VFBV

UPDATED 10 April 2015 - Answers to volunteers' questions

Download the FAQ sheet below

CFA has moved to drop the service award upgrade kits that have been in use since 2008 - volunteers reaching milestones such as 15, 20 and 25 years’ service will now receive a complete new service medal, ribbon bar and lapel badge to replace their old one.

The upgrade kits required the member to have a new bar sewn onto their existing medal ribbon, and were seen by many members as an inappropriate way to recognise such significant service to CFA and their communities. 

VFBV has been working with CFA for some time now, advocating our desire for the awarding of complete medals and not expecting members to sew on their own medal bars.  VFBV is grateful to CFA for approving this request, and agreeing to fund it, as we believe this change to be a significant improvement to the way long serving members are recognised.

This change will be automatic for all new medals awarded as of now.

For any questions or feedback, email: cfa‐This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 1800 232 636.

Frequently Asked Questions (Provided by CFA)

From the 1^st May 2015, members eligible for Service Awards (including Life Members) will now receive a full award set in place of the service award upgrade kits which were introduced to CFA in 2008.

1. Will members who have their medals court mounted need to have them re-mounted every five years to incorporate the newly award medal?

No, members will not have to have their medals re-mounted. Medal mounting companies may purchase clasps for the main size medal directly from CFA at $2.00 each +GST. This would mean that the member could keep the newly presented award set in full. The medals which are mounted can then be updated with the clasp of the appropriate years of service.

Rosettes for the ribbon bars are also available for purchase at $1.10 each +GST.

2. Will members be required to return their previous medal?

No, members who have previously received CFA Service Awards or Life Member award may keep them and do not have to return them to CFA. Upgrade kits that were previously awarded will not be recalled.

3. Will other members get my second hand award set?

No, second hand award sets will not be presented to members. Each member is eligible for a new award set at each anniversary date.

4. Do members have to remove their previously awarded service medal?

Yes, Brigades are required to ensure that members remove past service awards at the presentation of the new service award. In accordance with CFA tradition, the new award/medal replaces the previous service medal. It is not appropriate to wear multiple CFA service medals at the same time.  Further information on wearing honours, please refer to the ‘How to wear Honours and Awards’ booklet which is available through Brigades Online.

File path: Brigades Online > Brigade > Service History & Awards > About the Awards

5. Will members who have previously received the upgrade kit be retrospectively awarded a full award set?

No, Members will receive the full award set at their next anniversary date from 1^st May 2015 onwards. Members are to continue to utilise the upgrade kits until they will be awarded the full award set at their next anniversary date.

The Australian Fire Service Medal recognises distinguished service by members of Australian fire services. It is awarded to paid and volunteer members. The AFSM is awarded by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the responsible minister. For CFA and the other Victorian fire services, the responsible minister is the Minister for Police and Emergency Services.

The awards are announced on Australia Day (26 January) and the Queen’s Birthday (June) of each year.  Recipients of the Australian Fire Service Medal are entitled to use the letters “AFSM” after their names to show that their outstanding service has been formally recognised.

All volunteers, auxiliary members and full-time staff of CFA are eligible for the medal.

The sole criterion for the award of the Australian Fire Service Medal is distinguished service.

Visit http://cfaonline.cfa.vic.gov.au/mycfa/Show?pageId=aboutAwards for the CFA Honours & Awards Manual and the Nomination Form.

If you need assistance, contact the CFA Awards Secretariat at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on 1800 232 636.

Congratulations to CFA members Ivan Smith, Jamie McKenzie and Gary Harker on being awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) on Australia Day.

Ivan and Jamie are both volunteers, as are several of the members who have been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).

There’s a story on each recipient on the CFA website at http://news.cfa.vic.gov.au/news/top-honours-for-cfa-members.html

VFBV extends its congratulations to all CFA members who were honoured with the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) or the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).

David Gerrard AFSM - Beaufort CFA volunteer, Captain of 22 years, Deputy Group Officer and former District 16 VFBV President.

Peter Schmidt AFSM - CFA’s Southern Regional Director is also an ex Captain, former Deputy Group Officer and volunteer of 30 years. He currently volunteers with the Sorrento Fire Brigade.

Andrew O'Connell AFSM - an Operations Commander with the MFB, Andrew is also a long serving volunteer with Hurstbridge Fire Brigade.

Recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) are;

Leon Williams OAM (Mooroopna CFA)

Ian Bodinnar OAM (Nyah Nyah West CFA)

Norm Bodinnar OAM (Nyah Nyah West CFA)

John McEvoy OAM (Dederang CFA)

Alan George Eley OAM (Echuca CFA)

The much anticipated CFA Honours and Awards poster and manual became available early in 2013.

They were a working collaboration between CFA and VFBV, and have brought surety and transparency to the Honours and Awards system.

The manual offers details of the criteria for awarding a variety of Honours and Awards, with categories including  Bravery and Valour, Distinguished Service, Long Service and Notable Awards.

You can download the Manual and Wall Poster below.