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VFBV News (201)
New State Councillors in District 12
District 12 has elected two new State Councillors;
James Holyman of Highlands Caveat Fire Brigade is a former senior CFA staff member and a long serving volunteer. Brigades can contact him on 0408 544 392.
Peter Sharman is Captain of Tarnagulla Fire Brigade and a volunteer at Kinglake West. He has been volunteering for 28 years. Brigades can contact him on 0421 612 291.
Retiring State Councillors Greg Murphy and Gary Fitzgerald will continue to play significant roles on the District 12 team.
CFA Volunteers Launch Cancer Petition
MEDIA RELEASE - Sunday, 15 June 2014
The CFA volunteers’ association is calling on all Victorians to sign a petition to help firefighters to get fairer and simpler cancer compensation.
Speaking at a rally of hundreds of CFA volunteers at Scoresby on Sunday, Andrew Ford of Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria (pictured) said the volunteers are campaigning to get rid of an unfair barrier that prevents firefighters from getting the compensation they have been promised.
“We have been working with the Government and opposition parties for several years, but firefighters who suffer from cancer that’s related to their firefighting services are still facing an almost impossible barrier, right when they are sick and most in need of help,” Mr Ford said.
“The problem is in proving the cancer was work related, whether it be for a volunteer firefighter or one of their career colleagues,” he said.
“Unlike a broken bone, cancer can take many years to appear, leaving the firefighter with the nearly impossible task of proving that one particular incident caused the cancer.”
“It effectively says you are entitled to the compensation, but when you get sick, you can’t have it,” Mr Ford said.
The CFA volunteers are now collecting signatures for a statewide petition, calling on the Victorian Parliament to change the law so the onus of proof is reversed.
“Certain types of cancer are known to be more common in firefighters, and we need Victoria to follow the lead of the Australian, Tasmanian, West Australian and South Australian
Parliaments in recognising those 12 cancers and presuming them to be work related if the sick firefighter has sufficient years of service,” Mr Ford said.
“The firefighters’ cancer law would relieve the sick CFA volunteer of the almost impossible task of proving the cancer was work related, and would allow them to concentrate on their treatment and recovery, instead of a lengthy court case,” he said.
“As the CFA volunteers’ association, Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria is distributing the Firefighters’ Cancer Petition to every district in the state, and we call on every Victorian to sign the petition and show support for the volunteers who do so much to protect the community.”
The Firefighters’ Cancer Petition calls on the Victorian Parliament to introduce legislation based on the Australian Parliament’s legislation, listing 12 known firefighter cancers, with equal coverage for volunteer firefighters and their career colleagues.
You can download the petition and learn more about presumptive legislation, the firefighters’ cancer law, at the CFA volunteers’ website; www.vfbv.com.au
CFA Brigades protect 60% of suburban Melbourne, regional cities and all of country Victoria, every day and night of the year.
CLICK HERE to download a copy of the petition kit, including instructions for its use and a leaflet explaining the issue to the public.
CLICK HERE to read more about the Firefighters’ Cancer Law and how you can help
CFA Volunteers rally at Scoresby for the Firefighters’ Cancer Law
More than 450 CFA volunteers and their families have attended a rally organised by volunteers in District 13 to draw attention to the need for a firefighters’ cancer law.
The proposed law would provide access to fair compensation for firefighters suffering cancer caused by exposure to smoke and chemicals during their firefighting duties.
Organised by local volunteers from the eastern suburbs and Yarra Valley, the event attracted CFA volunteers, their friends and families and fire trucks from all over suburban Melbourne and country Victoria.
Event organiser, CFA volunteer and VFBV District 13 President Bill Watson AFSM (pictured, addressing the rally) said, “There is plenty of evidence that firefighters are more likely to suffer certain types of cancer. We are entitled to compensation, but that all falls apart when the sick firefighter is required to prove which fire or chemical incident caused the cancer.”
“It’s not like a broken bone where you know exactly when and where it happened. The burning car or house fire you attend today may cause a cancer that doesn’t show up for decades, which makes it nearly impossible to prove it was work-related,” Mr. Watson said.
“The solution is presumptive legislation, a law that lists the 12 typical firefighter cancers and presumes them to be work-related, providing the firefighter has enough years of service behind them and relevant risk exposure.”
The Australian Parliament passed firefighters’ cancer legislation called the Fair Protection for Firefighters Bill, in 2011. Since then Tasmania, Western Australia and South Australia have all passed their own presumptive legislation, recognising the connection between firefighting and cancer.
Mr. Watson says, Coalition, Labor and Greens Members of Parliament were invited to address the rally. “CFA volunteers are calling on all of the political parties and every member of the Victorian Parliament to help solve this problem.”
“We are looking for a law that applies equally to frontline CFA volunteers and the staff firefighters who work alongside them. The smoke and chemicals don’t discriminate, nor should compensation for sick firefighters,” he said.
“CFA volunteers in suburban Melbourne and country Victoria protect the community every
day and night of the year,” Mr Watson said.
“We are now asking all members of the Victorian Parliament to pass a firefighters’ cancer law that supports sick firefighters in their time of need.”
VFBV HAS LAUNCHED A STATEWIDE PETITION CALLING FOR A CHANGE IN THE LAW
CLICK HERE to download a copy of the petition kit, including instructions for its use and a leaflet explaining the issue to the public.
CLICK HERE to read more about the Firefighters’ Cancer Law and how you can help
First Batch of Petitions goes to Parliament
UPDATED 25 OCTOBER 2014
Labor MP Luke Donnellan's statement to the Victorian Parliament, after tabling part of the first batch of 16,000 signatures on the CFA Volunteers' Cancer Petition, which calls on the Government to fix problems with the existing firefighters’ cancer compensation process.
Mr DONNELLAN (Narre Warren North) -- I congratulate Country Fire Authority volunteers on the collection over a short period of time of well over 16 000 signatures to petitions about presumptive legislation in relation to firefighters, both volunteer and full time.
We on this side of the house recognise that there is a direct link between fighting fires and certain types of cancer. We also note that the commonwealth Parliament passed, in a bipartisan way, presumptive legislation which allows recognition of that link and changes the onus of proof from the firefighter. Therefore firefighters are able to make a claim against WorkCover based on the presumption that certain types of firefighting and chemicals can result in cancer.
Over a period of, I think, two months the volunteers collected well over 16 000 signatures to petitions. The government to date has been silent. At the moment there is an inquiry going on at Monash University. I know there are many members of the government who support the idea of presumptive legislation and who are pushing internally in relation to that, but we on this side of the house have fully supported it for the 60 000 volunteers and the full-time firefighters.
See the VFBV media release here
VFBV is hopeful the presentation of these petitions to the Victorian Parliament next week will help convince MPs of all parties to fix a problem that has now been fixed in most other States across Australia.
16,000 signatures are included in this first batch, making this one of the largest petitions to be presented to the current Parliament. In the meantime, the campaign continues and volunteers are urged to keep collecting signatures and posting completed petitions to VFBV, PO Box 453, Mt Waverley 3149.
The first batch of petitions was lodged with the assistance of Labor MP for Narre Warren North, Luke Donnellan (Pictured), and Liberal MP for Hastings, Neale Burgess.
Please post signed petitions to:
VFBV Cancer Petition, PO Box 453, Mt Waverley 3149.
CLICK HERE to download a copy of the petition kit, including instructions for its use and a leaflet explaining the issue to the public.
EOI - Urban Senior Championships 2016 - 2018
Expression of Interest to conduct a State Urban Senior Championship, 2016 to 2018
All Brigades/Committees interested in hosting an Urban Senior Championship during the years 2016 to 2018, are invited to lodge an Expression of Interest with the VFBV office.
VFBV strongly encourages all Brigades/Committees to consider their ability and willingness to host a State Championship to ensure the continuation of our competitions.
Expressions of Interest to be forwarded to VFBV by Friday 15th August 2014.
Enquiries may be made to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (03) 9886 1141.
Have your say on . . .
CFA Electrical Safety Advisory Group
VFBV has been invited to nominate 3 members to be part of a CFA Electrical Safety Advisory Group.
This small working group will provide advice on electrical matters that impact CFA, including but not limited to;
- Firefighting training materials
- Railway electricity procedures
- LV fuse removal
- De-energizing electrical systems (solar etc)
- Standards for 240v wiring, systems and appliances on operational vehicles
- Generators, Invertors & UPS’s
As this is a specialist group, it is desirable for our nominees to have the following attributes;
- Current operational member/activity (aware of fire ground practices)
- Extensive background in the electrical industry
- Access to email & internet (a lot of work of this group will be done via electronic means)
Please pass this information on to members you feel might like to be involved in this advisory group, and ask them to send VFBV an Expression of Interest, detailing their Name, Brigade, and any background information/work history that they feel would benefit them in this role. Send EOIs to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Monday 16 June please.
M.O.U. FOR A NATIONAL VOLUNTEER VOICE
Volunteers will have more of a chance to have their say at the national level, with the signing of an agreement between emergency volunteers’ associations and the body representing state and national fire organisations.
The Council of Volunteer Fire Associations (CAVFA), of which VFBV is a member, and the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC) signed the Memorandum of Understanding a few weeks ago, agreeing to work for mutual understanding, co-operation and collaboration.
CAVFA Deputy Chairman and VFBV President Hans van Hamond AFSM says the MOU will help ensure issues affecting volunteerism are given solid consideration by AFAC and should help to give emergency volunteers a stronger voice at the national level.
Under the agreement, AFAC will discuss and seek input from CAVFA on matters that have direct impact on volunteers. In return, CAVFA will encourage members to share in the discussions to address current and emerging challenges facing volunteers in the fire and emergency services today and into the future.
CAVFA members include the 11 volunteer fire associations of ACT, WA, NSW, the Northern Territory, Queensland, Tasmania and Victoria, representing a combined 250,000 members.
Fleet Funding - There's More Work To Do
Every brigade should be talking with the community and local MPs about funding to bring CFA’s ageing frontline fleet up to date.
We’ve taken a good step forward on fleet funding, but the job is not yet finished.
State Government’s announcement of $29 million for 78 new trucks - mostly the new Medium Tankers which were designed with VFBV and volunteer involvement - was great news but the funding boost only lasts for one year.
Hundreds of frontline CFA trucks are over the 20 year age limit that is common practice among Australia’s fire services, and there needs to be an ongoing replacement program and reliable ongoing funding to enable CFA, brigades and the truck manufacturing industry to plan ahead.
VFBV is keen to continue working with all political parties towards a long term fleet funding solution, and your Brigade’s representations at the local level will help keep the issue uppermost in MPs’ minds.
See VFBV’s News Note for MPs on Fleet Funding for all the facts and figures, available for download below.
MEDIA RELEASE - 1 MAY 2014
$29 MILLION FOR CFA FIRE TRUCKS IS GOOD NEWS - VOLUNTEERS
The CFA volunteers’ association says today’s announcement of $29 million and 78 new trucks for volunteer Brigades is good news for CFA volunteers.
<Click here to see video from the official announcement>
Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV) CEO Andrew Ford says the trucks are being directed to the right end of the fleet.
“Seventy-four of the new trucks will be modern medium tankers, which were designed with VFBV and volunteer involvement and will go to volunteer Brigades in country Victoria and the outer suburbs, where the need is greatest,” Mr Ford said.
“Volunteers have been working hard to inform State MPs on the need for CFA’s fleet of front line fire trucks to be brought up to date, and today’s announcement is a welcome sign that we are being heard,” he said.
“Seventy-eight new trucks and $29 million dollars is a good start, and VFBV is keen to continue working with Government towards a long term solution to the ageing of the fleet.”
CFA’s fleet of 2,200 front line fire trucks is well maintained, but currently includes more than 500 that are over the 20 year age limit that is common practice among Australia’s fire services.
“With a fleet that size, there needs to be an ongoing replacement program and reliable ongoing funding to enable CFA, Brigades and the truck manufacturing industry to plan ahead,” Mr Ford said.
“CFA volunteers will be pleased with today’s announcement, it is a sign that the Government is listening, and a good start towards an ongoing solution that better protects the Victorian community,” he said.
Victoria has 60,000 CFA volunteers in 1,200 Brigades, protecting 60% of suburban Melbourne, regional cities and all of country Victoria every day and night of the year.
See below to download VFBV’s Fleet Funding News Note for volunteers, issued 1 May 2014 and the earlier VFBV News Note for MPs - the briefing sent to all Victorian Members of Parliament.
CFA AND VFBV BOARD VACANCIES
UPDATED 13 MAY 2014
A CFA Act amendment Bill currently before Parliament will refine the appointment process for CFA Board Members to give CFA a skills-based Board rather than one based on representation of stakeholders.
<See below for official advertisements and role statements for nominees>
The changes to the CFA Act are designed to ensure the CFA Board has the skills and expertise required to operate as a high performing Board.
They recognise and reinforce the importance of the Board possessing strong knowledge, expertise and understanding of CFA volunteerism.
Significantly, the changes also recognise VFBV’s crucial role, by retaining our role of submitting a panel of names from which four of the nine CFA Board members will be selected by the Minister.
Retaining volunteer involvement at CFA Board level is important for all CFA volunteers and a terrific achievement for VFBV, signifying respect for the role that VFBV performs. VFBV and the Government are the only bodies named in the proposed amendments to the CFA Act as nominating CFA Board members.
The proposed change to the CFA Act reaffirms the role of volunteers at every level of CFA’s decision making, and is in line with VFBV’s thinking that an extensive knowledge and experience of volunteering and working with volunteers is one of the essential skills for any potential CFA Board Member. A CFA Board with strong volunteer knowledge and experience is essential.
The change in the CFA Act would look for a number of skills and abilities in CFA Board members, including; “knowledge of, or experience in, commercial, technical, operational, legal or financial matters;” and “expertise in fire services, emergency management, land management or any other field relevant to the performance of the functions of the Authority.”
In introducing the Bill, Police and Emergency Services Minister Kim Wells has told Parliament;
“The bill will transform the existing CFA board appointment process by requiring that board members have one or more of a series of critical skills, knowledge or experience, while continuing to recognise that the CFA is essentially a volunteer based emergency service.
“It is important that the CFA board has strong volunteer expertise, knowledge and an understanding of CFA volunteerism.
"To guarantee such familiarity, knowledge and understanding of CFA volunteerism four members of the CFA board will be nominees of Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria.”
The Bill provides for four CFA Board members, being “two volunteer members of brigades predominately serving urban communities;” and “two volunteer members of brigades predominately serving rural communities”, “to be appointed from a panel of names nominated by the Board of Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria”.
If you or someone you know has the skills, experience and knowledge to make a difference on the CFA Board, now or in the future, please contact VFBV on (03)9886 1141 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
CFA AND VFBV BOARD VACANCIES
VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADES VICTORIA
ADVISES OF CFA BOARD VACANCIES
CFA legislation provides for four of the CFA Board’s Members to be appointed from a panel of names submitted by Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria.
A CFA Act amendment Bill currently before Parliament will refine the appointment process for CFA Board Members to ensure the CFA Board has the skills and expertise required to operate as a high performing Board.
The changes recognise and reinforce the importance of the Board possessing strong knowledge, expertise and understanding of CFA volunteerism, and also seek to ensure the CFA Board has skills knowledge and expertise in commercial, financial, legal, public administration and emergency services, with the requirement that nominees have one or more of the skill requirements outlined in the legislation.
The terms of CFA Board Members Paul Denham and Don Robertson expire in August 2014, creating two vacancies on the CFA Board to be nominated by VFBV, one being a representative from a brigade predominantly serving urban communities and one being a representative from a brigade predominantly serving rural communities as per the CFA Act.
CFA volunteers who believe they have the skills, experience and capacity to make a contribution to the CFA Board, and ensure that the CFA Board has strong volunteer expertise, knowledge and an understanding of CFA volunteerism, are invited to apply to fill these vacancies.
From applications received and following interviews, VFBV will submit a panel of names to the Minister for Police & Emergency Services.
The CFA Board meets on a monthly basis and also operates a committee system which could require a commitment of one half day per month. Attendance at official functions is also expected.
The appointment to the CFA Board would be for a period of up to three years; the retiring members are eligible for re-appointment.
Remuneration for a member of the CFA Board is $17,314 p.a.
A Role Statement is available on the VFBV website or available from the VFBV office. For other relevant information, interested volunteers should contact VFBV – contact details below.
Applications including a current resume must be lodged with VFBV by COB on Monday, 16th June 2014, to:
VFBV, P O Box 453, Mt Waverley Vic 3149
Tel: 9886 1141; Email: j.laingThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Board Members of Volunteer
Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV)
Invitation to apply
Four VFBV Board vacancies – for a 2 year term until 1st October 2016
Closing date for written applications is Monday 11th August 2014
VFBV advances the interests of all Victorian fire brigade volunteers and advocates on their behalf to CFA and other key stakeholders. The VFBV Board drives policy development based on volunteer input and is involved in management of issues of central importance to all CFA volunteers.
Vacancies for Four Board Members will arise when the terms of Andy Cusack, Nev Jones, Bill Maltby and Bruce Pickett expire on 1st October 2014.
The term of appointment will be for two years and applications are invited from interested volunteers to be considered for these vacancies. The retiring members are eligible for re-appointment.
The role of a VFBV Board Member involves contributing to VFBV direction, performance and policy discussion at Board Meetings, networking with others about policies and issues management, and not only making decisions but being prepared to actively advocate for the benefit of all CFA volunteers and ultimately the Victorian community.
A Board Member Role Statement including the key selection criteria is available from the VFBV office or website www.vfbv.com.au
This is an honorary position; no honorarium is paid.
If you are motivated by the prospect of making a difference for CFA volunteers, then send your written application addressing the key selection criteria in the role statement, plus an outline of your CFA activity including the names of two referees.
Applications must be lodged with VFBV by Monday 11th August 2014.
to: VFBV, P O Box 453, Mt Waverley 3149
Tel: 9886 1141; Fax: 9886 1618
Email: j.laingThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
DONATE NOW to support the firefighters’ cancer law campaign
<Update 16 May 2014> The first donations have been received.
Click here for the full story on Presumptive Legislation - the Firefighters' Cancer Law
Click here for our Notes for Volunteers on how donating the Trust Fund can help
VFBV invites you to help us to step up the campaign for presumptive legislation, the firefighters’ cancer law, by making a donation today.
See below to donate online now, or for details of how to make a bank transfer or donation by cheque.
The Volunteer Fire Fighters Occupational Illnesses (VFFOI) Awareness and Protection Fund is a specific purpose trust account to help meet the costs of the campaign for presumptive legislation for firefighters and building awareness of firefighter-related illnesses, the development of protections where possible and financial compensation protection for firefighters and their families, including;
- Enabling research and analysis about VFFOI
- Working with volunteer firefighters and members of the public to understand the effect of VFFOI on their families and communities
- Working with volunteer firefighters and members of the community to recognise VFFOI and to take necessary preventative measures to protect the health and well-being of volunteer fire fighters
- Protecting the rights and integrity of volunteer fire fighters who suffer from VFFOI by taking such steps as are necessary to recognise and entrench their legal rights to compensation where they suffer from VFFOI and, where necessary and in the sole and absolute discretion of the Trustees, fund test cases before the appropriate courts and tribunals to determine such rights.
The Volunteer Fire Fighters Occupational Illnesses (VFFOI) Awareness and Protection Fund is clearly aimed at supporting our pursuit of presumptive legislation and fair protection for firefighters.
Funds raised will assist our campaign efforts and possible test case pursuit, but will not extend to covering personal illness related compensation as we clearly see this as an obligation for the CFA volunteer compensation arrangements.
You can click here to make a donation;
Send a cheque to;
The Volunteer Fire Fighters Occupational Illnesses (VFFOI) Awareness and Protection Fund
PO Box 453
Mt Waverley 3149
Or transfer funds to Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria's Bendigo Bank account; BSB 633-000 Account Number 151841970
Brigades, Groups and District Councils, as well as the public, are invited to donate to the fund
Raise the issue of presumptive legislation/the firefighters’ cancer law at any opportunity with Members of Parliament, local media and online
Want to know more about the issue? You can download VFBV’s Notes for MPs and Notes for Volunteers by clicking here
Any questions? Call VFBV on (03) 9886 1141 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
More...
VFBV seeks donations for cancer law campaign
VFBV is preparing to step up the campaign for presumptive legislation, the firefighters’ cancer law, by inviting donations to support the campaign.
The VFBV Presumptive Legislation Campaign Trust Account is a specific purpose trust account to meet the costs of VFBV’s campaign for presumptive legislation for firefighters, including;
• Provision of information to members and the public
• Research and analysis
• Legal support, and
• Legal representation costs relevant to the pursuit of presumptive legislation, including but not limited to test cases as deemed necessary.
We will be advertising broadly to encourage the support of the public and volunteers for this fund raising effort, and a donation facility will be added to this website in a few days. In the meantime, anyone wishing to make a donation or ask a question should call VFBV on (03) 9886 1141 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The VFBV Presumptive Legislation Campaign Trust Fund is clearly aimed at supporting our pursuit of presumptive legislation and fair protection for firefighters.
Funds raised will assist our campaign efforts and possible test case pursuit, but will not extend to covering personal illness related compensation as we clearly see this as an obligation for the CFA volunteer compensation arrangements.
What volunteers can do;
- Brigades, Groups and District Councils, as well as the public, are invited to donate to the fund - call (03) 9886 1141 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to make a pledge, an online facility will be available soon
- Raise the issue of presumptive legislation/the firefighters’ cancer law at any opportunity with Members of Parliament, local media and online
You can download VFBV’s Notes for MPs and Notes for Volunteers by clicking here
Have your say on . . .
- VFBV's third Volunteer Survey - register now
The third VFBV Volunteer Welfare & Efficiency Survey will be online in the middle of 2014. To pre-register to receive the survey via email, click here.
The survey is a total of 33 questions chosen by volunteers and takes about 15 minutes to complete. Your answers are confidential.
Last year’s survey was a great success with more than 1,400 participants. VFBV examined the results in detail to guide its own actions and briefed the CFA Board. See the full report here.
The third survey will show trends in volunteer opinions on issues chosen by your fellow volunteers and if you register today you’ll receive the survey automatically as soon as it opens.
- CFA Training Strategy Survey - deadline extended to 15 April
You can download CFA’s Training Strategy Implementation Survey on Brigades Online or click here to take part. The survey closes on 15 April.
Issues coming up at State Council
The VFBV State Council and Executive will meet at Fiskville on Saturday/Sunday, 12 and 13 April.
Issues to be discussed include;
- A District 16 motion that VFBV approach CFA to have the maintenance level of Field Command Vehicles changed from current level 3 to level 1
- A District 16 motion that VFBV approach CFA and relevant government agencies to develop a Grain Harvesting Code of Practice similar to that used in SA
- An issue raised by Beaufort Group calling for improved procedures for the recognition of interstate volunteers’ training records
- District 20’s concerns about the performance of the new pagers and the way they were distributed to Brigades
- Concerns from Brigades in District 20 about the need to continue the SMS alerting service alongside the pager system
- Concerns from District 22 about pagers and radios
Issues coming up at State Council
The VFBV State Council and Executive will meet at Fiskville on Saturday/Sunday, 12 and 13 April.
Issues to be discussed include;
- A District 16 motion that VFBV approach CFA to have the maintenance level of Field Command Vehicles changed from current level 3 to level 1
- A District 16 motion that VFBV approach CFA and relevant government agencies to develop a Grain Harvesting Code of Practice similar to that used in SA
- An issue raised by Beaufort Group calling for improved procedures for the recognition of interstate volunteers’ training records
- District 20’s concerns about the performance of the new pagers and the way they were distributed to Brigades
- Concerns from Brigades in District 20 about the need to continue the SMS alerting service alongside the pager system
- Concerns from District 22 about pagers and radios
