and dangerous sector and are dealing with risks that constantly change and require dynamic risk assessments. Our assessment of corporate policy is not going to be any different.
Therefore, it should surprise no one that simply proposing changes based on the “vibe”, and without any evidence base, without sharing any research or analysis about the problem trying to be solved, how the solution will supposedly fix it or the simple matter of bringing people along on the journey – the only people that should be surprised by volunteer resistance are the people probably most to blame for their idea flopping in the first place. Themselves.
What if the reason volunteers rejected the idea was simply because it was a dumb idea or simply wouldn’t work. Sounds like a pretty reasonable reason to me.
Volunteers are actually champions of change – changes that makes things simpler, quicker, more efficient and achieve better outcomes. Why then is it always so hard to get agencies to adopt these changes when we ask? So if you ask me who is more resistant to change – the agency or its volunteers, I know which one I’d pick.
In fact – brigades adapt faster to the changing risk profile of their communities than anyone else. In fact – the fire services as a whole often take years to catch-up. Almost every single retrofit or statewide program has followed one or more brigades proving a concept or demonstrating a need that finally leads to a statewide program or funding. The fact that volunteers did their own tests, procured and fundraised for their own equipment to make something work – often gets overlooked – but make no mistake – these are the ingenious origin stories to which most of the big advances in technology or fire service processes have sprung.
Therefore, I would like to sincerely thank members for their continued discipline in responding to our feedback requests. I read almost every single piece of feedback given, so I come from a unique vantage point to say I know and appreciate that many of you are sick and tired of the same old proposals being regurgitated with each change of personnel, or changes being proposed with no discernible improvement or outcome in mind.
Yet – you continue to be involved – and this is the most valuable lesson of all. Volunteering isn’t a job that you just tire of one day. That’s not to say you don’t get tired. But volunteering is a vocation and a passion. It comes out loud and clear from your feedback.
Your desire for the “system” to work for the benefit of your brigade and your community. Your wish that arrangements will actually encourage, support and strengthen the ability of volunteers to deliver CFA services. And your hope that your feedback will actually make a difference and may actually improve things.
And it is on this final point, I would like to digress.
Your feedback does make a difference. I read enough of your feedback to know many of you often don’t think it does but trust me when I say it makes a much bigger difference than you think. Even when the immediate results don’t appear that way – the sentiment and knowledge contained in your feedback outlasts single requests. So, even when CFA does not respond to the feedback or does not modify their position – your feedback is used to build VFBV’s organisational memory and is what heavily influences formal VFBV positions, and our continued advocacy for further change.
We don’t give up, and you can lose the battle without losing the war.
In a good news story, and to illustrate my point - I wanted to share with you the progress made on CFA’s revised Brigade Finance Policy which CFA has recently finalised.
Members would recall that CFA first released its initial drafts in June of last year. Back then, CFA released a brigade finance policy “suite” that consisted of six interrelated policies, totalling more than 21 individual pages of associated requirements. It would be fair to say that the ‘suite’ fell very flat on brigades, many of whom responded most unfavourably to the proposed arrangements, including the tone and needless complexity proposed. Very prominent in volunteer feedback was the principle that volunteers joined CFA to support an emergency service, they did not join to donate countless hours as unpaid public servants to the Victorian Government’s Treasury department.
After undertaking broad consultation with volunteers, VFBV provided formal feedback to CFA in October last year. And while I make no apologies, our feedback was rather forthright and candid and made the point that there was significant volunteer backlash to CFA’s proposals. But rather than just reject and criticise the policy, VFBV provided more than 10 pages of feedback and suggestions of how the arrangements could be adapted and improved to respond to volunteer concerns.
To be honest – it would have been much easier just to provide the criticism.
But what kind of partner would we be if we didn’t try to use our deep organisational knowledge to try and improve the outcome and help CFA improve its proposals and respond to the criticism? This is where your feedback was critical. Without people taking the time to explain why they did not support something – we would not have been able to provide the level of detail and analysis to help explain to CFA the reason behind the overwhelming rejection.
To CFA’s credit, the incoming CFA Chief Financial Officer (Sam Costanzo) who inherited the draft policy when he started in November last year, took all the feedback very constructively. In fact, both he and Robyn Harris as his direct line manager, committed to VFBV that they would diligently go through all the feedback and would methodically work through each of the areas of concern, checking back at regular intervals. And over the proceeding 10 months – that is exactly what they did – not just with VFBV, but also their internal teams so they could better understand why specific policy outcomes were being sought in the first place.
Which leads us to the new policy. A seven-page policy that replaces the six policies and 21 pages previously proposed. Key to the changes are;
- A tiered requirement for brigade financial plans, based on risk and providing simplified processes for brigades based on the level of their funds.
- Enhanced authorisations for brigade/group decision making and empowerment
- Easier to understand record keeping and reporting requirements
- Streamlined fundraising approval processes, and more practical processes for assessing donations and offers of sponsorship.
- Much clearer guidance on operating bank accounts and the use of debit cards
- A commitment by CFA to supporting Secretaries and Treasurers, minimise compliance burdens and provide tailored advice to volunteers
Significantly, CFA reversed and dropped its plans to charge volunteers for annual recognition events, prevent brigades from donating to natural disaster recovery charities, and stopping brigades from being able to lease office equipment like photocopiers and the like.
And while one could argue these were stupid proposals to begin with, I have been impressed with the good will, patience and scale in which CFA was prepared to completely re-write and reconsider its policy in order to respond to volunteer concerns.
A great result, and a good example of us working constructively together to work through the issues and improve the policy.
But this approach requires at least two things. A willingness by both sides to commit to genuine dialog that includes an open mind to reconsider previous positions, and the generous support of volunteers to entrust VFBV with their feedback and the reasons they think something will or will not work that supports our continued advocacy for a result that helps us argue for the changes required.
So, to those that contributed to the feedback on this and other items of late – thankyou. Don’t lose hope, and I hope this gives you confidence that your feedback can in fact make a difference – more often than not - a really big difference.
Joint Committee EOI’s
We are now accepting expressions of interest from volunteers to nominate to the CFA/VFBV Joint Committees for the 2025 calendar year.
If you feel you can contribute and have the time, are passionate about one of the eight streams 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 25 November 2024.
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. We also want to attract volunteers from as broad a range of brigade types and risk profiles as possible. 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 Feedback
CFA has recently released another 17 revised SOPs for volunteer feedback and consultation. At time of press, we are currently undertaking a log of changes and will prepare SOP feedback surveys once we have completed our analysis of changes. These will be uploaded to the VFBV website shortly.
Given recent controversy, we are prioritising SOP’s related to Electrical Safety and electrical infrastructure and these will be the first available for feedback.
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.
Please visit the VFBV website to access drafts and change logs to help guide your feedback.
VFBV Vol Survey
This year’s annual VFBV Vol Survey will shortly be opening.
Visit https://tinyurl.com/vfbv-survey to pre-register and ensure you are notified as soon as it opens.
Big Fills deployed
The VFBV Volunteer Support and Recovery Trust has received all four of the single axle Big Fill trailer pumps that it ordered as part of the final phase of recovery works from the Black Summer bushfires. Each of the Big Fill’s has been donated to groups in the east and north east of the state most heavily impacted by the Black Summer fires. The four groups are; Omeo, Orbost, Mitchell/Tambo and Corryong Groups.
The Big Fills are a single axle trailer mounted pump with a water cooled diesel engine with a capacity of up to 2000 litres per minute at 700kPa. Big fills are a key part of brigades and groups ability to fill trucks quickly from a static water source.
They come equipped with a pneumatic light mast with 4 LED lights for night use as well as a ‘green’ water point strobe light for easy identification. The ability for VFBV to fund these critical pieces of equipment came about from some amazing support from members of the pubic and our good friends from the Barlow Impact Group.
All four Big Fills have now been deployed and seen action. In fact, during a handover presentation, VFBV Executive Officer Mark Dryden and VFBV D11 Vice President Michael Freshwater were at the Lindenow Fire Station where the donated Mitchell and Tambo group Big Fill is being kept, when they noticed thick black smoke billowing from the packing shed nearby.
The Big Fill was hooked up and responded alongside Lindenow Tanker and several other brigades from the District including Bairnsdale and Mt Taylor. After the incident Mr Freshwater confirmed that the Big Fill had proven its worth, and would be a valuable piece of equipment as we move into another busy fire season. VFBV hopes that the trailers will be a valuable resource for firefighters in the seasons ahead.
Pictured: VFBV Board Member Howard Smith (left) handing over a Big Fill to Corryong Group Officer Kevin Whitehead.
2025 State Championship dates
CFA has recently confirmed with VFBV the dates of the 2025 State Championships.
The Championships will again be held in Mooroopna on consecutive weekends in March 2025. The Urban Junior Championship will take place on the weekend of 22 and 23 March.
This will be followed by the Rural Senior and Junior Championships and the Urban Senior Championship on the weekend of 29 and 30 March which will include the Torchlight Procession on the Saturday evening.
Further information regarding entries and judge and official nominations will be available later this year.
Fire Wise – October 2024 online only edition
The October 2024 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 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.
Please update records with Fire Wise
Newly elected Group Officers, Group Secretaries, Brigade Captains and Brigades Secretaries are asked to update their physical and email addresses with Fire Wise as soon as possible so future editions, both printed and electronic, can be forwarded to the correct person, at the correct address.
If the September edition of Fire Wise has gone to previous officers please advise by email or telephone of the name, physical and email address details of the new officer in your place so our database can be updated.
Existing Group Officers, Group Secretaries, Brigade Captains and Brigade Secretaries are requested to provide their email address, if they haven’t already done so, to enable future electronic editions to be forwarded.
VFBV District Presidents, District Secretaries and State Councillors, as well as all brigade and individual subscribers, are requested to send their email address if not already receiving digital editions.
Please include the Group or Brigade you belong to and the office held, and forward this information to Fire Wise by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by telephone on 0402 051 412.
A complimentary copy of Fire Wise, courtesy of VFBV, is sent to each of these officers monthly.
Eight editions per annum are electronic (January, February, April, May, July, August, October and November) and the other four (March, June, September and December) are printed. The printed editions include the VFBV Quarterly Supplement.
Your email addresses will only be used to forward electronic editions.
Your assistance is appreciated in helping us get Fire Wise to the intended people in the quickest amount of time.
ESF Mental Health Showcase 2024
The Emergency Services Foundation will host the third annual Mental Health Showcase at Life Saving Victoria on Friday 11 October 2024.
The event brings together staff and volunteers who are interested in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of Victoria’s emergency service sector.
With support from the Victorian Government, ESF is able to offer 55 funded places for emergency service sector volunteers and accommodation for 40 regional volunteers to attend the event.
For more information and to register visit the ESF website.
Recent articles on the VFBV website
Consultation Dashboard
2025 VFBV/CFA Joint Committee District Nominees Expression of Interest
SOP Feedback – Electrical Safety
2024-25 Urban local competition schedule and updated rule book
Presumptive Legislation Update
Enjoy the VFBV monthly newsletter?
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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.
Formal consultation has commenced on new proposed Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) relating to electrical safety.
The proposed draft SOP's are available for download from the bottom of this page and contain:
SOP 10.28 - Lithium-ion Batteries Undergoing Thermal Runaway
SOP 10.29 - Electric Vehicle Incidents
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.
We have developed a survey for each SOP that walks members through each clause and provides a simple way to provide feedback.
Survey for SOP 10.28 - Lithium-ion Batteries Undergoing Thermal Runaway : https://survey.zohopublic.com.au/zs/OKBscJ
Survey for SOP 10.29 - Electric Vehicle Incidents: https://survey.zohopublic.com.au/zs/y3BsuU
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.
- Complete the survey for each SOP:
SOP 10.28
SOP 10.29 - 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.
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.
Who would have thought?
By Adam Barnett, VFBV Chief Executive Officer
On pages 5 – 8 of the VFBV September Quarterly Supplement that is included in this month’s Fire Wise newspaper, you will find the summary result of our most recent volunteer survey.
The survey was conducted between October 2023 and February 2024, and is the 12th annual survey conducted since its launch back in 2012.
Our 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. It’s an annual snapshot of volunteer opinion, using questions on issues chosen by CFA volunteers. It’s also one of the key opportunities for CFA volunteers to have their voices both individually and collectively heard, with the results studied by government, the sector and the CFA executive.
More than 2,185 volunteers provided their feedback on their CFA experience, which was 140 higher than the year before which is an outstanding result. This continues to make our survey the largest of its kind across Australia, by a significant margin and I’d like to thank each and every volunteer that participated. Together, we are making a difference, and you are helping improve CFA for generations to come.
So, what do the results tell us?
It tells us that the things within CFA’s direct control are incrementally getting better. Over the seven themes, none have got worse. Four have recorded a slight improvement, and three have remained the same. However, some of the individual measures have gone backwards which emphasis the need for continued vigilance.
The top three areas requiring the most attention, and recording the highest scores for dissatisfaction are; Training; Cooperation across CFA; and Respect and Professionalism.
Training again recorded the highest levels of dissatisfaction across all themes, with a VolWEL of 3.1 which keeps it in the category of ‘critical need for priority attention’. This was one of the themes that did not move this year, with the year before recording a 0.1 positive movement.
A reminder that a high VolWEL is an indication that things are not working well, while a lower VolWEL indicates things are more closely meeting expectation. A VolWEL of zero would mean volunteer expectations are being perfectly met. In our colour coding, we assign a score anywhere between 0 to 0.9 as meeting expectations with anything above 1.0 indicating there is potential for improvement.
When we drill down into the training questions three of the six questions on training recorded a worst result than the year before. Namely, the question “CFA provides enough training opportunities in formats, at times and at locations that make it easy for me to participate” which recorded the worst result with a VolWEL of 3.6 when compared to 3.4 from the year before.
The next worst result was “Most training is available and provided within a reasonable distance from my brigade” recording a VolWEL of 3.2 which compares to 3.0 from the year before.
These two results indicate that opportunity (quantum) and access to training remain the two areas requiring the most support, and are mostly within the remit of District training departments.
On a positive note, the question “CFA provides good leadership training for volunteers in people management, brigade management, conflict resolution and mentoring” recorded a VolWEL of 2.7, which was an improvement of 0.1 from the year before. The related question from the ‘Support from CFA’ theme – “Volunteer leaders in my brigade are effectively supported and empowered to manage my brigade and undertake their roles” scoring a VolWEL of 1.6.
This is likely a reflection of the increased availability and expansion of the Captains Peer Mentor Program, the Women in Leadership Mentoring program and the reintroduction of the Certificate IV in Leadership and Management scholarships. Given all these programs are expected to increase capacity over the next 12 months, and with the reintroduction of the highly regarded Fireline Leadership program commencing shortly, we are hopeful of seeing continued improvement in this measure.
Interestingly the question “CFA’s training expectations of me are fair and reasonable for the roles that I perform” remained unchanged with a VolWEL of 2.0. Given the proposed changes and increased requirements being pursued as part of CFA’s review of Driver training, it will be interesting to watch this metric over the coming years.
In the ‘Cooperation Across CFA’ theme, three of the four questions saw an improvement. However, these gains were wiped out by a jump in dissatisfaction on the question “Volunteers are effectively consulted and involved in decision making at CFA Corporate (headquarters) level.” This question recorded the equal worst result in the survey, scoring a 3.6 which is a 0.2 deterioration from the year before.
While the qualitative analysis is still underway, there are a couple of trends which really jump out when digging deeper into what is going on in this question.
While it appears volunteers have welcomed the increased opportunities to provide feedback to policy discussions, there is a very strong feeling and perception that they feel their feedback is either ignored or just paid lip service. This goes to the heart of whether consultation is genuine or not and resonates very strongly with my observation that volunteers not only expect to be asked what they think, but they also expect decision makers to respond and act on their feedback, demonstrating how it has been used to affect the decision being made.
Over the past year I have had the misfortune of attending several workshops and forums arranged by CFA to gather feedback on a couple of projects that will have significant impacts on volunteers.
To see information nights dressed up as consultation and engagement sessions was frustrating to say the least, not just to me but the other participants also. Death by PowerPoint and simply informing volunteers on what has already been decided is not consultation, and the fact that this metric has gone backwards is a warning sign that volunteers are seeing straight through disingenuous opportunities and puts HQ on notice that volunteers are extremely worried about what they are seeing.
The ‘Respect and Professionalism’ theme was a mixed bag. On the one hand, the question “I respect and appreciate the effort made by CFA to support me as a volunteer” went backwards – recording a VolWEL of 2.4 compared to 2.3 the year before. Reading through the comments, this appears to be mostly driven by perceived budget cuts, and lack of investment by government into the service.
However, on a positive note, the question “In general, CFA staff accept and recognise the professionalism of volunteers” recorded an improvement of 0.2 with a VolWEL of 2.0 which is a very positive sign that the pivot to a stronger and more supportive volunteer culture is starting to be felt across the membership.
Yet again, the areas where decision making is closest to the brigade level as possible recorded by far the best results.
The three best performing metrics within the ‘People Management: My Brigade’ theme are all areas where volunteers have been empowered to make their own decisions. “The environment at my brigade is volunteer-friendly, welcoming to new members and creates good morale” scored a VolWEL of 1.1 indicating high levels of satisfaction. The questions “Workplace bullying is not tolerated in brigades of which I have been a member” and “Volunteers are effectively consulted and involved in decision making at my brigade level” both achieved a VolWEL of 1.3.
In the Recruitment and Retention theme, five of the seven questions recorded an improvement. Yet again, the two best performing areas of the entire survey were the questions “There are no barriers to the roles women can occupy in my brigade” and “People from all cultural backgrounds, different religions, political and personal beliefs are all made welcome at my brigade” scoring 0.7 and 0.6 respectively. Both of these improved over the year before with the cultural background question improving by 0.2 and the no barriers to the roles women can occupy improving by 0.1.
Worrying however were the two questions on youth. The question “My brigade is successful in recruiting younger people as volunteers” scored 2.6 as did the question “My brigade is successful in retaining younger people as volunteers” also recording a VolWEL of 2.6.
Pleasingly, access to administrative support from CFA recorded an improvement, with a VolWEL of 1.6 which is a 0.1 improvement from the year before.
All up, I see a lot of consistency in the survey results with the areas that volunteers tell us are working well, and those areas they feel things are not going well. And while the results are always interesting, the question you should really be asking is so what is being done to drive improvement?
I’m glad you asked, as that is why it is so important for you to participate in the survey each year. We continue to strongly urge and encourage the CFA executive to support new initiatives that are designed specifically to meet a need identified by volunteers through the annual survey and help to drive improvements.
My wish is that far more programs will be created and supported that look to fill a need, rather than solve what I sometimes describe as the imaginary problems identified or prioritised through red tape and the bureaucracy of government and regulators.
The more programs and initiatives that are designed and funded that seek to address the very real and lived experience of volunteers - the closer CFA will come to truly being a volunteer organisation of choice.
The only way to cauterise the declining numbers of volunteers is to accept the fact that by running a volunteer organisation, you actually need to design your policies, procedures, and culture to actually appeal to volunteers and making them feel respected, valued and happy and making a place they actually want to spend time in. In others words – meeting the commitments under the Volunteer Charter, and honouring the statutory requirements under Section 6 of the CFA Act.
Who would have thought eh.
Vale
VFBV were saddened to learn of the passing of VFBV District 22 Council President Leonard Balfour in August.
Leonard held the role of VFBV District 22 Council President from August 2016 until his passing and was also heavily involved in Urban Championships across the state. He was a member of the Mooroopna brigade for more than 35 years after initially joining as a junior member and held many roles in the brigade including Junior Leader, Competition Team Coach, VFBV delegate and Lieutenant.
On behalf of VFBV and all fellow CFA volunteers, we offer our deepest condolences to Leonard’s family, friends, loved ones, the Mooroopna brigade and fellow firefighters at this sad time.
Prize winners
Congratulations to the winners of the 2024/25 VFBV Affiliation Prize Draw!
Thank you to all Brigades/Groups who paid their 2024/25 affiliations prior to 30 June this year and qualified for the early payment prize draw.
The winners and their selected prizes are:
1st prize - Meering West FB (D20) - G-Force Nozzle with Quick connect coupling and Gated Wye with Storz inlet and quick connect outlets
2nd prize - Hardies Hill FB (D15) -5 x Helmet Torches and carry case
3rd prize - Yarck FB (D12) - Root Soaker and Bag
4th prize - Tallangatta Group (D24) - TFT Break apart Nozzle
A big thank you to GAAM Emergency Products and Powdersafe for once again donating these great prizes.
Remember, by affiliating, you are making a vital contribution to the important work we do on behalf of all CFA volunteers. Advocacy, support, research and the provision of trusted and credible advice are all strengthened when volunteers work together and stand united as one.
If you are not sure whether your Brigade or Group’s VFBV or Welfare Fund subscriptions are up to date, please contact your secretary urgently, as we encourage all those who have not yet affiliated to do so as soon as possible. For any enquiries, contact your VFBV Support Officer, State Councillor or call us at the office on 9886 1141.
Urban Skills Workshop
The Urban Competition and Rules Committee is holding a skills workshop prior to the commencement of the 2024/25 competition season on Saturday 5 October at the Melton competition track at the Melton Recreation Reserve.
On the day, workshops will be conducted and facilitated by experienced judges, officials and competitors.
The skills workshops are targeted at both current and prospective judges, officials, coaches and competitors who wish to gain new skills and knowledge or build upon existing skills.
The coach and competitor workshops will cover the use of tray in reel events, rolling on, competitor safety, appliance, Marshall and junior events. While the judge and official workshops will cover all judge roles, including but not limited to judge in the box, announcers, on track judging, starting, and recording.
Committee members will also be on hand to conduct equipment checks prior to the start of the competition season so brigades are encouraged to bring along their competition equipment to ensure that it is ready to go for the upcoming competition season.
If you are interested in attending the skills workshop, please RSVP to the VFBV office via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (03) 9886 1141 by Monday 23rd September.
Volunteer Compensation
VFBV is continuing to monitor arrangements under CFA’s Volunteer Compensation Scheme in light of recent cases that have exposed significant concerns in how some cases are being managed by CFA.
VFBV will continue to monitor and advocate for changes to ensure volunteer confidence in the scheme is restored.
Thank you to all those brigades who have been in touch to ask what they can do to support this advocacy, and thereby ensure all injured volunteers are treated with respect, compassion and above all, protection of their entitlements to ensure they may recover from their injury without the worry and stress of navigating red tape and bureaucracy.
We will continue to report on progress.
Presumptive Legislation Update
The Queensland Government is the latest State Government to update its firefighter presumptive legislation scheme to provide presumptive protection to firefighters who suffer from cancers that have been scientifically demonstrated as likely to be a result of their firefighting service.
Queensland has not only added the remaining cancers introduced by recent changes by the Commonwealth but have also picked up each of the cancers covered by the other states and territories.
This makes the Queensland scheme the strongest in Australia, covering 22 cancers, as well as providing presumption for PTSD and asbestos related diseases.
Victoria continues to lag behind, with its scheme covering 15 cancers and no presumption for PTSD or asbestos related diseases.
Victoria is now behind the Commonwealth, ACT, Tasmania, Queensland and Western Australia, while the Northern Territory covers 15 cancers, but also has presumptive coverage for PTSD and asbestos related diseases.
All Australian volunteer associations are collectively advocating for harmonisation to ensure no matter where a firefighter lives, they are provided equal coverage.
Joint Committee EOI
Our expressions of interest process will open shortly for volunteers to nominate to the CFA/VFBV Joint Committee’s for the 2025 calendar year.
If you feel you can contribute and have the time, are passionate about one of the eight streams 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 25th November 2024.
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 Feedback
CFA has recently released another 17 revised SOP’s for volunteer feedback and consultation. At the time of press, we are currently undertaking a log of changes and will prepare SOP feedback surveys once we have completed our analysis of changes. These will be uploaded to the VFBV website shortly.
Given the importance of SOP’s in CFA’s operational doctrine, VFBV encourages all senior volunteers to make themselves familiar with the proposed changes and provide feedback ASAP.
Please visit the VFBV website to access drafts and change logs to help guide your feedback.
Quarterly Supplement
Included with the September 2024 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.
AGM
This year’s AGM will be held on Sunday 6th October, following State Council.
Please refer to page 2 of this month’s VFBV Quarterly Supplement for details.
Please update records with Fire Wise
Newly elected Group Officers, Group Secretaries, Brigade Captains and Brigades Secretaries are asked to update their physical and email addresses with Fire Wise as soon as possible so future editions, both printed and electronic, can be forwarded to the correct person, at the correct address.
If the September edition of Fire Wise has gone to previous officers please advise by email or telephone of the name, physical and email address details of the new officer in your place so our database can be updated.
Existing Group Officers, Group Secretaries, Brigade Captains and Brigade Secretaries are requested to provide their email address, if they haven’t already done so, to enable future electronic editions to be forwarded.
VFBV District Presidents, District Secretaries and State Councillors, as well as all brigade and individual subscribers, are requested to send their email address if not already receiving digital editions.
Please include the Group or Brigade you belong to and the office held, and forward this information to Fire Wise by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by telephone on 0402 051 412.
A complimentary copy of Fire Wise, courtesy of VFBV, is sent to each of these officers monthly.
Eight editions per annum are electronic (January, February, April, May, July, August, October and November) and the other four (March, June, September and December) are printed. The printed editions include the VFBV Quarterly Supplement.
Your email addresses will only be used to forward electronic editions. Your assistance is appreciated in helping us get Fire Wise to the intended people in the quickest amount of time.
Recent articles on the VFBV website
Consultation Dashboard
2025 VFBV/CFA Joint Committee District Nominees Expression of Interest
Presumptive Legislation Update
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Sickening decision
By Adam Barnett, VFBV Chief Executive Officer
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness…it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair...”
And while the opening quote requires no introduction, Dickens’ use of anaphora (repeated words) in his opening lines of The Tale of Two Cities, is a good backdrop to my description of our relationship with CFA as eternally optimistic...but complicated at times.
I spoke last month about the strength of VFBV’s relationship with CFA being due to our commitment to working cooperatively together wherever we can, but disagreeing where me must.
And while VFBV works incredibly hard to have these disagreements behind closed doors, there comes a time when those efforts are unsuccessful and require us to engage more publicly. This is one of those times.
Recently, Supreme Court judge The Hon. Richards handed down her findings against the CFA who had terminated a volunteer firefighter’s compensation for PTSD.
The volunteer joined CFA at the age of 19 and served as an active first responder for 24 years. His brigade was a busy structural brigade and was also an accredited road accident rescue brigade, where he attended countless incidents ranging from house fires, motor vehicle accidents, hazmat incidents and bushfires during his time with CFA.
Over time, he started to suffer from depression and anxiety and originally brushed it off to other life events. When things started to get worse, he sought treatment from his general practitioner and psychologist. He was then referred to a psychiatrist who, in 2018, diagnosed him to be suffering from major depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In the psychiatrist’s view, the PTSD was directly related to his service with the CFA, and the repeated trauma he had been exposed to.
When he made a claim under CFA’s volunteer compensations scheme, CFA arranged for him to be assessed by their own independent psychiatrist, who confirmed the original diagnosis of PTSD with delayed onset and confirmed that his service to CFA as a volunteer firefighter was the significant contributing factor to his condition of PTSD.
Following this report, CFA accepted the claim, and commenced payments for ongoing reasonable medical expenses and weekly payments for replacement labour.
Between 2019 and 2022 two more psychiatrists confirmed the diagnosis, with one of these appointed and instructed by CFA to perform another independent medical examination.
Then in 2023, CFA went to yet another psychiatrist and asked the volunteer to again submit to another examination. This time, CFA chose to seek the opinion of Associate Professor Doherty, who provided a controversial opinion after a single consultation that not only did the volunteer not suffer from PTSD, but that it was impossible because there was no such thing as ‘delayed onset PTSD’ and in his view PTSD cannot by definition occur where the traumatisation of symptoms are not present within the first six months.
This was completely at odds with all the other psychiatrists, yet based on this single report, CFA then proceeded to write to the volunteer advising they “preferred A/Prof Doherty’s opinion” over all others and advised they would be terminating his entitlements.
The volunteer responded to this proposal, and undertook yet another independent medical examination, who was now the fifth psychiatrist (sixth if you count the original psychologist) who confirmed the diagnosis of PTSD, and that it was caused by his CFA service. This psychiatrist rebuffed A/Prof Doherty’s view and opined that most patients who end up with PTSD are not acutely unwell in the immediate aftermath, and that a gradual build up is typical.
Following receipt of this report and choosing not to engage with any of the five previous psychiatrists who had all diagnosed PTSD, CFA again wrote to the volunteer advising they still preferred A/Prof Doherty’s opinion and terminated his compensation.
The volunteer argued in court that it was unreasonable for CFA to ‘cherry pick’ the medical evidence. CFA denied the suggestion that it had cherry-picked.
The Court, when examining this chain of events, was scathing of CFA, with the Judge determining:
“The CFA’s decision to terminate [the volunteer’s] entitlements to compensation was legally unreasonable. As the sole arbiter of the merits of [the volunteer’s] claim, it changed its mind about his entitlement to compensation on the basis of a single medical opinion that was contrary to all of the opinions it had previously accepted. It did so without engaging with the reason why A/Prof Doherty held a different opinion, and without considering whether it should accept the premise of his opinion. The CFA’s reasons for decision disclosed no intelligible foundation for preferring A/Prof Doherty’s opinion and its underlying premise.”
In response to CFA’s defence and explanation the judge said in her summary:
“With respect, this explanation entirely missed the point of difference between A/Prof Doherty’s and all the other experts. A/Prof Doherty’s departure from the previous opinions was not due to a different or more thorough assessment of [the volunteer’s] medical history and clinical records. It was because of his asserted premise that there is no such condition as delayed onset (or delayed expression) PTSD…”
Her Honor found that CFA’s determination to terminate the volunteer’s entitlement to compensation was legally unreasonable, and warned:
“Another dimension of the unreasonableness of the CFA’s decision arises from the fact that the CFA administers the compensation scheme for the benefit of all volunteers, and to support the viability of the CFA as a volunteer fire service. It is a significant matter for the administration of the scheme for the CFA to deny liability for compensation for delayed onset PTSD, on a basis that may not reflect the general consensus of psychiatric opinion. If the CFA takes a consistent approach in other similar cases, its unquestioning acceptance of A/Prof Doherty’s opinion that there is no diagnosable and recognised condition of delayed onset PTSD may have consequences for the ongoing capacity of the CFA to provide fire services in country Victoria.”
Her Honour then made an order setting aside CFA’s decision.
My reaction to this sordid tale is likely very similar to many of yours. I was angry, disgusted and then ultimately left with a feeling of deep disappointment that we could find ourselves here in 2024. What governance failures have occurred that has allowed an organisation established by Parliament to support a volunteer emergency service, to stray so far away from what is a pretty basic responsibility to look after those of us who get injured?
Each volunteer who I have observed hearing this story, I have seen the blood drain from their faces as they shake their head as the full consequences become evident. In my view this is a CFA home goal, and this incident will send a shiver down the spine of every CFA volunteer, who will now have a question mark in their head as to if they were to suffer a similar fate, would they also be left unprotected and abandoned at their time of greatest need?
A service that relies on people to put themselves in harm’s way in order to protect others cannot operate without confidence that it will look after any members who get hurt in the process. It pains me to say that CFA’s behaviour in this instance was egregious.
The CFA volunteer compensation scheme was hard fought for by the volunteer associations and embedded into the Country Fire Authority Act to ensure volunteers would never receive any less protection than their paid counterparts who are covered by WorkSafe. It was also intended to be designed specifically to cater to volunteers unique circumstances. It is therefore sacrosanct to VFBV, and any attack on volunteers’ rights and protections must be met head on.
VFBV has demanded that CFA issue an apology to the volunteer, and immediately reinstate his compensation and support. We have also requested CFA undertake a review of CFA’s volunteer compensation operating model and related processes to ensure current arrangements are adequate and meet our expectations. We must look at what decisions have been delegated to middle management, and what checks and balances are in place to safeguard against such bias creeping into decision making.
In an effort to ensure something like this can never happen again, VFBV is demanding the introduction of independent medical panels to deal with controversial or outlier medical views and other decisions.
We have also advised CFA that we intend on pursuing a review of the CFA Regulations, including exploring appeal mechanisms to ensure a volunteer does not have to go all the way to the Supreme Court just to overturn what is blatantly a miscarriage of justice. Members would recall we have previously called for a Volunteer Ombudsman.
No volunteer can have any doubt that their ability to provide for themselves and their families can ever be in question should they be hurt on the fireground.
This whole episode starts to sound remarkably like the fight we had to have to get fire services to recognise the link between firefighting and cancer. Proving PTSD is not like proving a broken arm or broken leg. The sectors’ knowledge and understanding of PTSD is still evolving.
VFBV has renewed its call for presumptive legislation for PTSD. The Commonwealth, the ACT, NT, QLD and Tasmania have already added PTSD to their presumptive schemes for emergency service workers, and VFBV has been calling on the Victorian Government to do the same.
It saddens me to no end that a brave sick volunteer not only had to battle their illness contracted by their CFA service, but at the same time then had to fight the very same organisation just for a fair go. He deserved better, and so does each and every other CFA volunteer in the state. Our pursuit of presumptive rights does not let CFA off the hook.
As at writing; CFA is in the process of reinstating the volunteer’s entitlements; have agreed to a review; and has provided in principle support for medical panels.
VFBV will not rest until these issues have been resolved to our satisfaction, and we call on all volunteers to support us in our pursuit of fair and reasonable arrangements that prioritise a volunteer’s health and wellbeing above all else and ensure that our compensation arrangements not only meet the expectations of the membership, but sufficiently serve the legislations intent of providing an organisational arrangement designed to encourage, maintain and strengthen the capacity of volunteers to provide CFA services.
A genuine relationship that is honest requires transparency, and it is important to the broader membership that we make you aware of our efforts in trying to right the various wrongs that get reported to us from time to time, while also maintaining constructive relationships to best influence how these matters are resolved.
To this end, we will keep you updated of our progress, but fear not – we will remain frank and fearless and will not rest until these matters are resolved.
Volunteer engagement survey
All volunteers are encouraged to complete the Volunteer engagement and communication survey that is currently available on the Engage Victoria website.
This survey is an opportunity for you to provide feedback direct to the Victorian Government about what information you receive, and your expectations of what opportunities are provided to volunteers and their representative bodies to consult with the Victorian Government on matters that affect them.
This is an opportunity for you to directly tell government the importance of the government engaging with those who represent you.
The survey will only take about 5 minutes, and is confidential with only deidentified results being reported. VFBV has reviewed the survey and encourages all CFA volunteers to complete it.
The survey is available on the Engage Victoria website and will close on 9 September 2024.
Privacy and Security Concerns
Delegates to VFBV State Council have raised concerns on behalf of member brigades worried about CFA’s decision to collect and store volunteer’s drivers licence numbers and expiry dates.
Following recent attention to data breaches involving Optus, Medibank and the cyber breach on FRV, members are understandably concerned and anxious about CFA’s storage of personal information that could be potentially used to commit identify fraud against them.
While VFBV was aware of CFA’s pursuit of exemptions under the National Heavy Vehicle Law which has resulted in CFA needing to record licence numbers of drivers of fatigue regulated vehicles (trucks 12T or over), we were somewhat taken by surprise at the Chief Officer’s insistence that he wanted every single driver to provide their licence details into CFA systems regardless of whether they drove a fatigue regulated vehicle or not.
VFBV has formally requested details on how this information is being collected, stored and protected, including what cyber security measures have been put in place to ensure this information is safe (encryption) and who has access to this information. We have also sought information on whether CFA has conducted an independent security audit on the system that is intended to store this information to reassure members about the systems privacy.
Travel reimbursement rate
CFA has agreed to a VFBV request for it to review its volunteer travel reimbursement rate, pointing out that the rate set by the Australian Taxation Office has changed twice since CFA revised its rate to $0.78 back in 2022.
The ATO set the rate to $0.88 effective 1 July 2024, and CFA has confirmed that effective immediately, it will be applying the $0.88 c/km rate to all volunteer travel reimbursement, and that all the various forms held by CFA were in the process of being updated.
VFBV welcomes this announcement and thanks CFA for its prompt attention to this matter.
Interim CEO
Deputy CFA Chair Tony Peake OAM announced that CFA Board had appointed Robyn Harris as CFA’s interim CEO while the Board conducts a search and appointment process for the ongoing CEO role. Robyn has been with CFA since November 2021.
VFBV warmly welcomes Robyn to the role and looks forward to working with her.
While Robyn is in the interim CEO role, her position of Group General Manager Strategic Services will be filled by Sam Costanzo, who will retain his duties as CFA’s Chief Financial Officer and Chief Procurement Officer.
VFBV Board Vacancies
Vacancies on the VFBV Board will arise when the terms of four VFBV Board members expire on 1 October 2024. Of the four members whose terms are expiring, two are eligible for re-appointment.
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 office at (03) 9886 1141.
Applications close on Monday 2 September 2024.
Affiliation
Again in 2023/24, CFA Brigades and Groups showed it is more important than ever that volunteers have a strong, united, independent and credible voice with almost 95% of Brigades demonstrating strong support for VFBV’s important work representing and advocating for all CFA volunteers. Thank you to all brigades and groups who affiliated last year.
Brigade and Group secretaries have received the 2024/25 renewal notices for your Brigade/Groups’ VFBV Affiliation and Welfare Fund subscriptions with a due date of 30th June, 2024.
The Board is determined that brigades/groups should benefit from the strong governance of the association and have reduced the affiliation rate from $84 to $75.
We encourage Brigades to also subscribe to the VFBV Welfare Fund which is a capital fund and an exclusive benefit to affiliated members with VFBV funding all the administration and operating costs ensuring 100% of funds received go directly to CFA volunteers experiencing personal hardship. The VFBV Welfare Fund provides small grants up to $5,000 to assist volunteer members and long service ex members and has distributed more than $2.5 million dollars to volunteers in need since its inception.
SOP feedback
CFA has recently released another 17 revised SOPs for volunteer feedback and consultation. At time of press, we are currently undertaking a log of changes and will prepare SOP feedback surveys once we have completed our analysis of changes. These will be uploaded to the VFBV website shortly.
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.
Please visit the VFBV website to access drafts and change logs to help guide your feedback.
Fire Wise – August 2024 online only edition
The August 2024 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 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.
Recent articles on the VFBV website
Consultation Dashboard
Feedback Requested – Standard Operating Procedures (Various)
Presumptive Legislation Update
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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.
Further budget woes
By Adam Barnett, VFBV Chief Executive Officer
Last month I opined that we had very little clarity of CFA’s budget for the year ahead, due to it being buried within the Department of Justice and Community Safety.
Shortly after our last newsletter went to print, the Government tabled answers to questions taken on notice through the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee that was held in Parliament on Friday 24 May, 2024.
These figures confirm that there is a further reduction to the CFA budget, with the estimated grant payment to CFA for the 2024/25 period set at $337.6 million. This is a reduction of $4million when compared to the 2023 grant, and you have to go back 15 years to find a CFA budget of similar size. This is despite the Government collecting $1.03 billion in levy, which includes a $186 million increase on households this year alone. Working backwards, and knowing the FSL may only contribute 77.5% of CFA’s funding, we can conclude CFA’s share of the FSL will be just $261.6m.
And while a $4 million cut may not sound like a lot to some, in an organisation already starved of funding, the impacts are brutal. Given VFBV has been pursuing numerous health and safety initiatives to further protect the health of all CFA volunteers, these initiatives will be difficult to achieve with further cuts to CFA’s budget.
And inequities abound.
For example, while FRV firefighters have all their uniforms, personal protective clothing, and laundry professionally cleaned and paid for by the taxpayer, CFA volunteers are still expected to take their putrid bushfire PPC home after an incident and wash it themselves. Sounds like a first world problem to some until you pause to think about the potential for cross contamination from all the carcinogenic toxins our PPC is frequently exposed to mixing in with the families’ washing machine.
And while I am outraged that this continues to be an issue in 2024, CFA continues to be put into this terrible position of trying to prioritise funding across critical areas, when frankly every spare cent is being ploughed into the fleet budget to try and keep CFA’s ageing fire trucks on the road. Confirmation has also been received noting that 474 CFA trucks are older than 26 years, with 230 more than 31 years old!
How then is the organisation expected to manage contemporary issues such as station upgrades to appeal to a more gender diverse membership, equipment maintenance, health and safety support, shortages of personal protective clothing, or replacement workwear or uniforms?
Let’s use workwear as an example. Putting aside that not every CFA volunteer was provided a set, with the gear having to be rationed out to fit the budget envelope - many do not realise that this was one-off funding, and there has been no government investment in providing workwear for new members, let alone the cost of replacing worn out or damaged gear. Despicably, volunteers are asked to buy it themselves when this occurs.
The same for CFA’s next generation bushfire PPC and the structural helmets issued a couple of years ago. Each of these represents an increased cost as while next generation materials provide superior protection, they are more expensive, yet the Government has only provided funding for the initial rollouts. There have been no increases to CFA’s base funding to support CFA with these increased ongoing costs, which means gear is again being rationed out by the Districts.
With no increases to budgets for five years in a row, these costs are having to be absorbed into existing budgets which are already stretched paper thin. Add a budget cut (or five) and you are left with a dystopian version of the hunger games playing out across the State.
My message to members is that VFBV will not stop calling out these hypocrisies and raising awareness about the dire nature of CFA’s funding, and we hope you do too. This is the only way that we can pressure government to provide CFA with its fair share of the funding collected by the fire service levy. At present, millions of dollars are being siphoned from residents living in CFA areas to cover the out of control costs of others.
The disparity is glaring. It costs the taxpayer $283,000 a year to run each of CFA’s 1,209 fire stations across Victoria, yet it costs the taxpayer $10.3 million a year to run each of FRV’s 85 fire stations. And rather than thank volunteers for their generous contribution by properly resourcing them – government would rather poke them in the eye and cut what little funding is already given.
Let’s also talk about the fact that CFA volunteers don’t make ambit claims. The issues VFBV is pursuing on behalf of volunteers are those supported by volunteers through our extensive District Council network and prioritised by volunteers. Our members ask us to seek cost efficient outcomes, knowing that every expense is borne by the taxpayer. CFA volunteers are doing their bit and can hold their heads high. By running Victoria’s most efficient fire service, you are freeing up vital funding that can be used for hospital beds, schools and other essential services. But that generosity is increasingly being abused. When we see waste, when we see spiralling costs and growing bureaucracies from others across the sector that are simply diluting the funding available to everyone else – we must all call it out.
While we will continue to pressure CFA about ensuring its internal spending and prioritisation is as efficient and fair as possible, don’t let Government MPs off the hook. They are ultimately responsible for CFA’s funding and their appalling record of five years of CFA cuts.
CFA is being backed into a corner and is being forced to ration and cut costs to meet an ever-decreasing budget. Rather than unleash on CFA because they happen to be the ones in front of you, please assist us by applying pressure to your local government MPs. Many of you don’t think it makes any difference, but history shows otherwise. Phone, write or meet with them. Ask them how much of the $186 million extra revenue they are collecting is going towards CFA.
DEPARTURE OF CFA CEO NATALIE MacDONALD
After describing the poor budget situation, I can’t say I was completely shocked to learn about CFA’s Chief Executive, Natalie MacDonald departing early.
How could anyone that cares for Victorian communities and the whole CFA family as much as any CFA leader does - not be impacted by the constant cost cutting, hypocrisy and financial mismanagement on display.
Given this will be the fifth year in a row of budget contractions for CFA, imagine how that makes a tough job even tougher.
To be fair, Natalie has advised that she is leaving for personal reasons, of which I understand and empathise completely. I suggest however, that these personal challenges may not have been so overwhelming if CFA was being properly supported by the whole of Government, and CFA was being treated fairly.
Following the appointment of a new CFA Chair just last month, I know many volunteers are fearful we are seeing the return of the great instability in senior officers and the loss of corporate memory like we saw during the start of this government’s fire service reform journey. And while I share these concerns, there are some differences.
We have had three to four years of relative leadership stability, which while historically this is not very long, it is significantly better than the six CEO’s we saw cycle through the organisation in as few years during the height of reform.
I also wish to acknowledge the strong foundations and legacy that Natalie will leave behind.
I have enjoyed a close and constructive working relationship with Natalie since her appointment to the role, and can attest to her passion, intelligence and drive to further CFA’s mission. I can similarly attest to the empathy and integrity she has demonstrated while going about it, especially at times under very trying circumstances. Her loyalty has always been to CFA and the communities in which we all serve.
There have certainly been difficult decisions needing to be made. Decisions that perhaps she didn’t agree, and probably a few she looks back in hindsight and regrets. But among those are plenty of decisions and initiatives which I think have changed CFA for the better.
CFA has firmly pivoted to embracing and celebrating the fact that it is a volunteer and community embedded fire service. Natalie has led and supported key initiatives that embed the volunteer charter and its section 6 obligations into the DNA of the organisation. And while its implementation is far from perfect, nor complete - genuine change takes time.
We have stronger CFA/VFBV joint committees, stronger processes to navigate what is increasingly often broad and disparate volunteer feedback, and we have built a trust and respect that honours and respects the unique role each organisation plays. Under Natalie’s leadership CFA and VFBV have reaffirmed that we are committed to working constructively together, disagreeing when we must – but always committed to listening and considering the needs of our volunteers.
In this sense, I will feel a real loss and sadness when Natalie finishes up at the end of this month. With the passage of time and reflection I hope she shares my pride in her legacy and the solid foundations she has set for the next person taking the baton. Natalie has also confirmed she intends on continuing as a CFA volunteer with her local brigade.
As I tell every CEO, they are merely a temporary custodian of an iconic organisation that breathes, bleeds and effects all who toil within, whether that’s for a day, a year, a decade, or even a lifetime. I know CFA touched Natalie, and I would like to think it was also touched by her. And while I’ll quietly admit that she could at times be a force to be reckoned with, I don’t mind admitting I enjoyed almost every minute of it.
Thank-you Natalie for your outstanding stewardship of CFA, and the respect you have always shown towards our members and towards VFBV. We sincerely thank you for your efforts and the improvements you have made.
We will miss you at the helm but look forward to your continued journey as a fellow CFA volunteer which is the ultimate sign of respect you could choose to bestow on the organisation and the communities it protects.
Well done, bon voyage and don’t put those yellows too far out of reach….summer is coming.
VALE
VFBV were saddened to learn of the passing of Association Life Member Graeme Dare in late May.
Graeme was a member of the Colac brigade for more than 50 years and served as an Executive Member to the Victorian Urban Fire Brigades Association from 1984 until 2007 representing then Region 6. For his service to the Association Graeme was awarded Association Life Membership in 1994 and a Gold Star Award.
On behalf of VFBV and all fellow CFA volunteers, we offer our deepest condolences to Graeme’s family, friends, loved ones, the Colac brigade and fellow firefighters at this sad time.
Group FCVs
VFBV delegates on the Joint Equipment and Infrastructure Committee have worked tirelessly over a number of years to demonstrate to CFA the shortfall in annual Group allowances to cover the realistic cost of the annual servicing and maintenance of forward command vehicles (FCVs).
Given the critically important role these vehicles play and acknowledging that Groups are quite limited in the amount and type of fundraising that they can do so as not to impact on their brigade’s own efforts, VFBV has been arguing for an increase to Group allowances to cover the full cost of FCV servicing.
As of the 1 July, CFA has agreed to move all Group FCVs onto the centralised Fleet plan, which will mean all servicing (as per manufacturers servicing schedule), tyre and battery replacements will now be billed directly to CFA. Groups may also continue to use their local service providers, ensuring you can still support your local community.
This is an outstanding result, and VFBV thanks all delegates for their efforts. We also acknowledge and thank CFA for considering this request, acknowledging that current CFA budgets make initiatives such as this very difficult.
New windscreen stickers are being distributed to Groups, along with correspondence requesting Groups make contact with their nominated service providers to make them aware of the central billing arrangement.
King’s Birthday Honours
VFBV congratulates CFA members Stephen Hicks from Pakenham Upper brigade and Deputy Chief Officer Gavin Thompson who received the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) among 730 Australian’s honoured in the King’s Birthday Honours list this year.
Deputy Group Officer Stephen Hicks AFSM has been a member of CFA for more than 49 years. He has been recognised for his outstanding service to CFA as a leader, trainer and mentor and for his efforts and achievements in fire preparedness, fire prevention and fire response.
Deputy Chief Officer Gavin Thompson AFSM began his service to CFA as a junior member at Bayswater and progressed through the volunteer ranks before joining CFA as a recruit firefighter. Gavin has been recognised for his commitment above and beyond what is normally expected of fire service personnel as well as his efforts in developing those around him to enhance the capacity of CFA and CFA volunteers.
VFBV congratulates Stephen and Gavin for their outstanding contribution to CFA and broader community.
Congratulations are also extended to the current and former members of CFA who were honoured with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) and to James Mullins who was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his significant contribution to firefighting.
Affiliation
Again in 2023/24, CFA Brigades and Groups showed it is more important than ever that volunteers have a strong, united, independent and credible voice with almost 95% of Brigades demonstrating strong support for VFBV’s important work representing and advocating for all CFA volunteers. Thank you to all brigades and groups that affiliated last year.
Brigade and Group secretaries have received the 2024/25 renewal notices for VFBV Affiliation and Welfare Fund subscriptions with a due date of 30 June, 2024.
The Board is determined that brigades/groups should benefit from the strong governance of the association and have reduced the affiliation rate from $84 to $75.
We strongly encourage Brigades to also subscribe to the VFBV Welfare Fund. The Welfare Fund is a capital fund and an exclusive benefit to affiliated members with VFBV funding all the administration and operating costs ensuring 100% of funds received go directly to CFA volunteers experiencing personal hardship.
The VFBV Welfare Fund provides small grants up to $5,000 to assist volunteer members and long service ex members. The Welfare Fund has distributed more than $2.5 million dollars to volunteers in need since its inception.
VFBV Board
Vacancies on the VFBV Board will arise when the terms of four VFBV Board members expire on 1 October 2024. Of the four members whose terms are expiring, two are eligible for re-appointment.
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 office at (03) 9886 1141.
Applications close on Monday 2 September 2024.
SOP feedback
CFA has recently released another 17 revised SOP’s for volunteer feedback and consultation. At time of press, we are currently undertaking a log of changes and will prepare SOP feedback surveys once we have completed our analysis of changes. These will be uploaded to the VFBV website shortly.
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.
The following revised SOP’s are shortly due to close for feedback; SOP 3.01 Management of Junior Members; 5.05 Use of CFA Equipment; 7.01 Local Procedure Development; 7.05 Water Supplies for Firefighting; 7.07 Station Siren Use; 8.01 Incident Controller and CFA Agency Commander; 8.04 Transfer of Control; 9.13 Keeping Logs and Documents; 9.16 Media Management; and 9.18 Use of Personal Mobile Devices During Incidents.
Please visit the VFBV website to access drafts and change logs to help guide your feedback.
Fire Wise – July 2024 online only edition
The July 2024 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 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.
Recent articles on the VFBV website
Consultation Dashboard
Feedback Requested – Standard Operating Procedures (Various)
Presumptive Legislation Update
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.
Two CFA members have been honoured in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours List with the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) alongside more than 730 other Australians.
Stephen Hicks AFSM – Stephen has been a CFA member for more than 49 years and is a current member of the Pakenham Upper Fire Brigade. During his service, Stephen has held many roles including Captain, Lieutenant Deputy Group Officer. Stephen has been recognised for his outstanding service to CFA as a leader, trainer and mentor and for his efforts and achievements in fire preparedness, fire prevention and fire response. You can read more about Stephen here.
Gavin Thompson AFSM – Gavin began his service with CFA more than 30 years ago as a junior member at Bayswater before transferring to the Boronia brigade where he became a firefighter and rising through the ranks to 1st Lieutenant before joining CFA as a recruit firefighter. Now serving as Deputy Chief Officer – North West Region, Gavin has been recognised for his commitment above and beyond what is normally expected of fire service personnel as well as his effort in developing those around him to enhance the capacity of CFA. You can read more about Gavin here.
VFBV extends its sincere congratulations to both Stephen and Gavin for this worthy recognition of their service to CFA and wider Victorian community.
VFBV also congratulates five additional Victorian’s who were honoured with the Australian Fire Service Medal from other Victorian fire services: Nigel Brennan (FFMV), Chris Hardman (FFMV), Gregory Keighery (FRV) and Cory Woodyatt (FRV). As well as former Northern Territory firefighter and current Swan Hill Fire Brigade member Geoffrey Kenna was also honoured with an AFSM for his leadership as volunteer in the Northern Territory over 27 years.
A number of other past and present CFA members were also honoured on the King’s Birthday. Dr James Mullins from Grovedale was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM), while Wilhelmina Armstrong, Eric Bumpstead, Phillip Collins, Robert Dean, Michael McLaughlin, Karen Noonan, Bernard Sinnott and Dianne Spark were each awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).
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
Guide to Preparing Nominations for the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM)
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Budget questions remain
By Adam Barnett, VFBV Chief Executive Officer
The most frequent questions I am receiving is about the state of the CFA budget. You would be forgiven for thinking that after the handing down of the Victorian State Budget for the 2024/25 financial year last month, that we would all have clarity around the CFA budget for the upcoming year. Sadly, it is impossible to determine what the CFA budget is through the budget papers.
In case you thought that was a typo, let me be clear. Believe it or not, trying to determine the level of fire service funding through the budget papers is an exercise in futility. One cannot help but reach the conclusion that this is by design. American revolutionist Patrick Henry puts it best: “The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure, when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.”
The reality is – the budget papers do not detail the funding allocations to the fire service, but rather obfuscate and hide these budgets by lumping them all together under ‘Emergency Management Capability’ within the Department of Justice and Community Safety. In addition to CFA and FRV, also lumped into this category are expenses for EMV, SES and Triple Zero Vic.
And because EMV’s budget is secret – there is no transparency about where that funding goes to.
But we can infer some outcomes from the budget papers, and I’ll try to walk you through what we know so far. First, let’s start with the good news.
The Government has continued its support for the popular Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP), recommitting $15 million for this year’s program. The budget also allocates $18.58 million spread over the next three years to replace 15 CFA pumpers. We certainly welcome and commend these additional allocations.
Unfortunately though, that concludes the good news.
Let’s start with the capital budget. There was no new funding announced for any CFA tanker replacements. So when you hear announcements about MPs posing in front of new tankers – they were the tankers promised back in 2020.
Given VFBV’s estimates that CFA needs to invest at least $30 million a year just to stop the average fleet age going backwards, this year’s commitments are woefully short. This is yet another year where presumably the problem is just tucked under the rug for somebody else to sort out. What won’t go away is the 700 creaking old single cab tankers that still force firefighters to ride on the back of the truck separated from the driver and crew leader.
Some of these are now 35 years old, almost double their useful lifespan. The reality is as these tankers get older and older and are extended so far past their useful life, when they do become inoperable there will be no trucks in the pipeline to replace them. Given it will cost more than $350 million just to replace these aging vehicles alone, the seriousness of the chronic under funding to the fleet becomes clear.
And due to historic under investment, there is limited capacity in the local manufacturing industry to handle large urgent orders for new trucks, even if the agencies decided to order them all tomorrow. So, our warning to government continues to be it is approaching a cliff with potentially catastrophic outcomes if this problem continues to be ignored.
Then we get to CFA base budget. Again, the budget papers offer very little detail, but we can start to make some educated guesses. The budget has allocated the exact same amount to “Emergency Management Capability” for the 2024/25 period as it did for the 2023/24 budget. In other words, not a single extra dollar has been provided in the upcoming budget than was budgeted for in the previous year.
No new money means the budgets have not even been indexed, meaning CPI increases of everyday expenses will have to be absorbed by existing budgets. Using the current CPI means this is an effective cut of 3.6%
Further, it also means any wage increases negotiated into staff industrial agreements have not been budgeted for, meaning all annual increases to wages already approved in current agreements will need to be absorbed. In other words – agencies will need to make cuts elsewhere to afford increasing employee costs.
Then we have the government’s emergency service razor gang. This gang was established by the government last year and is made up of each of the departmental secretaries from the Department of Justice and Community Safety, Department of Treasury and Department of Premier and Cabinet. Calling themselves the “Emergency Services Organisation Finance Board” their job is rumoured to be to identify cuts to achieve another 10% in savings. Given the budget cuts already made to CFA over the last three years, and the historic chronic under funding, this represents one of the largest threats to emergency services in decades.
One can only hope this group looks very closely at the $24.7 million dollars the government has found over the next three years to flush money down the toilet by replacing the current State Control Centre Workforce with a new fulltime EMV public service workforce.
If that weren’t outrageous enough, the cherry on the cake comes from the government announcement that it is hiking the annual fire services properly levy tax to pay for FRV overspends. The increased levy is expected to collect an additional $186 million in taxes from property owners. Given CFA has not received a single extra dollar in their budget, and the levy can only be used for CFA and FRV, it does not take Einstein to figure out that residents in CFA areas are now cross subsidising FRV’s out of control costs for the 85 fire stations they operate, vs the 1,211 stations that CFA operates on just a third of the funding.
Now we get to what I call the long con. The government’s narrative for increasing the FSL is that it has been under collecting. Again it hopes Victorians have very short memories. Remember in 2017 during the height of the controversy over the government’s fire services reforms, and the exodus of CFA and MFB senior executives who, along with VFBV, warned anyone that would listen that the proposed reforms and generous deals would send the cost of delivering paid fire services through the roof?
To divert attention from these predictions, the government back then announced a temporary ‘freeze’ in the FSL, an obvious ploy to trick the general public into thinking the proposed reforms would have no impact on future fire service levies.
Throw in another freeze conveniently attributed to COVID, and then in 2020 it announced it was scrapping differential rates for CFA and FRV (MFB) areas and moving to a new “streamlined” system. In the same year, CFA’s budget was slashed. Under the “old” FSL system – these savings would have been passed onto residents living in CFA areas. But under the new system – these savings were evenly distributed to include residents in FRV areas that were now using the most expensive fire service in Australia.
The objective was obviously to hope the public would not connect this year’s hefty levy increase to the very reforms that hiked up costs in the first place. The MFB budget allocation in 2020 was $461 million, with FRV’s first year of operation in 2021 jumping to $859 million.
Brigades have already started to notify us of public backlash over the increased FSL, and rightly so – therefore it is critically important that members ensure they educate concerned members of the public that none of that increase is going to CFA.
Put the last three years of fire service budgets side by side, and CFA’s annual grant from government has decreased every year for the last three years. Below you will find a chart we have compiled comparing the last ten years of government funding to CFA. (a larger version of the graph can be downloaded at the bottom of this page)
(For a full size picture please click here.)
For members interacting with MPs at public events and functions, don’t allow them to get away with the statement they have invested more in Victoria’s Fire Services than any government previously. This is just another way of saying – they have invested more in FRV than any government prior, while funding for CFA has been slashed.
Now that Victorians are paying for these excesses through increased taxes and levies, it remains to be seen if government will respond to rising anger and concern and reverse its support for arrangements that are clearly not working and are no longer affordable, if they ever were. The secondment agreement should be the first thing thrown overboard.
VFBV is demanding that CFA receives its fair share of the Fire Service Levy, and we will continue to object to residents living in CFA areas effectively cross subsiding FRV’s out of control costs.
While this year’s CFA budget is yet to be announced, members are requested to seek an assurance from their local government MP that they commit to no more cuts to the CFA budget and ensuring CFA’s aging fleet age be addressed. Given they have hiked up the FSL to collect an additional $186 million dollars this year alone, this should not be a hard ask and members should ask how much of this extra revenue will flow to CFA.
You can find your members by visiting the Victorian Electoral Commission website.
NEW CFA CHAIR
I was extremely disappointed to learn of the recent resignation of CFA Chair Mr Greg Wilson, that was announced by government on 23 May.
Greg was appointed to the CFA Board in 2020 following reform and at a time that can only be described as one of the most tumultuous periods in CFA’s history. Greg not only won my personal respect but was broadly admired and respected throughout the VFBV network for his quiet but effective leadership.
Among other things, Greg oversaw the strengthening of CFA’s relationship with VFBV and its commitment to supporting volunteers and was instrumental in re-committing the board to honouring its obligations under the Volunteer Charter which had taken a serious hammering under previous leadership.
I will miss his wise counsel and his steady and reliable stewardship of Victoria’s largest emergency service. Greg has also stepped down from Chair of the SES as he enjoys some well-earned rest post-retirement.
We wish him all the best and thank him most sincerely for his contribution to CFA.
The government has announced CFA Deputy Chair Ms Jo Plummer has been appointed as CFA’s new Chair effective immediately and we welcome Jo to the role.
VALE
We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Association Life Member Ex Captain Michael “Mick” Sanderson AFSM on the 4th May.
Mick was a member of the Seymour Fire Brigade for almost 70 years, including significant service to the Association by way of serving as an Executive member to the Victorian Urban Fire Brigades Association (VUFBA) for 22 years, and was a District/Regional Council President of our D12 Council for more than 20 years. Mick was a recipient of the VFBV Gold Star, and was awarded his AFSM in 2008.
Mick was a well-respected member across the state, and was a regular fixture over many decades at State Urban Championships as a judge and official. His passion for encouraging juniors and supporting the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal was well known across the District.
On behalf of VFBV and all fellow CFA volunteers, we offer our deepest condolences to wife Yvonne, daughters Rhonda, Chris and Dianne, extended family, friends and loved ones including all members of the Seymour Fire Brigade.
VESEP
Applications close Friday 14th June 2024
Applications are now open for the 2024 Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP), with the closing date of 14 June fast approaching.
VFBV has updated its VESEP Help Pack to assist brigades and groups with their VESEP applications. The Help Pack is available for download from the VFBV website.
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.
Now in its 24th year, VESEP first started out as the Community Safety Emergency Support Program in 2000 and was designed in close consultation with VFBV, with the intent being a grants program designed by volunteers with minimal administration required from volunteers.
VFBV wishes all CFA Brigades and Groups well with your applications and thanks you for your untiring service to Victoria!
SOP feedback
A reminder that we are seeking feedback on various Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that are out for consultation. Thirteen SOPs have been modified and 10 are now available for review.
These are SOP 3.01 Management of Junior Members; 5.05 Use of CFA Equipment; 7.01 Local Procedure Development; 7.05 Water Supplies for Firefighting; 7.07 Station Siren Use; 8.01 Incident Controller and CFA Agency Commander; 8.04 Transfer of Control; 9.13 Keeping Logs and Documents; 9.16 Media Management; and 9.18 Use of Personal Mobile Devices During Incidents.
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.
Please visit the VFBV website to access the draft SOPs. A feedback survey is also available from the VFBV website for those who prefer to provide feedback that way.
VFBV Board positions
Vacancies on the VFBV Board will arise wen the terms of four VFBV Board members expire on 1 October 2024. Of the four members whose terms are expiring, two are eligible for re-appointment.
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 office at (03) 9886 1141.
Applications close on Monday 2 September 2024.
‘Give us a hand’ campaign
This year’s CFA recruitment campaign continues, with a toolkit having been developed to assist brigades tailor and customise the various resources available.
Members can download and link to videos, tailor social media tiles, or customise a recruitment flyer or poster you can use in your local community.
Stock photo’s and audio are also included to assist the campaigns keep a consistent look, but allow brigades to tailor to their specific circumstance. Our delegates to the Joint Member Services Committee have been please to contribute to the suggestions, and encourage brigades to use the resources available to assist with local recruitment drives.
Volunteer Unity
Again in 2023/24, CFA Brigades and Groups showed it is more important than ever that volunteers have a strong, united, independent and credible voice with almost 95% of Brigades demonstrating strong support for VFBV’s important work representing and advocating for all CFA volunteers. Thank you to all brigades and groups who affiliated last year.
Brigade and Group secretaries have received the 2024/25 renewal notices for your Brigade/Groups’ VFBV Affiliation and Welfare Fund subscriptions with a due date of 30th June, 2024.
The Board is determined that brigades/groups should benefit from the strong governance of the association and have reduced the affiliation rate from $84 to $75.
Those who pay VFBV affiliations before 30 June will be automatically entered into a draw to win one of four extremely worthwhile prizes valued at approximately $4,000. Prizes have, for the fourth year running, been donated by GAAM Emergency Products and Powdersafe and we sincerely thank them for their continued support.
We strongly encourage Brigades to also subscribe to the VFBV Welfare Fund. The Welfare Fund is a capital fund and an exclusive benefit to affiliated members with VFBV funding all the administration and operating costs ensuring 100% of funds received go directly to CFA volunteers experiencing personal hardship. The VFBV Welfare Fund provides small grants up to $5,000 to assist volunteer members and long service ex members. The Welfare Fund has distributed more than $2.5 million dollars to volunteers in need since its inception.
Quarterly Supplement
Included with the June 2024 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.
Leading for Better Mental Health
The Emergency Services Foundation (ESF) has announced it has received funding for three ‘Leading for better Mental Health’ programs for 2024.
The Leading for Better Mental Health (LfBMH) program was developed from a comprehensive literature review, extensive consultation and targeted evidence gathering activities to understand the gaps between leadership for mental health leading practice and current agency activities.
A unique element of the Leading for Better Mental Health program is that the facilitators meet with participants in advance to understand their individual leadership challenges and expectations of the program. This provides a deeper understanding of the working environment and cultural issues to tailor the program to meet the specific needs of the group. This approach serves another purpose. It demonstrates how reflection and conversation can be applied by a team leader. It helps to build a trusted relationship that carries into the program and its coaching element.
Each program has a maximum cohort of 25 participants, and involved four days face to face over a 12 week period and is available to all current and emerging emergency service leaders, including Group Officers, Captains and Lieutenants.
To find out more, or apply, please visit the ESF website.
Recent articles on the VFBV website
National Volunteer Week 2024
2024 VESEP Applications Now Open and VFBV Help Pack
Feedback Requested – Standard Operating Procedures (Various)
Presumptive Legislation Update
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.
This week (20 – 26 May) is National Volunteer Week, a week that provides an opportunity to highlight the important role of volunteers in our communities and invites people not currently volunteering to give it a go.
The theme for National Volunteer Week this year is, Something for Everyone. Which fits emergency service volunteering quite nicely considering the myriad of roles available within CFA and other emergency services.
The theme also recognises the diverse passions and talents that everyone brings to an organisation when they volunteer as well as emphasising that there is a place for everyone in the world of volunteering.
VFBV passes on our deep gratitude, respect and appreciation to all CFA volunteers for the work you do in your communities, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Victorians are safer because of your work and we could not be more proud of you, your brigades and all those that support you in your work protecting lives and property.
It’s not just CFA volunteers who contribute to the safety of Victoria however, there are also volunteers from the broader emergency services sector such as 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. Each of these organisations work together to contribute time, skills and resources to ensure the safety of Victorians.
The value of these 100,000 emergency service volunteers to the Victorian economy was conservatively estimated by The 3V’s report by Lateral Economics to be between $1.9 and $2.5 billion in value each year.
From VFBV, thank you and well done for your incredible dedication and service to the people of Victoria, not just this week, but every hour, day, week and month of the year.
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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, business and the public. Our vision is for Strong Volunteerism, Embraced to Build Community Resilience for a Safer Victoria. |
Want to read more about CFA volunteers?
VFBV regularly publish stories about CFA volunteers, please explore our website to discover some of these amazing stories.
Interested in becoming a CFA volunteer?
Visit https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/volunteers-careers/volunteer-with-cfa to find out more information.
Everyone can help someone
By Adam Barnett, VFBV Chief Executive Officer
Later this month we will celebrate National Volunteer Week, which this year runs between the 20th–26th May 2024.
This year’s theme is ‘Something for Everyone’ which fits emergency service volunteering quite nicely considering the myriad of roles available within CFA. The key message for this year’s theme is about emphasising that there’s a place for everyone in the world of volunteering.
And while my go to Ronald Reagan quote is usually his tongue in cheek wise crack: “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the government and I’m here to help”, I will pivot to the more subject appropriate quote of “We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.”
As you would expect, I spend a lot of my time talking about all things ‘volunteer’ to many people who may not volunteer themselves. This is often the case when dealing with government, the public service and even business groups. Sadly, it has also become more common when dealing with people within the emergency management sector itself, and even when meeting some new CFA staff.
While I don’t think being an emergency service volunteer should be a mandatory prerequisite, it is important for those that have influential roles or responsibilities within the sector to have a very good understanding of the volunteer ethos, its culture, and how volunteers should be encouraged, respected, supported and appreciated.
When people roll their eyes over what they deem to be a pretty inconsequential complaint by volunteers, I ask how many of their staff would show up for work if the agency sent out an email advising all staff they wouldn’t be paid for the next two weeks due to budget cuts.
Think of all the things an organisation would need to do to encourage its staff to still want to come to work for free, and then think about what’s required to run a fully volunteer organisation not for two weeks, but for 365 days of the year.
Of late, some think its is totally acceptable to mirror arrangements for employees and expect volunteers to be treated exactly the same. Follow this through its logical conclusion, and if roles were reversed and employees had to give up their salaries but still continue to come to work – imagine the chaos and low morale.
Why then is it so difficult to understand treating volunteers like employees will similarly result in chaos and low morale.
And while just being a volunteer does not automatically qualify you as understanding these things or being proficient in the principles of volunteer management, it certainly goes some way to provide valuable context and personal experiences that may enlighten further development down the track.
For those that do have a background in volunteering, more often than not it is often involvement in non-formal volunteering, which is kind of the- ‘all care and no responsibility’ flavour of volunteering. That’s not to say that this type of volunteering is bad, and I certainly mean no disrespect - it just simply does not create a reference point for people who have not had experience in formal volunteering for an emergency service that also includes a significant amount of obligation, the real risk of hurting yourself, as well as the removal of the flexibility to volunteer where and when they would like.
Anyone with a pager knows that emergency incidents rarely occur when convenient, nor can they be planned or blacked out in one’s diary when planning the week.
It’s not until you start truly appreciating the sacrifices that CFA and other emergency service volunteers make that you can start to really appreciate and respect it. Then there is the type of incidents emergency service volunteers frequently attend that can weigh on your soul. I often describe CFA volunteers as being with Victorians on what is often the worse day of their lives. Therefore, the mental toll is as real as the physical, and often requires significant cognitive energy to ensure these aftereffects are managed and treated.
All this is to say, that when people tell me they really respect volunteers, I often pause to consider the context with which the statement is made. The words are easy, but genuine respect can only be given if the role and duty that emergency service volunteers give is truly understood. Only then can one really value and respect something.
I reflect on the occasions when someone has been accused of disrespecting CFA volunteers, and this is often followed by an exclamation that no this isn’t so - they love volunteers and really admire what they do.
It then takes patience and deliberate effort to walk them through the logic of an ignorant though well-meaning sentiment, versus an informed knowledge of and appreciation of how volunteers differ from a paid workforce. Again, these sentiments are often not made maliciously, but the effect is none the less often the same.
In this vein, I wish to use this year’s Volunteer Week to continue to contribute towards a better understanding of the value that emergency service volunteers bring to Victoria.
We know from the work we did with Lateral Economics a few years back, that Victoria’s emergency service volunteers generate more than $2.5 billion dollars of value to Victoria each and every year. Of that, $1.4 billion is what we call emergency management value per year. This is defined as the contribution of volunteers to the direct outcomes achieved by emergency services before, during and after emergencies. This includes response, but also considers prevention/mitigation, preparedness, as well as recovery.
It should be pointed out this is not the replacement value and only represents a very conservative partial cost approach to quantify the value. That is value and saved money that gets diverted to schools, hospitals and other essential programs.
The more misunderstood component of the $2.5 billion is the $900 million that is generated every year that emergency service volunteers provide in community strengthening value. This refers to the broader and sometimes indirect ways in which emergency service volunteering helps to strengthen communities. In other words - visible, active, positive emergency volunteerism in a community can make a difference to society as a whole. Concepts fire service outcome measurements do not even pretend to contemplate.
Rather than paraphrase, I’ll reproduce the observations of Nicholas Gruen the CEO from Lateral Economics after studying Victoria’s emergency service volunteers. Nicholas is a widely published and respected Australian economist, visiting professor at King’s College London’s Policy Institute, and is the former chair of the Australian Centre for Social Innovation.
“Thinkers and philosophers have deliberated through the eons over the question of which is more important—the individual or society? The discipline of economics is built on ‘methodological individualism’ in which the wellbeing and functioning of groups is seen as no more than the sum of their individual constituents. Nevertheless economics’ ‘founding father’, Adam Smith, had a different view, building his economics around a view of humanity set out in his first book – The Theory of Moral Sentiments in which individuals became individuals as we know them through the process of being socialised into the values of their family and, beyond that, their community.”
“It is not necessary to decide the question definitively for our purposes. What we can say is that certain outcomes of the 3Vs [Volunteers, Volunteering & Volunteerism] are far more concrete than others. The value of saving a house from being engulfed in a bushfire is clear to all conceptually, and, at least in principle, it is easy to measure its economic value.”
“This is far less true of the value individuals get from volunteering and even less true of the value communities gain from individuals within them volunteering. In this regard those close to volunteering— volunteers themselves and many who help organise them—are anxious that the value creation that is easiest to measure not crowd out that which is no less real for being difficult to measure.”
So during this year’s Volunteer Week while I acknowledge the incredible work our members do each and every day in protecting their communities from fire and other emergencies, I would also like to especially thank you for the community building, social capital and cohesion you each contribute to, that makes up a large part of the public value generated by your efforts.
‘Public value’ is the philosophy of performance measurement used to evaluate the value produced normally but not exclusively by public bodies and that is ‘consumed’ collectively by the citizenry rather than individually by clients or customers.
When you drill down into the four main domains that are often used to measure public value, it is clear the value proposition that CFA generates for Victoria. Public value can be measured by the outcomes achieved; the extent to which the organisation and activities are trusted and perceived to be legitimate; the extent to which the services delivered are high quality and match the need; and finally the extent to which an organisation is achieving maximal benefits with minimal resources. When you compare the public value of some current government priorities using these measurements, the disparity is clear.
With that in mind, we will be closely monitoring the Victorian budget due early this month. CFA volunteers will have every right to judge the tangible level of respect that the Victorian Government really has for its emergency service volunteers by way of its investment and resourcing (or lack thereof) of these essential emergency services.
If CFA and volunteer emergency services are truly judged by their public value and not by other measures such as political convenience, or industrial relations alignment, then CFA volunteers and the millions of Victorians that rely on their services will have nothing to worry about.
And while I fear this may not be the case, please take this moment to celebrate the incredible work that you do and the lives that you change for the better - each and every day.
SOP Feedback
A reminder that we are seeking feedback on various Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that are out for consultation.
Thirteen SOPs have been modified and ten are now available for review. These are SOP 3.01 Management of Junior Members; 5.05 Use of CFA Equipment; 7.01 Local Procedure Development; 7.05 Water Supplies for Firefighting; 7.07 Station Siren Use; 8.01 Incident Controller and CFA Agency Commander; 8.04 Transfer of Control; 9.13 Keeping Logs and Documents; 9.16 Media Management; and 9.18 Use of Personal Mobile Devices During Incidents.
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.
Please visit the VFBV website to access drafts and change logs to help guide your feedback. A feedback survey is also available from the VFBV website for those who prefer to provide feedback that way.
National Volunteer Week
The week of 20-26 May is National Volunteer Week, a week that provides an opportunity to highlight the important role of volunteers in our communities and invites people not currently volunteering to give it a go.
The theme for National Volunteer Week is Something for Everyone. This recognises the diverse passions and talents everyone brings to the act of volunteering. It’s an invitation to explore the myriad of opportunities available, emphasising that there’s a place for everyone in the world of volunteering.
VFBV passes on our deep gratitude, respect and appreciation to all CFA volunteers for the work you do in your communities, 24/7. Victorians are safer because of your work and VFBV could not be more proud of you, your brigades and all those that support you in your work protecting lives and property.
We acknowledge 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 for their wonderful contribution.
VESEP
Applications are now open for the 2024 Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP), with the closing date fast approaching.
VFBV has updated its Help Pack to assist brigades and groups with their applications. The Help Pack is available for download from the VFBV website.
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.
In its 24th year, VESEP first started out as the Community Safety Emergency Support Program in 2000 and was designed in close consultation with VFBV, with the intent of being a grants program designed by volunteers with minimal administration required from volunteers.
VFBV wishes all CFA Brigades and Groups well with your applications.
VFBV Board positions
Vacancies on the VFBV Board will arise when the terms of four VFBV Board members expire on the 1st October 2024. Of the four members whose terms are expiring, two are eligible for re-appointment.
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 office at (03) 9886 1141.
Applications close on Monday 2nd September 2024.
CFA Memorial Service
On Sunday May 5th, the Annual CFA Memorial Service was held at the Victorian Emergency Services Memorial in Treasury Gardens in the Melbourne CBD to honour firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
This year’s service was particularly poignant as it acknowledged and recognised the loss of two of CFA’s long-serving members who died in the line of duty in the past year; Greg Godkin of Donald brigade in August 2023 and Garry Mallen of Portland brigade in January 2024.
If you were unable to attend the service, you can view a livestream of the service on CFA’s YouTube channel.
Volunteer unity
Thank you for members’ strong show of support!
Again in 2023/24, CFA Brigades and Groups showed it is more important than ever that volunteers have a strong, united, independent and credible voice with almost 95% of Brigades demonstrating strong support for VFBV’s important work representing and advocating for all CFA volunteers. Thank you to all that affiliated last year.
In the coming weeks, Brigade and Group secretaries will receive the 2024/25 renewal notices for your Brigade/Groups’ VFBV Affiliation and Welfare Fund subscriptions with a due date of 30th June, 2024.
The Board is determined that brigades/groups should benefit from the strong governance of the association and have reduced the affiliation rate from $84 to $75.
Those who pay VFBV affiliations before 30th June will be automatically entered into a draw to win one of four extremely worthwhile prizes valued at approximately $4,000. Prizes have, for the fourth year running, been donated by GAAM Emergency Products and Powdersafe and we sincerely appreciate their continued support.
We strongly encourage Brigades to also subscribe to the VFBV Welfare Fund. The Welfare Fund is a capital fund and an exclusive benefit to affiliated members with VFBV funding all the administration and operating costs ensuring 100% of funds received go directly to CFA volunteers experiencing personal hardship. The VFBV Welfare Fund provides small grants up to $5,000 to assist volunteer members and long service ex members and has distributed more than $2.5 million dollars to volunteers in need since its inception.
Fire Wise – May 2024 online only edition
The May 2024 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 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.
ESF Residential Wellbeing Program Pilot
In April 2024 the Emergency Services Foundation (ESF) started a pilot Residential Wellbeing Program.
The pilot will involve six groups of ten people in residence for four days to work with two mental health counsellors familiar with the emergency services environment. The six pilot programs will take place between April and October this year and are open to members from ESF member agencies who met certain criteria.
For more information about the Residential Wellbeing Program and to register please visit the ESF website.
Recent articles on the VFBV website
Open for Consultation Dashboard
VFBV Board Vacancies – Invitation to Apply
Feedback Requested – Standard Operating Procedures (Various)
2024 VESEP Applications Now Open and VFBV Help Pack
CFA Annual Memorial Service 2024
Presumptive Legislation Update
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The Annual Memorial Service will be held on Sunday 5 May at Treasury Gardens, Melbourne to honour firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
This year’s memorial service will mark the 36th event, which has been held since 1987, with the only cancellation being 2020 due to the pandemic.
Location: The service will be held at the Victorian Emergency Services Memorial in Treasury Gardens, 2-18 Spring Street, East Melbourne
Date: 2.00pm on Sunday 5 May
Dress: CFA uniform or smart casual
The 2024 Annual Memorial Service for Firefighters is a free event, to attend please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone 0428 406 012
Family members and friends, CFA and Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV) executives as well as government representatives will come together to lay wreaths, light candles, remember lives and honour the personal sacrifices and commitment firefighters make each and every day.
VFBV CEO Adam Barnett spoke about the importance of the annual memorial service for not only the families, friends and loved ones of the fallen, but for all members.
“The annual memorial service is a time for us to come together either in person or in spirit to remember and honour the 82 CFA firefighters (including 11 from pre-1944) who have selflessly given their lives to protect the lives of other Victorians.
"And while the service is always solemn and reflective, it is also an important opportunity to reflect on our history as we pay tribute to those lost and reflect on the importance of the work we all do in making our communities safer.”
Applications should be submitted to your District ACFO by Friday 14th June, 2024.
Applications are now open for the 2024 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.
Now in its 24th 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.
Since 2000, the program has funded over 2,300 projects totalling more than $170 million dollars, as an investment in maintaining and building volunteer capability by supporting volunteers through grants in five categories:
- Volunteer amenities under $5,000
- Minor works under $150,000^
- Operational Equipment
- Specialist Appliances and Field Command Vehicles
- Tankers*
^all minor works applications must be registered with the VESEP Land & Buildings Project Manager via email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 31st May, 2024. Applications not pre-registered for review will not be considered by the Steering Committee.
*as with previous years, CFA have advised that additions to the fleet will be afforded a low priority with only exceptional circumstances being considered by the Chief Officer. An Addition to the Fire Fighting Fleet form will be required to be completed and approved by the District ACFO and Regional DCO.
VFBV Help Pack
VFBV's VESEP Application Help Pack is again available in 2024 to assist Brigades and Groups in completing their application, with the pack divided into easily downloadable sections at the bottom of this page.
| VFBV VESEP Help Pack | Contains general information about VESEP and some handy hints on how to complete your application |
| Attachment 1 |
Application forms for Special Access Grant The Special Access Grant can reduce or in some cases eliminate all together the Brigade/Group contribution |
| Attachment 2 |
CFA VESEP Guidelines The Special Access Grant can reduce or in some cases eliminate all together the Brigade/Group contribution |
| Attachment 3 |
CFA Application Forms Provides Brigades and Groups with application forms for Part A: Vehicles and Operational Equipment, Part B: Volunteer Amenities and Minor Works and Addition to the Fire Fighting Appliance Fleet Operational Justification. |
| Appendix |
CFA Information Sheets Collates all information sheets produced by CFA to assist with Brigade and Group applications and ideas. |
Key Dates
| Program Dates | Process |
| 19th April 2024 | Program opened |
| 31st May 2024 |
Registrations close for Minor Works Applications. Email registration to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
| 14th June 2024 |
Applications Close. All applications to be forwarded to District ACFO |
| 14th June - 24th June 2024 | DPC Meetings to review and endorse applications. |
| 12th August 2024 | CFA Steering Committee meeting to review/endorse projects |
| October 2024 | Anticipated Ministers announcement of successful projects |
Additional Support
If you need any assistance with you Application please contact your local VFBV State Councillor, VFBV Support Officer of the VFBV Office. You can also email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
If you would like a printed copy of the VFBV 2024 VESEP Application Help Pack please call the VFBV office on 03 9886 1141 and we will post one out.
Information is also available from CFA Members Online https://www.members.cfa.vic.gov.au/programs/vesep
VFBV wishes all CFA Brigades and Groups well with your applications and thank you for your untiring service to Victoria!
Chicken or egg
By Adam Barnett, VFBV Chief Executive Officer
Which came first – the chicken or the egg? Before you get too uptight, no – I’m not about to prattle on about this causality dilemma considered by many ancient philosophers exploring things like infinite regress and origin paradox’s. Religion has had a crack with origin stories, and scientists have their evolutionary biology explanations. From a science perspective, tempted as I may be, I won’t even publish a spoiler, but I will say that perhaps the answer isn’t as clear cut as you may think. For the inquisitive among you, I have short linked an Australian source – the Australian Academy of Science that provide their answer – (https://tinyurl.com/vfbv-chicken)
But I digress. My main point is around the difficulty posed by situations where it is challenging to determine between alleged causes and effects. One of the most common discussion points that I frequently hear among brigades is the age-old recruitment and retention riddle. Again, people often approach this as a binary decision between does CFA have a recruitment or a retention problem? One or the other.
If we look at these separately, lets start with recruitment. While “volunteering” is generally thought to be in decline in Australia, these often-simplistic measurements often hide what’s really going on in the detail. For example, recent longitudinal studies often don’t separate out the COVID period and lockdowns that made many volunteering opportunities impossible and wiped out most of the “formal” volunteering sector during these periods.
These prophecies also ignore the fact that our form of volunteering – emergency service volunteering – accounts for just a tiny little fraction of total volunteers – so the potential pool of volunteers is still massive providing we look after them and meet their volunteering “needs”.
The COVID period of disruption proved what many of us have said for a very long time. Protect emergency service volunteering – as once you lose something as valuable as our volunteering culture – it is very hard to get it back. And while arguably CFA volunteers were able to participate in some activities during the COVID years – many discovered just how pervasive their volunteering had become over other facets of their lives. It’s not unusual for this to be a bit of a light bulb moment for some who now desire a more balanced work/life balance.
But there is also some positive in this.
This reckoning has occurred across the entire population, not just among CFA and other emergency service volunteers - and it has changed the way people want to volunteer, and what they want to get out of their volunteer experience.
The most common motivation popping out of research is many people are looking for opportunities to make a difference. They want to help people; they want to make a difference; and they want to do things that have social impact. And with more limited time on their hands with dual income families and cost of living pressures etc. people want their volunteering time to be not only impactful but efficient.
On the one hand – CFA provides a wonderful opportunity for people who want to make a difference. We literally change lives each and every day. By our very being – we literally respond to peoples’ calls for help and are often with them on the worst days of their lives. There are few vocations that are not as impactful nor rewarding as CFA.
But how do we fair on the “efficient” part of that equation. Being a CFA volunteer is not exactly time efficient. Factor in the lengthy application process, onboarding, minimum training, mandatory skills maintenance and a lot of hurry up and wait, and we don’t tick all that many boxes.
The good news for us is most people understand that if they want to be involved in a role as hazardous and impactful as that of a CFA volunteer, there is a certain amount of “overhead” that comes with that. CFA remains a very attractive organisation of choice for the first-time volunteer. This is evidenced by the high number of expressions of interest that flow in each and every year. After large summer campaigns, literally thousands of EOI’s flow in from well intentioned people wanting to pitch in and give us a hand. These aren’t evenly distributed, and the more remote brigades frequently miss out.
I only half-jokingly opined to a CFA executive recently that given all the hoops we place in front of an aspiring CFA volunteer just to get into the organisation – we really should award them a medal on day one just to acknowledge their persistence and tenacity in actually getting through it all.
This is evidenced by the massive disparity between those that express an interest and those that actually join. While the numbers fluctuate, I estimate on average only about one-fifth to one-quarter of expressions of interest actually translate to a completed application. I have cautioned many a Minister about jumping up in Parliament to extoll the thousands of people signing up to join CFA during a campaign fire. Usually timed to dodge criticism around falling vol numbers, this mirage of applicants quickly disappears when tracking the actual number of applications completing their enrolment process.
And can anyone really blame them? While the cynic in me thinks that the application process is a very good test for aspiring applicants, as really – if they are not willing to jump through some hoops to get into the organisation at the start of their career – God help them when they realise how many more hoops will remain for the rest of their involvement just to stay. Maybe its better they learn the lesson up front and set their expectations accordingly?
But when you think about it – that’s a pretty lousy excuse for a system and model that seems to delight in testing the human limits for patience and tolerance. A recent review of a nine-page medical form gives me the impression that the only Victorian likely to be worthy of membership these days is off training for the Olympics. We’ve got to do better.
Which gets us to the retention side of the equation. I saw this dilemma on full display when I observed a recent news article in a regional newspaper appealing to members of the community to get involved. The stories pointed out the excessive red tape and bureaucracy, the journalist pointed out that due to inadequate government funding the fire truck was now 30 years old and CFA can’t afford a new fire shed for them, even though the current one has no toilet. Quite correctly they pointed out how difficult it was to attract new members, especially more diverse members when people have to use the paddock or public toilet block up the hill just to go to the bathroom. The article then invited people to apply.
It’s not the brigade’s fault they are in this position. Here we have a crucial emergency service starved of funding that leaves these civic minded community champions out in a tin shed with aging equipment, and dare I say – an aging workforce. Is this not the embodiment of the ultimate disrespect that government has for its volunteer emergency services? Who thinks this would be attractive to today’s youth?
This is the impossible position the government is putting brigades and CFA more generally into. How do we possibly attract new members when budgets are being slashed and burned? It’s not exactly a great advert when we can’t afford new trucks, or new stations and we are forced to continually ration out protective equipment and clothing to try and make it go around. While government MPs sweat about 15 year old FRV trucks yet ignore 34 year old trucks rusting away in CFA sheds, and where a paid firefighter gets an automatic allocation of multiple sets of PPC, uniforms, gloves and individual portable radios for every seat in the truck, volunteers are forced to make do with much less each and every time. Despite being ten orders of magnitude larger than the paid service, CFA receives just one third of its funding and all the cuts that go along with that, rationing every glove, boot, chainsaw and hose.
For example, the new radios recently announced are fantastic – but we can’t even afford to pop a portable radio in the truck for every seat in the cabin like our sister service does. So again, CFA is forced to make do and ration them out under fancy sounding terms like “risk assessment” and “operational justification” that if we’re lucky will allocate three portables for every five seater truck, which given the incident controller often requires two – paints the picture of what volunteers have to put up with on the fireground.
And while CFA often gets blamed for these type of policy positions – what else can it do with such systemic under funding? And for those in any doubt, I will continue dropping these little budget facts in every newsletter for every week that cuts continue to be made to CFA, in the hope you will continue to raise it with your local member of parliament and keep raising it until CFA’s budget is restored.
So when people ask me if we have a recruitment problem or a retention one, I go back to my analogy of the chicken or the egg. While it may sound trivial – there is a complex story in each. I think the recruitment problems are easier to solve. This explains why recruitment is often the first thing under siege governments usually latch onto. They are quick and results are fast. But just adding more meat to the sausage machine is not the answer if the sausage machine is broken. We have to fix the sausage machine first.
At time of writing, thousands of CFA volunteers are preparing to fundraise for the Royal Children’s Hospital. Our members will selflessly rattle tins, give up a long weekend and stand on intersections to raise millions of dollars for some of Victoria’s most vulnerable children. They will then return to raising funds for their own community’s fire station, trucks and gear. They will do so while protecting their communities and responding to all manner of emergencies that will arise over the Easter long weekend, and beyond - just like every other day of the year. They will do so proudly, and humbly.
This is the epitome of a CFA volunteer. Our reason for being. Just wanting to help others. It shouldn’t have to be this hard. Victorians rely on us, and our fight for fairer funding isn’t for us – it’s for them.
State champions crowned
Over two weekends in March almost 1,000 competitors contested the 2024 State Urban and Rural Championships in Mooroopna.
Melton A had two successful weekends, winning the Grand Aggregates at both the Urban Junior and Senior Championships. While the Rural Senior Championship saw Eldorado win both the Division 1 and Division 3 Aggregate’s while Truganina A took out the Division 2 aggregate. For the Rural Junior Championship, Ascot & District won both the 11-13 years and Grand Aggregates while Napoleons-Enfield A took the honours in the 11-15 years aggregate.
The Torchlight Procession was this year held in Mooroopna with the new LED powered torches replacing the traditional kerosene torches with Melton continuing their success taking out first place with 98%. Full results from all four State Championships can be found on the VFBV website or on pages 10 to 12 of this months edition of Fire Wise and on the VFBV website.
Of course, the State Championships wouldn’t be possible without the 200 judges and officials who volunteer their time over the two weekends to ensure that the championships are run at a high standard for all competitors involved. VFBV also passes on our appreciation to the competitors, coaches, supporters and families of the competitors who keep the competitions going, as well as all CFA staff who contributed to the success of the championships.
A special thank you also to the Mooroopna State Championships committee for their hard work in preparing the competition venue for the Championships alongside the Greater Shepparton City Council who continue to support the Championships.
VFBV’s competition committees will be meeting in the coming months to review this year’s Championships. If any brigades, competitors or spectators have any feedback they would like considered by either committee please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Affiliation
Thank you for members’ strong show of support!
Again in 2023/24, CFA Brigades and Groups showed it is more important than ever that volunteers have a strong, united, independent and credible voice with 95% of Brigades demonstrating strong support for VFBV’s important work representing and advocating for all CFA volunteers. Thank you to all brigades and groups who affiliated last year.
In the coming weeks, Brigade and Group secretaries will receive the 2024/25 renewal notices for your Brigade/Groups’ VFBV Affiliation and Welfare Fund subscriptions with a due date of 30th June, 2024.
The Board is determined that brigades/groups should benefit from the strong governance of the association and have found efficiencies to allow the reduction of the affiliation rate from $84 to $75. The price set when the rural and urban associations joined together in 2013/14.
To thank Brigades and Groups for their support, those who pay VFBV affiliations before 30th June will be automatically entered into a draw to win one of four extremely worthwhile prizes valued at approximately $4,000. Prizes have, for the fourth year running, been donated by GAAM Emergency Products and Powdersafe and we sincerely thank them for their continued support. A flyer detailing prizes on offer will be included with your renewal notices.
As well as affiliating, we strongly encourage Brigades to subscribe to the VFBV Welfare Fund. The Welfare Fund is a capital fund and an exclusive benefit to affiliated members with VFBV funding all the administration and operating costs ensuring 100% of funds received go directly to CFA volunteers experiencing personal hardship.
The VFBV Welfare Fund provides small grants up to $5,000 to assist volunteer members and long service ex-members. The Welfare Fund has distributed more than $2.5 million dollars since its inception.
SOP Feedback
A reminder that we are seeking feedback on various Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that are out for consultation. The Driving SOPs will close for feedback shortly. An additional 13 SOPs have been modified and are now available for review.
These are SOP 3.01 Management of Junior Members; 5.05 Use of CFA Equipment; 7.01 Local Procedure Development; 7.05 Water Supplies for Firefighting; 7.07 Station Siren Use; 8.01 Incident Controller and CFA Agency Commander; 8.04 Transfer of Control; 9.13 Keeping Logs and Documents; 9.16 Media Management; and 9.18 Use of Personal Mobile Devices During Incidents.
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.
Please visit the VFBV website to access drafts and change logs to help guide your feedback.
VFBV Board Vacancies
Vacancies on the VFBV Board will arise when the terms of four VFBV Board members expire on 1 October 2024. Of the four members whose terms are expiring, two are eligible for re-appointment.
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 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 office at (03) 9886 1141.
Applications close on Monday 2 September 2024.
CFA Annual Firefighter Memorial Service
This year’s Annual Firefighter Memorial Service will be held on Sunday 5th May to honour firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
The service will be held at the Victorian Emergency Services Memorial in Treasury Gardens, East Melbourne and will begin at 2pm.
Family members and friends, CFA and VFBV executives as well as government representatives will come together to lay wreaths, light candles, remember lives and honour the personal sacrifices and commitment firefighters make each and every day.
Junior CFA members will also attend the memorial service and will be actively involved throughout the ceremony by assisting wreath layers and patrons.
The Annual Memorial service is a free event, to attend please RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone 0428 406 012 by Monday 22nd April.
Mental Health Matters Workshops
The Emergency Services Foundation (ESF) is again offering mental health matters workshops to emergency service volunteers across Victoria.
This year ESF will travel to regional areas to deliver the 2.5 hour workshop at a time that suits the brigade and volunteers. The Mental Health Matters workshop is a free, no pressure, conversational workshop with a focus on involving partners and family members in the workshop.
Topics covered in the workshop include: what is mental fitness; identifying the signs and symptoms; who is in your support crew and where to get help; stigma around mental health; and how to effectively ask R U OK?
For more information or to register your interest in holding a workshop, visit the ESF website.
VEC – Local Council Elections
The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) is seeking local people to help run the 2024 local council elections in specific regional areas.
Applications are open for join the VEC as a senior election official who take on specialised election management roles during election events.
For more information or to see a list of areas where the VEC is seeking senior election officials please visit the VFBV website.
Applications close on Sunday 7th April 2024.
Fire Wise – April 2024 online only edition
The April 2024 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 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.
Recent articles on the VFBV website
Open for consultation dashboard
Victorian Electoral Commission
2024 Bushfire and Storm Recovery Resources
Feedback Requested – Standard Operating Procedures (Various)
Feedback Requested – Standard Operating Procedures (Driving)
VFBV Board Vacancies - Invitation to Apply
2024 State Urban Senior Championship Results
2024 State Rural Junior Championship Results
2024 State Rural Senior Championship Results
2024 State Urban Junior Championship Results
International Women’s Day 2024
Presumptive Legislation Update
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.
The VEC is seeking local people to help run the 2024 local council elections. This is a message from the VEC.
The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) is seeking organised hands-on leaders in specific regional areas for key roles at the October 2024 local council elections.
Applications are now open to join our pool of senior election officials (SEOs), who take on specialised election management roles during election events. As an SEO you will play a major role in the delivery of elections across Victoria. Our pool of staff will be appointed as election managers and assistant election managers for each local council area at the October 2024 local council elections. Each local council area will have one election manager and up to 3 assistant election managers appointed. If appointed, you will work in election offices, overseeing many election activities which will vary depending on the type of election.
To help us with the challenge of recruiting for several vacancies in rural areas, we are reaching out to you as part of the VFBV network to help share this opportunity.
VFBV members have what it takes to be senior election officials: you are civic-minded, hands-on, calm under pressure and have valuable local knowledge!
Our SEOs come from all walks of life: Victorians who are retired or transitioning into retirement; professionals, freelancers or small business owners with the flexibility to take extended leave; parents returning to work and more.
Prior electoral work experience is not essential and full training is provided.
If you live in or near any of the following areas, they want to hear from you!
Western Victoria
Hindmarsh Shire Council, Horsham Rural City Council, Northern Grampians Shire Council, Pyrenees Shire Council, West Wimmera Shire Council and Yarriambiack Shire Council
North-western Victoria
Gannawarra Shire Council, Greater Bendigo City Council, Loddon Shire Council, and Swan Hill Rural City Council
North-eastern Victoria
Benalla Rural City Council, Indigo Shire Council, Mansfield Shire Council, Strathbogie Shire Council, Towong Shire Council, and Wodonga City Council
South-western Victorian
Colac Otway Shire Council, Corangamite Shire Council, and Southern Grampians Shire Council
Gippsland
Latrobe City Council.
Read more about SEOs by clicking here, or apply now by clicking here or visiting: https://careers.vic.gov.au/job/senior-election-officials-792285?returnurl=https%3A//careers.vic.gov.au/jobs/premier-and-cabinet/victorian-electoral-commission .
Applications close on Sunday 7 April 2024.
Please note that, in accordance with Section 17A of the Electoral Act 2002, the VEC may ask applicants for disclosure of specific political activities that could compromise the perceived independence of the organisation.
