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2025/26 Bushfires – Thank-you!
On behalf of the whole VFBV family, I wish to acknowledge the incredible work being done by brigade, groups and all CFA members supporting communities through the current bushfires and say thank-you. With thousands of volunteers still on the front lines and in support roles, and more than 10,000 activated last week alone, we wish to acknowledge the incredible efforts being undertaken to protect and support your communities.
And while morale is being tested, and tensions are high – it is a good time to reflect on the narrative of CFA for its 80th anniversary which described a story of profound commitment, of bravery, altruism and loss. Volunteer brigades history is a story of adaptation fuelled by an inextinguishable community spirit, which has carried us though some of the toughest moments Victorians have ever had to face.
In a similar vein, the spirit of CFA that was epitomised following the 2009 Black Saturday Fires as a message from our communities was immortalised by these words which echo today:
Hailing from all walks of life, you are the fathers and mothers, our brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, our grandparents, neighbours and our friends. You help protect us, without wanting of recognition or reward. In our time of need you are there. Your courage and compassion are inspiring, your loyalty unquestionable. You comfort us with a tender hand; you stand at the face of nature’s beast and fight for our lives and our land. You are the essence of the true meaning of community. You epitomise the Australian spirit, the spirit of CFA.
Be proud of your efforts, and know that what you do is meaningful and valued. Our community will need us for what will be a very long road to recovery, and the only way we can do our best for them is to be the best versions of ourselves. We are proud of you and all your efforts under very trying circumstances. We grieve each loss and continue to give it our all regardless of the adversity we face. We will support you each step of the way. Look after yourselves and most importantly, look after each other.
Adam Barnett, CEO – Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria
Donations to support CFA volunteers in a time of need
VFBV delegates and officials are working with affected brigades to access support available through the VFBV Volunteer Support and Recovery Trust and the VFBV Welfare Fund. With a large number of members directly impacted, high demand is expected.
Our Trusts support members who have been impacted by large bushfires and helps those that have lost their homes, fencing, machinery, stock, equipment and/or livelihoods. We have two different donations mechanisms for people to choose from when donating. At this time, our preference is that donations are made to the VFBV Volunteer Support and Recovery Trust but we welcome donations to either.
The VFBV Volunteer Support and Recovery Trust is only activated during large emergencies. It has previously been activated during the 2009 Black Saturday Fires, 2019/20 Bushfires, the 2023 Floods and now for the 2025/25 bushfires. The Trust only maintains very small reserves of funds, and is completely reliant on public donations. Current reserves were made possible by a corporate donation from the Barlow Impact Group who generously provided support during the 2019/20 Black Summer Fires.
With reserves low, support is dependent on donations being received. Currently, the Trust is supporting CFA volunteers who have lost their primary place of residence. After this work is complete, the Trust will consider broader support for members who have suffered property damage, outbuilding and other losses across the impacted areas.
During the 2019/20 bushfires, the trust provided high impact support grants, general support and relief grants and fast emergency relief payments. It also funded trailer mounted pumps for each of the Groups across the fire affected areas to provide legacy support for those brigades impacted.
All donations over $2 are tax deductible. You can donate to this Trust via: https://www.givenow.com.au/volunteersupport
The VFBV Welfare Fund is a capital fund that is designed to last forever. It provides grants (up to $5,000) for those volunteers experiencing hardship. It is only available to members, and brigades pay an annual subscription fee to cover all their members, their families, and long-serving ex-members. This year, 93% of CFA Brigades have chosen to cover their members. The Fund has paid out more than $2.85 million in grants since its inception.
As a capital fund, all donations are invested in interest bearing government approved institutions (term deposits) and the interest each year is used to fund any Welfare Grants. The capital is preserved, and keeps pace with inflation by each year calculating the gap between grants paid and the revenue required, with an annual subscription fee paid by brigades. This year, that fee was $80 per brigade which presents incredible value to cover every single member and long serving ex-members and their families. This model will ensure the capital is preserved forever, and CFA volunteers now and in the future will always be protected.
The Welfare Fund is currently working in co-operation with the Volunteer Support and Recovery Trust to assist those members who have lost their homes.
All donations over $2 are tax deductible. You can donate to the Welfare Fund via: https://www.givenow.com.au/vfbv
For any large donations, we highly recommend members use direct deposit to the relevant bank account, to avoid transaction fees being deducted from your donation. Bank account details for each Trust can be found on our VFBV website.
Brigades and Groups are permitted to make donations under CFA’s Brigade Finance Policy, under clause (23) which specifically states: “(23) Brigades may donate funds to the VFBV Welfare Fund, or VFBV Volunteer Support and Recovery Trust on approval via resolution at a Brigade meeting.”
If you have any questions, please speak to your local State Councillor or VFBV Support Officer, or phone the VFBV office on (03) 9886 1141.
Make it count
By Adam Barnett, VFBV Chief Executive Officer
Published 2 January 2026 in Fire Wise.
Five years ago, I welcomed in the New Year and said good riddance to the one just gone.
One can’t help but be reflective this time of year, but if I’m being honest, I’ll admit it’s getting harder and harder to remain optimistic that government will finally see the error of its ways and adjust its current policy settings to better support and enable CFA to be all it could be. Given we are one of the most fire prone places in the world, I dare say the Victorian community would very much appreciate it as well.
There is only so long our warnings can go unheeded until a day of reckoning. An under resourced, under supported CFA is akin to cancelling your home insurance policy straight after you get robbed.
As I remarked on Premier Allen’s ascendancy to the Premiership, the change of leadership would either be an opportunity to be part of the solution or part of the problem. Sadly, on all reasonable measures it would appear to be the latter.
And thankfully - while the days of all out contempt for volunteers and CFA through their reform agenda is largely behind us, there is yet to be substantive movement on the key policy areas setting CFA up for failure. We’ve told them, CFA has told them and their own independent fire services implementation monitor has told them in no uncertain terms. What more can we do?
Maybe you’ve heard that parable about a man clinging to his chimney on the roof of his house as flood waters surround him. He prays to God for help. A man in a rowboat comes by and tells him to jump in. The stranded man yells “its ok, I’m praying – God will save me.” A short time later as the waters continue to rise, a motorboat comes by and tells him to hop aboard. The stranded man repeats the same refrain that he’s praying and God will save him. Finally, a helicopter comes by and drops a rope to rescue him, and he again waves them away, saying he has faith, he’s praying and God will save him.
A short time later, the flood waters completely overcome him and the stranded man dies. In Heaven, he asks God - given his faith and his prayers - why did God abandon him in his time of need and not save him? God replied – “What are you talking about. I sent a rowboat, a motorboat and then a helicopter. What more did you expect?”
So, have I given up optimism as this year’s New Year’s resolution? No - far from it. I’m actually more determined than ever.
As Martin Luther King Jr said “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” On the other side of the pond, eighteenth century English poet Alexander Pope wrote “Hope springs eternal in the human breast” referring to our insatiable appetite to think something better is always coming.
At the end of the day, a volunteer organisation relies on optimism to survive. Our forebears served as wonderful role models in constantly pursuing improvements and to always keep trying, no matter the difficulty. They too at times had to wait for natural disasters to finally spur governments into action. Human inability to learn from history is sadly a common infliction.
If anything - patience and persistence are one of our defining strengths as a volunteer association. Long after topics and issues come and go, our pursuit for strategic meaningful long-term improvement that places community safety above all - never wanes.
Speaking of learning from history - in the July 2004 edition of ‘The Fireman’, Fireman Sam asked the question “Is red tape killing vols?”
He opined: “..where would we be if it were not for the volunteer effort that has helped to make Australian life what it is today.”
“We are fortunate that many in the community are still that way inclined. But I fear the number is dwindling. It is certainly more difficult to attract volunteers. Sadly, it is also more difficult to be one.”
“What was a trickle of change has developed into a flood.”
“Over the past four or five years there has hardly been a month go by when there wasn’t some new piece of legislation, local government by law, Code of practice, government department procedural process, statutory authority requirement, or competency requirement that somehow impacted on the numerous volunteer organisations that help keep a community running on a day to day basis.”
He summarised that far from seeking payment or reward, volunteers seek the satisfaction of seeing good results for their efforts and the feeling that it has all been worthwhile. He also said the other form of ‘reward’ that volunteers would really appreciate is that their efforts are facilitated and supported by government and administrators.
How is it then, that 20 years later government and bureaucrats are still not able to grasp the simple concept of valuing and respecting our volunteers?
The most recent example are last months media releases heralding the announcements of this year’s VESEP grants. Don’t get me wrong – VESEP is a wonderful program that was developed in partnership between government, CFA and VFBV before being extended across the sector. The government should be congratulated for continuing with it, and boosting it significantly. Given its roots, and the collaboration of the three signatories to the volunteer charter - it should not be surprising that it is immensely popular and has grown year after year.
Unfortunately, far from any acknowledgement of this partnership, we were served a release bereft of any such modesty or humility and instead given vulgar self-congratulation and spin.
Worse – the government media releases took credit for more than $30 million in grants, and the “biggest ever grants for emergency services volunteers”.
Hiding in plain sight of course, was every dollar that CFA, SES, LSV and Coast Guard volunteers donated as a VESEP contribution. The omission is both stark and insulting.
Not a single reference to the fact that this year for example, CFA volunteers contributed a new record of almost $4 million in brigade funds earned from fundraising and hard work.
Is the government so indifferent that the men and women making immense sacrifice to serve their communities in their time of need just might be looking for some form of acknowledgment or basic understanding of what they do and what motivates a volunteer based organisation?
Can you remember a time that police chipped in for their police vehicles? Or paramedics for their ambulances? Can you imagine a group photo of departmental public servants posing for a photo with the Minister to hand over the keys and celebrate the governments replacement of their government fleet vehicle every 3 years?
And we can’t even manage a simple thank-you or acknowledgement that volunteers - rather than simply accept a handout, worked hand in hand with government to fund and replace millions of dollars’ worth of trucks and equipment?
Let’s not forget that for many brigades, these contributions represented decades of painstaking fundraising and sausage sizzles to build up the funds to eventually apply for a grant in the first place.
Or is it the embarrassment of the inconvenient truth that volunteer fire brigades must actually scrimp and save to buy their own essential pieces of trucks and equipment their communities rely on simply because the State does not properly fund them to begin with?
So, allow me to say a heartfelt thank-you. I can’t profess to speak on behalf of all Victorians, but I’m yet to meet one that doesn’t respect and appreciate the incredible contribution that emergency service volunteers make to the State.
To put the volunteer contribution into perspective, CFA volunteers have contributed more than $41 million in funds to the program over the past 20 years alone. An incredible achievement and legacy worthy of acknowledgement.
Add this to the conservative indicative value of the $2.5 billion dollars that Victoria’s emergency management volunteers contribute to Victoria each and every year through their volunteering, and you really are left with an obvious answer to Fireman Sam’s question of where would we be without it? Think creek and paddle.
Which brings us to the metaphorical creek without the paddle.
VFBV continues to draw attention to the complete inequity of CFA’s budget, and the governments prolonged attack on CFA’s resourcing and support. Despite government media releases spruiking “record funding” – our reality is far from the nirvana they falsely proclaim.
In January last year, I walked members through our analysis tracking the governments lack of investment in CFA over the past five years. We found that despite increased costs and high inflation, government have inexplicitly invested less and less in CFA’s base funding year after year since reform in 2020.
We must continue to maintain the pressure on highlighting the smoke and mirrors being played with CFA’s budget, and the inescapable aging CFA fleet that sees volunteer firefighters stuck on the back of almost 700 old single cab tankers breathing in the smoke and fumes on 40 degree days and sweltering in the sun.
Don’t forget that of the $500M extra in tax revenue the government is due to collect this year from their new Emergency Services Tax hikes, only $10M of that extra has been allocated to the CFA truck replacement base budget. That is less than one-tenth of the funds required to maintain CFA’s fleet of 2,389 trucks.
We must continue to educate decision makers and the general public about the escalating risks of relying on such an ageing fleet and the inherent safety risks this represents. The grounding of the entire FFMVic G-Wagon fleet late last year should be a stark warning to those that dismiss the ageing CFA fleet and convince themselves that a well-maintained fleet of trucks can last forever.
A single volunteer injury (or worse), is far too high a price to pay for government inaction.
For all members that were called to duty over the Christmas and New Years break, a huge thank-you. For those that covered your absences at home and work – thank-you also.
And while we face numerous challenges, we should never lose sight of the incredible difference you each make every day in your communities. If last year culminated in celebrating the first 80 years of the formation of CFA, January 2026 represents the first steps of our next 80 years. We owe it to not only our forebears but ourselves to make each of them count.
Stay safe.
2025/26 VFBV Vol Survey
This year’s VFBV Vol Survey is now open.
The survey is the largest of its kind and provides an annual snapshot of volunteer opinion, using questions on issues chosen by volunteers.
All responses are confidential, with only de-identified results going straight to decision makers. The results are studied by the CFA Executive, the Department of Justice and Community Safety, the Fire Services Implementation Monitor, and the Victorian Government. Issues highlighted by volunteer feedback and responses drive further initiatives and investment to try and improve the things that volunteers raise as priority issues.
Now in its 14th year, the survey is the oldest, most credible and robust analysis of emergency service volunteer opinion in Victoria.
The survey measures volunteer opinions on what is important to them, and how well CFA is performing according to what they are experiencing. By repeating the survey each year, important trend analysis allows decision makers to evaluate efforts to address key issues, and whether or not the selected improvements are being effective. VFBV uses the results to drive important volunteer advocacy, and push for improvements on the issues that volunteers tell us they value the most.
Scan the QR code below or visit the VFBV website to do the survey today. Paper copies are also available by calling the VFBV Office on (03) 9886 1141.
The survey allows you to rate what’s going well, what needs improvement and an opportunity to suggest key issues requiring further attention. Help us help you and have your say today.
State Championships
A reminder that team entries and judge and official nominations for the 2026 State Championships are now open and will close on Sunday 15 February 2026.
VFBV has again waived the entry fees for the 2026 State Championships in an effort to encourage more brigades to enter a team in any of the four state championships. To enter your brigade or team or to nominate as a judge and official for the 2026 State Championships visit www.tinyurl.com/2026-entry
The 2026 State Championships begin with the Urban Junior Championship held on the weekend of 21 and 22 March 2026, with the Rural Junior and Senior Championships and the Urban Senior Championship taking place on the weekend of 28 and 29 March 2026.
The popular torchlight procession will also take place on Saturday 28 March through the centre of Stawell. Participation in the Torchlight Procession is open to all brigades taking part in the Championships as well as brigades who are not competing at the State Championships. If your brigade is interested in taking part in the Torchlight Procession contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to register your interest.
For information about the 2026 State Championships including updated rule books for both the rural and urban championships, details of location competitions being held around the state and links to enter your team or nominate as a judge or official visit the VFBV website or contact the VFBV office via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (03) 9886 1141.
2025/26 Affiliations
Thank you to all brigades and groups who have re-affiliated and helped VFBV stand up for volunteers.
Affiliation sends a strong message that volunteers are united and will work together to achieve positive outcomes that benefit not only brigades, but the broader community of which we all protect. It also provides access to the VFBV Welfare Fund, which since its inception has distributed more than $2.85 million in grants to volunteers who have fallen on hard times.
Brigades are reminded that 31st December was the deadline for paying this year’s Welfare Fund subscription. Subscription to the Welfare Fund ensures that all members of the brigades are able to access a grant if they find themselves in financial hardship if due to loss of work, family illness or accidental injury. Waiting periods apply for subscription payments received after the 31st December 2025.
If you are unsure if your brigade’s payments are up to date, please reach out to your local VFBV State Councillors or contact your VFBV Support Officer.
Bushfire Recovery Resources
VFBV has collated relevant recovery information and emergency grant information to assist members who may be personally impacted by the emergency.
There are numerous supports available to members, residents, farmers, businesses, individuals and communities but navigating these can be a time consuming and sometimes frustrating exercise with information hard to find and spread across multiple resources.
Please visit the VFBV website to download the latest fact sheet on the current resources and assistance available to impacted members in relation to the 2025/26 bushfires.
As with previous Fact Sheets of this nature, the information is rapidly changing, and we will update the fact sheet as fresh information becomes available.
Rebate Scheme
A reminder that the eligible volunteers rebate scheme is now open for eligible volunteers and life members to apply for a rebate on an eligible property under the Emergency Services Tax.
CFA volunteers intending on claiming the volunteer rebate will be required to first log-in to their CFA online account, to complete the CFA eligibility test.
To check the rules and eligibility requirements, you can visit: https://www.vic.gov.au/evrs
If you are eligible and own an eligible property, head to Members Online to start the process.
Contemporary Volunteer Membership Model Options Paper
All members are invited to have your say on a major piece of work, years in the making, that CFA claims will shape the foundations for flexible, clear and modern volunteer membership at CFA now and into the future.
The Options Paper seeks feedback on 13 recommended options that are designed to support real life circumstances and improve the way people join, stay, move between brigades, contribute in different ways, and transition roles over time. All while supporting brigades to broaden and maintain their membership and strengthen capability without the unnecessary burdens.
The options in the paper come directly from what volunteers and brigades have told CFA over the past several years about some of the unintentional barriers in the current model, that limit opportunities for volunteering.
For more information on how to provide feedback to both CFA and VFBV on the options presented as well a link to download the Options Paper visit the VFBV website.
SOP Feedback
CFA has requested VFBV review and provide feedback on 11 updated or new SOP’s. Please visit the VFBV website for links to download each of the SOP’s as well as VFBV’s comparison tables for the 9 updated SOP’s.
Given the importance of SOP’s in CFA’s operational doctrine, all members are encouraged to review and revised SOP’s and provide any feedback, suggestions or amendments including indicating support or non-support for the proposed SOP’s to VFBV ASAP.
Please visit the VFBV website to access the draft SOP’s and change logs to help guide your feedback as well information on how to provide feedback.
Fire Wise – January 2026 online only edition
The January 2026 edition of Fire Wise has been published online only, this edition and past editions are available from the Fire Wise website for a small subscription fee.
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
Donate Now – Supporting CFA Volunteers in a time of need
Now Open – 2025/26 VFBV Volunteer Survey
Contemporary Volunteer Membership Model Options Paper
2025-26 VESEP Grants Announced
Emergency Services Tax Forecast Funding
Emergency Responder PTSD trial
SOP Feedback – Various Interim SOP’s (October 2025)
2026 State Championships Entries Now Open
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.
Updated 16 January 2026 with additional resources and assistance available (Originally issued 14 January 2026)
During major disasters, VFBV collates relevant recovery information and emergency grant information to assist members who may be personally impacted by the emergency. As fires and blacking out operations continue across Victoria, VFBV recognises these bushfires are having a significant impact on many CFA Volunteers, their families and communities.
There are numerous supports available to members, residents, farmers, businesses, individuals and communities, but navigating these can be a time consuming and sometimes frustrating exercise with information hard to find and spread across multiple sources.
Available from the attachment link at the bottom of this page is a Fact Sheet on current resources and assistance available to impacted members in relation to the 2025/26 bushfires.
While most of this information is available from various sources online, the people impacted the worst are often in areas with no power, internet or mobile phone reception due to the emergency. The Fact Sheet can be printed and handed to someone who may be in need of assistance. Printed copies may also be requested from the VFBV office via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (03) 9886 1141
In our experience, people experiencing hardship are often overwhelmed and do not have time to search, find and navigate the various assistance that is available. Our Fact Sheets try to put all relevant resources into a single document that can either be viewed electronically – or - be printed out and handed to someone who can then assess what they need most.
As with previous Fact Sheets of this nature, the information is rapidly changing, and we will update and collate as fresh information becomes available. We have linked to resources where possible, so updated information can be referred to later if changed.
We will continue to monitor and update as appropriate, and if you are aware of additional information or assistance if you could please make your local VFBV Support Officer aware so we can update as appropriate.
On behalf of everyone at VFBV, we wish all members, delegates, friends and supporters a very happy and safe Christmas and New Year.
We wish to especially acknowledge those of you and our members who will be called away over the Christmas and New year period serving their communities.
CFA volunteers work tirelessly to support and protect their communities 24/7. They will be giving up precious time with their families and loved ones to ensure their communities remain protected this holiday season. We take this opportunity to thank each and every one of our CFA Volunteers for the tremendous work they do in protecting our communities.
To all our volunteer firefighter's on the front line, and to the thousands of others who support in our communities or behind the scenes, well done and thank-you for your incredible contribution year after year.
To the families, employers and supporters of CFA volunteers we say thank you. Your support is crucial to the work our members do in protecting Victorian communities from fire and building safe and resilient communities, 365 days of the year.
May everyone have a Safe and Happy Christmas.
Stay safe over the holiday season, and please look out for one another.
Contemporary Volunteer Membership Model Options Paper
Written by VFBV
Members are invited to have your say on a major piece of work, years in the making, that CFA claims will shape the foundations for flexible, clear and modern volunteer membership at CFA now and into the future.
The Contemporary Volunteer Membership Model Options Paper seeks your feedback on 13 recommended options that are designed to support real life circumstances and improve the way people join, stay, move between brigades, contribute in different ways, and transition across roles over time. All while supporting brigades to broaden and maintain their membership and strengthen capability without the unnecessary burdens.
These options come directly from what volunteers and brigades have told CFA over the past several years about some of the unintentional barriers in the current model, that limit opportunities for volunteering.
In the paper, you’ll find options about
- New membership sub-categories
- Dual and multi-brigade memberships
- Seasonal/Reserve member status
- Cadet memberships
- Life memberships and considerations to a CFA alumni
- Spontaneous volunteering
- Many others that enhance or unlock new opportunities
Feedback is requested on:
- Which options should be supported, changed, or not progressed
- What risks or implementation issues we need to consider
- What would help brigades adopt any approved changes successfully
Your contribution will play a critical role in determining which recommendations proceed, how they evolve, and how they are implemented. This is the beginning of the journey and these are recommended options for consideration. Only those with wide-ranging support will be implemented.
Consultation Timing
CFA has recognised the challenge of timing, as many of you are already well into responding to or preparing for the summer.
That’s why consultation will run between now – when you can discuss with your fellow members when working side by side through the season – and into autumn when we’ll dive into deeper discussions about how we might implement some of these options.
Feedback is requested as soon as you can, and no later than 31 March 2026.
Further Information
A CFA survey is available from: https://yoursay.cfa.vic.gov.au/projects/contemporary-volunteer-membership-model
IMPORTANT: The CFA surveys should take approximately 30 minutes (or longer depending on the length of your responses and how many recommendations you choose to respond to.) We recommend that you allow sufficient time to complete the survey in a single sitting.
Included on that page is also an FAQ
A copy of the Options paper is also available for download at the above link.
VFBV Feedback
In addition to feedback to CFA, we encourage members to provide feedback to VFBV to help inform VFBV's formal response to the options.
Feedback can be provided via:
- Emailing to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Your local VFBV District Council or your local VFBV Support Officer
- By Post: 9/24 Lakeside Drive, Burwood East VIC 3151
CFA has requested VFBV review and provide feedback on 11 updated SOP's. A brief description of each is included below, and all may be downloaded from the bottom of this page. Also included is a VFBV comparison between the old and new SOP with significant changes highlighted. (A comparison is not included for the 2 new SOP's)
Members are encouraged to review the revised SOP's and provide any feedback, suggestions, or amendments including indicating support or non-support for the proposed policies.
Feedback can be provided by individuals, brigades or groups. You do not need to be a VFBV delegate in order to provide feedback.
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 to provide feedback as early as possible which will give us a chance to conduct further research that may assist us being able to advocate more strongly for your desired outcome.
All members are welcome and encouraged to provide feedback. If you have any questions, please contact your local State Councillor or VFBV Support Officer in the first instance.
9.07 Firefighting Foams and Retardants
- The existing SOP dated back to 2009 and originally titled 9.07 Foams, Wetting Agents and Other Additives – Firefighting SOP
- Since then, CFA has issued Operations Bulletins and other advice regarding foam
- All references to wetting agents have been removed as they are no longer used in operations
- Guidance is now provided for non-operational use of foam
- This review consolidated all relevant guiding documents and information into a single document to simplify dissemination to members
- Clearer advice on training requirements has been included to ensure compliance with EPA standards
- Schedule 1 now specifies the Class A and Class B concentrates approved for operational use
9.08 Health Monitoring and Rehabilitation Teams (HMRT)
- Update of existing 2007 SOP to reflect current Rehab processes
- Significant procedural and technical changes have occurred in health monitoring processes since its original publication
- The program name and function have changed to Health Monitoring and Rehabilitation Team
- The team now includes a rehabilitation component that provides CFA members with equipment and processes to manage fatigue, heat stress, or smoke exposure in a controlled and monitored environment
- Additional information has been added about the scope of practice to ensure HMRT members act within their defined role
- The SOP now details training requirements, key processes, and safety essentials for managing fatigue, health monitoring, and rehabilitation at incidents
9.39 Planning and Conducting a Planned Burn
- This SOP was last updated in 2021 but has been updated again to guide CFA members in planning and conducting planned burn operations
- Each step of the planned burn process has been amended to uphold current practices
- Re-structured some sections to meet current safety and procedural expectations, such as the Ignition Authorisation process
- The Ignition Authorisation section has been revised
- Key terminology updates include changing Burn Controller to Planned Burns Operations Officer (PBOO).
- Additional updates incorporate recent reviews and memos, including herbicide use and plant/pathogen clauses in the Environmental Notes section
9.40 Burn Offs
- This is a new SOP
- The SOP provides a detailed, risk-based approach to burn offs in the CFA context
- It outlines administrative and operational requirements for permitting and facilitating burn offs
- It highlights risks associated with burning hazardous materials (e.g., asbestos-containing building materials).
- Processes ensure personnel safety, require checks, and specify that CFA members should only burn Class A materials (leaves, branches, paper, etc.)
9.41 Prevention of Falls from Height
- SOP renamed and scope broadened to include other types of equipment used to work at heights
- It is now divided into two sections: Emergency response situations (use of ladders) / Storm and flood recovery
- Clarified the use of chainsaws in combination with the SWH system of work
- Amendments include legislative and training requirements previously omitted
10.02 Alpine Resorts
- This SOP had not been reviewed since 2005
- It now provides guidance on driving safety due to previous vehicle sliding incidents
- The SOP avoids duplicating content from other SOPs (e.g., structural firefighting risks) and instead focuses on primary concerns unique to alpine operations
- Focus of requirements specific to volunteer brigade operations in an alpine environment not typically encountered by other brigades
10.17 Threats Against Persons and Security Emergencies
- Renamed from 10.17 Sieges and Civil Disturbances – Response SOP
- The threat landscape has changed significantly, with increased violent incidents globally and in Australia, including vehicle-borne attacks and active armed offenders. Victoria Police has significantly changed their approach to active armed offenders
- Expanded to encompass threats against person / class 2 and security emergencies / class 3 emergencies more broadly and the procedure when a threat/security emergency develops mid-response
- The SOP now aligns CFA’s role in these incidents, particularly where CFA supports casualty management in the warm zone during active armed offender events
- By expanding the SOP from civil disturbances to threats against persons and security emergencies, CFA now provides clear guidance for safety-critical situations
- Detail the capabilities and responsibilities of CFA personnel in hot/warm/cold zones, including potentially required assistance to Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria
10.26 Supporting VICSES Storm and Flood Operations
- Changed title
- Addition of the supporting Storm Operations section to outline a more well-rounded procedure that encompasses both storm and flood situations as they can occur concurrently and have different requirements
- The updated SOP expands on crew safety to account for the varying hazards and related regulations
- The PPC section was developed to encompass additional safety requirements
- SES supported the review of this SOP
- The SOP clarifies CFA’s position on members trained in both chainsaw and SWAH operating on roofs
11.14 Use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)
- Updated support and guidance to volunteer brigades
- Alignment with organisational responsibilities
13.03 Working with Firebombing Aircraft
- This SOP was last updated in 2005 and required updated clauses to match current practices. Change to title and numbering, was 11.10 Water Bombing Aircraft – Working With SOP
- Guidance for night-time firebombing operations
- Commentary on presence of non-agency drones/RPAS during firebombing operations
- Clarity of health safety procedures during or post firebombing drop
- Considerations for environment and biodiversity are outlined to ensure CFA compliance with the Environment Protection Act 2017
- Clarity of tasking aircraft and roles and responsibilities, expressly those of the Air Attack Supervisor and Incident Controller (including when an Air Attack Supervisor is not immediately available).
- Updates to reporting requirements following an aviation near miss and/or incident (e.g. salmon cards).
16.01 Animals and Wildlife
- This is a new SOP
- This issue arises frequently, and the SOP was developed to provide clear advice to members on dealing with animals or wildlife in accordance with relevant requirements
- CFA has adopted a policy position empowering members to take actions to minimise harm to animals
- Clarifies responsibilities and capabilities of CFA personnel when there are animal and/or wildlife welfare concerns during both emergency operations and non-emergency activities
- Emphasises safety measures and parameters when coming into contact with animals and/or wildlife
- Clarifies CFA responsibilities as the control agency and notifications from the fireground to DEECA for animal and/or wildlife welfare concerns
- Informs CFA members on how they may identify local relevant contacts for animal and/or wildlife concerns for non-emergencies, rescues or removal from infrastructure/properties
- Provides personnel welfare information post incident where they may have experienced animals and/or wildlife that were impacted, injured, distressed or deceased
How to provide feedback:
It would be preferred that members provide feedback ASAP, so that it can be received incrementally, allowing us enough time to consolidate, identify trends and research issues raised by members.
Feedback can be provided via:
- Emailing to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Your local VFBV District Council or your local VFBV Support Officer
- By Post: 9/24 Lakeside Drive, Burwood East VIC 3151
- By Fax: (03) 9886 1618
Feedback does not need to be long or detailed, but if you do have the time to make substantive comment that is always welcome.
If you generally support a principle or policy, then a quick note letting us know would also be helpful. Similarly, let us know if you do not support it, or which aspects of it you don't support.
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.
Judge for yourself
By Adam Barnett, VFBV Chief Executive Officer
The last couple of months is supposed to be the reporting period for all Victorian government bodies and entities and is a useful barometer of government transparency.
William Stanbury, a Professor Emeritus of the University of British Columbia, published a fascinating paper through the Canadian Fraser Institute headlined: ‘Accountability to Citizens in the Westminster Model of Government: More Myth Than Reality’.
I appreciate my use of the word fascinating may be a generous term for some.
In his paper, Prof Stanbury opines “It is the necessity to exercise power in the form of delegated authority in the context of a democracy that generates the need for accountability. Power is a conundrum. It is necessary to get things done and to do so efficiently. It is necessary to use coercion to ensure peace and order for the vast majority in the face of the disruptive behavior of the few. At the same time, power can be used improperly. The clear evidence is that power tends to corrupt all who possess it, and, as Lord Acton so famously put it, “absolute power tends to corrupt absolutely.” The exercise of power without accountability is likely to lead to tyranny. Thus it is necessary to (a) justify the moral basis for the existence of power (might does not make right), (b) constrain the use of power, and (c) hold those who exercise power responsible for its exercise. Accountability is what makes delegated authority legitimate; without accountability, there is nothing to prevent abuse.”
It is a frequent misconception that Australia uses a pure Westminster system, that lends its name from the home of the UK Parliament. While the Australian system is most certainly heavily based upon the Westminster tradition, the framers of our Constitution deliberately borrowed some principles from the United States model that makes our system unique. Washminster is often used to describe the pairing of Westminster and Washington DC influences.
Our lower house is lifted straight from Westminster but we then depart radically from the UK by borrowing from the US in the form of our upper house with powers virtually equal to the lower house modelled on the US Senate via a proportional system of voting that results in an equal number of representatives from each state.
We also adopt the Westminster principle known as “responsible government”, which is based on the principle that government is responsible to the people through the parliament, and the creation of an independent public service that provides non-partisan neutrality, stability through a career structure that develops policy expertise, and embeds the Westminster principle of accountability.
Having sat through parliaments public accounts and estimates committee hearings into the 2024/25 financial and performance outcomes this week you really cannot walk away with a strong feeling of confidence that we have either transparency or accountability in Victoria.
I will spare you the details of the theatrics of this committee other than to say I fully endorse journalist Richard Willingham’s annual exclamation of the parody of these processes where government Dorothy Dixers are allowed to chew up the allotted time. Sensationally, public servants are cued and ready to rabbit on in pre-prepared diatribes spinning the government’s achievements, while any questions that scrutinise the department are met with a sudden case of deafness that requires questions to be repeatedly re-asked, and performative incompetence worthy of an oscar where the minutes of the clock are run down while they mysteriously lose the ability to open a simple document to a quoted page number to answer a direct question.
So, what have we learned?
The Department of Justice and Community Safety Annual Report showed a further drop in trained level 3 incident controllers, with only 57 between CFA, FRV and SES combined. Given we had more than 100 on Black Saturday in 2009 and following recommendations of the bushfires Royal Commission had built this up to 152 by 2015, no one in authority seems the slightest bit concerned that we go into a challenging fire season with just one-third of this capability. In fact, rather than prioritise training and accreditation, the department simply lowered its own performance targets to 129 in 2015, 96 in 2018, and then 70 in 2022.
The refusal to support and encourage senior volunteers moving through the level 3 accreditation systems continues to create what I call a self-fulfilling prophecy that I reported on back in May 2023 where it was evident from EMV’s Operating Model Review that the proposal was for public servants to be used to replace agency sourced IMT personnel to fill the shortfall. Think back to the COVID-19 Hotel Quarantine Inquiry to see how well that worked out.
Despite the Victorian Financial Management Act 1994 requiring the relevant annual reports be transmitted to Parliament by the 31st October, both CFA and FRV annual reports continue to be hidden from public scrutiny.
Given how afraid they are of showing that funding to CFA continues to reduce year after year, PAEC has given us advance notice of the new little tricks I predict will be used to try to inflate CFA’s grant numbers. As I have referred to previously, in addition to the grants withheld, the long con being played is to try and treat any reimbursement for fire season expenses as if it’s part of CFA’s base operating budget. These unexpected and unforeseen expenses as defined - do not form part of CFA’s budget appropriations at the start of the year – yet they are added to CFA’s total grant income at the end of the year following the fire season.
This is why the government has refused to disclose CFA’s base budget. PAEC documents have revealed that last financial year – these additional costs associated with declared events during the 2024/25 fire season was $20.36M. I predict that CFA’s share of these reimbursements will be used to try and coverup other falls in funding to spin the lie that technically CFA has received more funding this year than last. It is a very sad day indeed where hoping that natural disaster reimbursements will hide your funding shortfalls is now what we have come to expect from government.
Which leads us to the Year 5 Fire Services Implementation Monitors annual report.
CFA volunteers will have very little cause for optimism that the structural and systemic issues identified in previous reports have any hope of being fixed. I echo the monitor’s concerns that resolution of these issues has been painfully-frustratingly-slow, arduous and ultimately unsuccessful.
The monitors acknowledgement of the revolving door of relievers and the impact that has on volunteers is welcome but pales in comparison to the on-the ground reports from volunteers who frequently speak to me about the problems they face as a result.
In last year’s report the monitor documented there was an average deficit of 17 senior operational leaders per week (ACFO and Commanders). The lived experience of volunteers on the ground leads us to estimate these vacancies have actually risen to new highs over the last 12 months. And this is despite considerable work being done in good faith by all stakeholders to try and address the gaps and vacancies. Most alarming to volunteers is that despite last year’s stark warnings of the risks these gaps would expose during high potential fire seasons like the ones fast approaching – there has still been no intervention by government to address these fundamental concerns. In fact, the government’s own Firefighters Registration Board that was established as part of its reforms to specifically allow external applicants to apply for vacant positions has been a monumental failure. The Registration Board’s annual report gleefully reports on its “notable milestone” at registering just two people during the last financial year. I just couldn’t make this stuff up.
And while the monitor has perceptually expressed sympathy for the agencies doing their best with what they have been handed by government, volunteers remain steadfast that CFA has simply been thrown to the wolves and the current situation sets CFA up for failure. As the monitor repeatedly warns – these new arrangements have yet to be tested under similar catastrophic conditions like those experienced in the past. But to ignore the warning signs is simply unforgivable.
Which leads me back to where I started. It should not be left for us and other stakeholders to be raising the concerns about lack of government funding, transparency, and the ageing and decrepit fire trucks that still leave volunteers having to ride on the outside in the hot sun surrounded by toxic fumes.
To those that think perhaps I’m being a little hyperbolic in my assessment, let me finish with the explosive findings of the independent Victorian Ombudsman from her December 2023 investigation into the alleged politicisation of the public sector. “Forty years ago, the British political satire Yes, Minister depicted a public service that paid lip service to the government of the day while civil service mandarins ignored the politicians and pursued their own agenda.
Today, the boot is on the other foot. Numerous reports around Australia, particularly the recent Robodebt Royal Commission, have revealed a public service overly responsive to the elected government of the day, whatever its colour. Concerns widely shared by retired public sector luminaries, academics and political commentators reveal the erosion of a core Westminster principle: an apolitical public service that serves the government while providing it with ‘frank and fearless’ advice.
…Creeping politicisation is a reality in Victoria, and requires urgent attention.
…Whatever the truth of the question at the heart of this investigation, that so many people were concerned and fearful should be a signal to this Government that all is not well. A culture of fear in the upper echelons of the public sector does not support frank and fearless advice.
…But nothing will change without a recognition at the highest levels of government that change is necessary.
Around Australia public trust in government has been falling for years. If this report does not convince those with the power to make changes, I must leave it to the public to judge for themselves.”
I do not believe it to be an understatement to say volunteers have largely come to the same conclusion as the Ombudsman. This is why VFBV will continue to raise the issues that many people seem fixated on trying to hide from public scrutiny.
Here’s hoping for a quiet fire season, and I wish all members a safe Christmas and New Year. For those called away from family and loved ones during the fire danger period, please know you have our and the Victorian communities’ eternal gratitude and appreciation.
Volunteer Survey Open
This year’s VFBV Vol Survey is now open.
The survey is the largest of its kind and provides an annual snapshot of volunteer opinion, using questions on issues chosen by volunteers.
All responses are confidential, with only de-identified results going straight to decision makers. The results are studied by the CFA Executive, the Department of Justice and Community Safety, the Fire Services Implementation Monitor, and the Victorian Government. Issues highlighted by volunteer feedback and responses drive further initiatives and investment to try and improve the things that volunteers raise as priority issues.
Now in its 14th year, the survey is the oldest, most credible and robust analysis of emergency service volunteer opinion in Victoria.
The survey measures volunteer opinions on what is important to them, and how well CFA is performing according to what they are experiencing. By repeating the survey each year, important trend analysis allows decision makers to evaluate efforts to address key issues, and whether or not the selected improvements are being effective. VFBV uses the results to drive important volunteer advocacy, and push for improvements on the issues that volunteers tell us they value the most.
Scan the QR code below or visit the VFBV website to do the survey today. Paper copies are also available by calling the VFBV Office on (03) 9886 1141.
The survey allows you to rate what’s going well, what needs improvement and an opportunity to suggest key issues requiring further attention. Help us help you and have your say today.
VESEP
In late November, the Minister for Emergency Services the Hon. Vicki Ward announced that 168 brigades and groups have received a grant in the latest round of Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP).
VESEP was co-designed by VFBV and is now in its 25th year. This year - CFA brigades and groups have received $18.9M in grant funding for projects and initiatives. Most importantly, volunteers have contributed almost $4M in co-contributions for these projects, representing the unique value proposition that volunteers make to our emergency services sector.
The VESEP program helps fund much needed new and upgraded operational equipment, vehicles and appliances, volunteer amenities and minor facility improvements for brigades and groups across the state.
The full list of successful recipients are available from the VFBV website. Congratulations to all the successful brigades and groups who received a VESEP grant this year.
2026 State Championships
Entries have now opened for the 2026 State Championships to be held across two weekends in March 2026 at Stawell.
Available on the VFBV website is links to submit your team entry for each of the State Championships as well as links to nominate as a Judge or Official for the Rural or Urban State Championships. Entries and judge and official nominations will close on Sunday 15th February 2026.
Both the rural and urban championship committees have made a number of changes to the their respective senior championships in an effort to encourage more participation from brigades. The rural committee have decided to fix the ladder in place for events 1 and 3 which means these events will require just 4 competitors instead of five. While the urban committee have removed 8 competitor events from their schedule and introduced more 4 and 6 competitor events as well as more events for female competitors.
Please visit the VFBV website for more information on the 2026 State Championships including links to register your team, updated rule books and information for competing brigades. If you have any further questions about championships contact the VFBV office on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
International Volunteer Day
In 2025 International Volunteer Day, acknowledges that every contribution matters highlighting the important role volunteers play in the world. This year’s theme is “Every Contribution Matters” acknowledging that every act of volunteering, whether big or small, contributes to a stronger and more connected world.
International Volunteer Day is held annually on 5 December and is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly as a unique chance for volunteers and organisations to celebrate the efforts of volunteers and promote the work of volunteers in their communities. The day was established in 1985.
VFBV recognises the contribution that all CFA volunteers make to ensuring that their local communities right across Victoria are safe and protected from fire and other emergencies. It’s not just those on the front line who serve as firefighters who contribute to community safety but includes all members who play vitally important roles behind the scenes. Together we all help CFA in its mission to protect lives and property.
The 3V’s project conducted by the former Volunteer Consultative Forum estimated that emergency management volunteers contributed between $1.9 and $2.5 billion to Victoria each and every year across all emergency service agencies.
On behalf of VFBV, thank you to all our amazing CFA volunteers for the work you do each and every day keeping Victorian’s safe.
Rebate Scheme
A reminder that the eligible volunteers rebate scheme is now open for eligible volunteers and life members to apply for a rebate on an eligible property under the Emergency Services Tax.
CFA volunteers intending on claiming the volunteer rebate will be required to first log-in to their CFA online account, to complete the CFA eligibility test.
To check the rules and eligibility requirements, you can visit: https://www.vic.gov.au/evrs If you are eligible and own an eligible property, head to Members Online to start the process.
Affiliations
Thank you to all brigades and groups who have re-affiliated and helped VFBV stand up for volunteers.
Affiliation sends a strong message that volunteers are united and will work together to achieve positive outcomes that benefit not only brigades, but the broader community of which we all protect. It also provides access to the VFBV Welfare Fund, which since its inception has distributed more than $2.85 million in grants to volunteers who have fallen on hard times.
Brigades are reminded that 31st December is the deadline for paying this year’s Welfare Fund subscription. Subscription to the Welfare Fund ensures that all members of the brigades are able to access a grant if they find themselves in financial hardship if due to loss of work, family illness or accidental injury. To avoid any waiting periods in accessing assistance from the Welfare Fund it is important that subscription payments for the 2025/26 year are received by VFBV before 31st December.
If you are unsure if your brigade’s payments are up to date, please reach out to your local VFBV State Councillors or contact your VFBV Support Officer.
Committee updates
Eight pages of updates from the CFA/VFBV Joint Committees are included in this month’s VFBV Quarterly Supplement that is included in this edition of Fire Wise.
VFBV provides a free copy of Fire Wise to all brigade Captains and Secretaries, as well as all Group Officers and Group Secretaries.
The 2-Minute Briefings from each committee provides a quick way to stay updated on important updates to the issues raised by volunteers through VFBV District Councils.
Electronic copies of the quarterly supplement can be accessed via the VFBV website.
PTSD trial
Monash University is conducting a clinical trial to evaluate a new online intervention for couples called Couple HOPES. Couple HOPES is designed to give you and your partner tools to improve PTSD symptoms and enhance your relationship.
They are seeking any current or veteran police officers, firefighters and paramedics with symptoms of PTSD and their intimate partner, who would like to improve their PTSD symptoms and enhance their relationship satisfaction. Couples who participate will receive FREE access to Couple HOPES.
If you would like to find out more about the study or submit an expression of interest to get involved, you can visit the trial website which is linked on the VFBV website.
Drought relief resources
As drought continues to set in across large parts of Victoria, VFBV recognises that it is having a significant impact on many CFA Volunteers, their families and communities.
There are numerous supports available to farmers, businesses, individuals and communities, but navigating these can be a time consuming and sometimes frustrating exercise with information hard to find and spread across multiple sources.
Similar to previous Fact Sheets VFBV has prepared for fire and storms – VFBV has developed a Fact Sheet to assist members navigate the various Drought Relief packages that are currently available.
The Fact Sheet can be downloaded from the VFBV website or printed copies may be requested from the VFBV office via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (03) 9886 1141.
ESF Diversity and Inclusion Awards
The Emergency Services Foundation (ESF) is seeking nominations for its upcoming Diversity and Inclusion Awards to be presented at an International Women’s Day forum on 5 March 2026.
The awards are an initiative dedicated to recognising and celebrating leading practice in promoting inclusion and gender diversity among ESF’s 12 member agencies. They are seeking nominations for 3 awards: Inclusivity Initiative, Women’s Equality Initiative and Diversity and Inclusion Champion.
Nominations close Monday 15 December 2025 and more information can be found on the ESF website.
Recent articles on the VFBV website
Now Open – 2025/26 VFBV Volunteer Survey
2025-26 VESEP Grants Announced
Emergency Services Tax Forecast Funding
Certificate IV in Leadership and Management
Emergency Responder PTSD trial
SOP Feedback – Various Interim SOP’s (October 2025)
2026 State Championships Entries Now Open
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 State Government announced the successful VESEP Grants at the District 15 Headquarters in Wendouree who were one of the 168 successful brigades in this year’s grants program. The Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program was co-designed by VFBV and is now in its 25th year and 168 CFA brigades and groups have received a total of $18.9m in grant funding for projects and initiatives.
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 and this year volunteers have contributed almost $4m in co-contributions for these projects, representing the unique value proposition that volunteers make to our emergency services sector.
To any brigade or group who was unsuccessful in this year’s allocation, it is recommended you contact your District office to ascertain what improvements could be made to your application and prepare your submission early for the next round of grants.
A list of the successful applications is available for download at the bottom of this page.
Congratulations to all the successful brigades and groups.
Entries have opened for the 2026 State Championships, as with previous years entries and judge and official nominations for all State Championships will be collected online.
The 2026 State Championship dates are:
State Urban Junior Championship Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd March 2026
State Urban Senior Championship Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th March 2026
State Rural Senior Championship Saturday 28th March 2026
State Rural Junior Championship Sunday 29th March 2026
The 2026 State Championships will be held in Stawell at the North Park Recreation Reserve (Newington Road).
Entries for all State Championships close on Sunday 15th February 2026. Please note that it is unlikely that late entries will be accepted.
New Member Registrations
Brigades should commence the new member registration process ASAP to enable them to be registered to compete in both local competitions and the State Championships.
The new member registration process via the Volunteer Recruitment Hub takes longer than the old processes and needs to be started well in advance of the Championships to ensure that members are registered before competing.
VFBV has no control over this process and CFA will not authorise competitors who have not completed this to compete at the State Championships. To register a new member please visit https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/volunteers-careers/volunteer-with-cfa/apply-to-volunteer
State Rural Championships - Junior & Senior
Team Entries and Registration
The brigade member responsible for completing their team’s entry should complete the relevant entry form below:
Rural Junior Entry Form: https://tinyurl.com/2026-rural-junior
Rural Senior Entry Form: https://tinyurl.com/2026-rural-senior
Please complete the above forms ASAP if your Brigade intends to enter a team in the 2026 State Championships.
In early 2026 a second form will be sent to brigades who have entered which will collect the following information:
- Competitor Names and CFA Member Numbers (all competitors)
- Parent/Guardian contact information for all members under 18
- The events that each competitor is competing in (all competitors)
Judge and Officials Nominations
All Judges and Officials nominations are to be submitted here: https://tinyurl.com/2026-rural-judge
Please note that you do not need to register as an official for the Rural State Championships if you are nominating to be part of the make up crews, this information is collected via the Team entry forms.
Information for Completing Brigades
A memo with information for competing brigades can be downloaded from the bottom of this page.
This includes information on the changes to the number of competitors in Senior events, updated rule book, local competition dates, outstanding female team award and information about the Torchlight Procession which will once again be held at the 2026 State Championships on Saturday evening.
Updated Rule Book
The State Competition Committee have approved changes to the Rule Book at their October 2025 meeting.
The updates approved by the Committee include:
- All events at the Senior Championship will now have 4 competitors
- Fixing of the ladder in events 1 and 3 (for Seniors) in line with the change to all events being 4 competitor events
- rules included relating to how the Champion Female Team is calculated
A copy of the updated rule book can be downloaded from the VFBV website here.
Printed copies of the rule book are available from the VFBV office if required.
State Urban Championships - Junior & Senior
Team entries
The brigade member responsible for completing their team’s entry should complete the relevant entry form below:
Urban Junior Entry form: https://tinyurl.com/2026-urban-junior
Urban Senior Entry form: https://tinyurl.com/2026-urban-senior
Please complete the above forms ASAP if your Brigade intends to enter a team in the 2026 State Championships.
In early 2026 a second form will be sent to brigades who have entered which will collect the following information:
- Competitor Names and CFA Member Numbers (all competitors)
- Parent/Guardian contact information for all members under 18
- The events that each competitor is competing in (all competitors)
Judge and Official Nominations
All Judges and Officials nominations are to be submitted here: https://tinyurl.com/2026-urban-judge
Information for Competing Brigades
The December 2025 Memo from the Competition and Rules Committee to Competing Brigades and Competition Associations can be downloaded from the bottom of this page. The Memo includes the rule book updates, schedule of events at the Senior Championship, local competition dates and reminders about borrowing and combined team entry rules.
Rule Book
The updated rule book can be downloaded from the VFBV website here.
Queries and Assistance with Entries and Judge/Official Nominations
If you have any problems accessing the online forms, please contact either the VFBV office via email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 03 9886 1141 or CFA via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Please note if you have query, there will be limited response over the Christmas/New Year period however you will receive a response as soon as possible after this time.
We are excited to announce the opening of the Expression of Interest (EOI) for the April and August 2026 Certificate IV in Leadership and Management courses. EOI closes on 1 December 2025.
This course is an integral part of CFA's Volunteer Leadership Development (VLD) Program.
This nationally-accredited course equips graduates with transferable skills in essential leadership and management, enabling them to apply their knowledge across various roles, including those in CFA, the private sector, and community roles.
Whether you are an existing leader seeking further training or a formal qualification, or an aspiring leader looking to formalise your qualifications, this program offers a clear pathway to enhance your capabilities.
Course details
Duration: 12-month program. The high danger risk period December to February, inclusive, has minimal course work to allow volunteers to be available to perform their primary CFA roles as required.
Delivery format: The course will be predominantly online and self-paced, allowing flexibility for participants. Additionally, there will be four sets of face-to-face weekend workshops and a number of virtual workshops scheduled throughout the program, culminatating with a face-to-face graduation.
Project work: Participants will engage in project work staggered throughout the entire program, as part of the 'Undertake Project Work' unit. This practical experience will provide valuable application of leadership principles.
Who should apply?
The EOI is an invitation for highly-motivated volunteers who have: the capacity to complete the Certificate IV workload – averaging out to around 10 hours per week; can commit to the program and coursework considering all of their family, work, sport and other commitments they might have; and are motivated to apply the learning into their current or future CFA leadership role.
We are looking for existing and aspiring leaders
If you currently hold a leadership position within CFA, this program offers an excellent opportunity to enhance your skills and gain a formal qualification.
If you aspire to progress into leadership roles, submitting an EOI for this course is a strategic step toward achieving your goals.
Application process
The EOI is open for those interested in participating in the April or August 2026 courses. Go to Cert IV in Leadership and Management - for Volunteers Commencing 2026.
EOI closes on 1 December 2025. For those who have had prior notification of their acceptance into future groups, there is no necessity to reapply.
About the VLD Program
The VLD Program aims to strengthen and enhance volunteer leadership capability by providing a VLD Framework containing a suite of inter-connected leadership development opportunities. Some of these opportunities include the Leadership Essentials courses, the Regional Leadership Scholarship Program, the Women in Leadership Mentoring Program and the Certificate IV in Leadership and Management.
More information
For additional details, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions. You can also email the Organisational Development team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
We strongly encourage all eligible volunteers to express their interest and embark on this significant journey toward developing life-long leadership skills.
Getting involved
By Adam Barnett, VFBV Chief Executive Officer
At October’s State Council meeting, delegates reaffirmed our long-standing approach to advertise for expressions of interest to our Joint Committee’s and approved the opening of this year’s expression of interest process.
The embracing of the broader membership through our peak consultation forums is one of the key features of VFBV I am most proud and ensures our consultative arrangements are broad and consultative and not just an echo chamber or an endless self-affirming feedback loop.
For those who may be unaware, CFA and VFBV have established eight joint committee’s that link CFA’s key organisational units to VFBV and our members which facilitates CFA to meet its obligations set out in Section 6 of the Country Fire Authority Act.
Our joint committee processes embody the commitment agreed and enshrined through the Volunteer Charter, where we have committed ourselves to use and apply the Charter in the spirit of mutual respect and goodwill and to work together in that spirit to resolve any disputes which may arise between CFA and volunteers by reference to the key principles set down in it.
And while the third signatory to the Charter is still missing in action (government) with the closure of the sectors only volunteer consultative forum, CFA and VFBV have agreed to ensure we each live up to our commitments and obligations and continue to strengthen our relationship.
The scope of the CFA/ VFBV Joint Committees is to ensure genuine volunteer participation, advice and involvement early in the decision-making process on all decisions intended to be made by CFA that impact or have the potential to affect volunteers.
They are a key mechanism for CFA to discharge its statutory obligation to consult with the elected representatives of volunteers on all matters which may impact upon them including proposed policy, legislation and the adequacy of resources to enable volunteers to deliver CFA services.
In late 2021 - CFA and VFBV entered high level discussions about how we could strengthen our consultative processes, and uplift accountability, transparency and collaboration. The intent was to better align our consultative structures with the IAP2 spectrum of public participation and increase our participation goals to the higher end of the spectrum towards the involve and collaborate tiers.
This involved a considerable restructure and an affirmation that in order to overcome the historical issues of CFA departments often working in separate silos’, that each of our committees would remain subject matter based, and the terms of reference would enshrine an obligation on CFA to ensure appropriate subject matter expertise and authorising environment through the provision of executive level chairs.
This restructure breathed new life into our joint committees and went a long way to restoring our confidence that the CFA executive was serious about pivoting to a more volunteer centred workforce and living up to its consultative obligations.
As I reported at last months AGM, our committees are the engine room of our consultative structures, and on reflecting on the previous twelve months - they collectively met 32 times throughout the year, which is a conservative figure as we have not included working parties. Our committees involved more than 85 volunteer delegates across the state, with every district and region represented, and accounted for more than 10,000+ volunteer hours freely given to working with CFA to improve things and make things better.
And to put the massive year we have had in perspective, over the past 12 months VFBV has consulted and reviewed 24 revised standard operating procedures, one new CFA policy, overseen the remaking of the CFA regulations, facilitated 2,115 volunteers to complete our annual volunteer survey, and gathered and considered more than 4,300 items of individual feedback.
Our joint committees progressed over 100 individual issues throughout the year, many out of sight and out of mind, but collectively amounting to significant progress on topics raised by brigades through our statewide District Council networks. Eighty-eight of these topics are covered in our annual report.
On my dark days I despair how long some things seem to take to progress, until I remind myself that CFA has not been master of its own destiny for a very long time now. Many of the improvements require government support through investment or resources, and the diverse makeup of our 1,200+ brigades present a challenging environment to find solutions that suit every community.
And it’s not all smooth sailing. There are still topics where we find ourselves at loggerheads with CFA, but one of the strengths of our relationship and shared history is that we continue to work through these issues with each trying to understand the perspective of the other.
Overall - a massive year all up, and one where volunteer unity also reached new levels with our highest rate of brigade support in our 140- year history – proving that there is more that unites us than divides us. And while we can’t possibly please every single person every single time, this is more a reflection that sometimes we are simply unable to find consensus among volunteers due to the broad diversity of our brigades and number of individuals. But I think it speaks volumes that brigades are able to put these differences aside and appreciate that we are stronger together – even when we do disagree.
In total, a record 1,239 brigades and groups affiliated last year representing in excess of 95% of all brigades sending a strong message to government and the sector that volunteers will always back volunteers.
Strong advocacy to government also reached a new peak, with VFBV being required to advocate on numerous issues such as the expansion of presumptive cancer legislation following our successful work that saw Victoria’s scheme expanded to include three female reproductive cancers. And while good progress, we have been required to continue our fight for fair treatment for volunteers suffering mental injury with our continuing work to see PSTD added to the presumptive scheme similar to other states across Australia.
Victorian firefighters should not be any less protected than other firefighters across the country, and sadly under current arrangements they are. Our National Body, the Council for Australian Volunteer Fire Associations also continues to advocate to the federal government, asking them to take a leadership role in bringing the list of cancers covered by the State’s disparate schemes together. Cancer does not discriminate so why should our legislation. But the sad reality is depending on where you are in Australia, what you are covered for, for how long and how you access it are all very, very different.
Other topics requiring a large amount of effort has been our continued advocacy on the deteriorating CFA budget and ageing CFA fleet; the controversial emergency services tax and volunteer rebate scheme; the ministerial determination on the Fire District Review Panel’s recommendations; the Fire Services Implementation monitors annual workplan and monitoring; the EMV volunteer engagement review; the CFA regulation 10 year sunsetting review; and volunteer treatment under the Fiskville redress scheme.
And while consultation requires patience and endless good will, it is also some of the most rewarding work we do. Many of the things and threats we are able to influence never see the light of day, as we are committed to working with CFA in a spirit of solving our differences quietly. It is a relationship built on respect and trust and has stood the test of time.
But every now and then, when our consultative processes have been exhausted, we are left with no choice but to expand our advocacy broader or to more public facing comms. Our commitment to our members is to exhaust all other options first, but if we are simply unable to achieve some kind of consensus with CFA, then we reserve the right to take the matter further.
You have seen this over the last 12 months in our work on volunteer compensation in particular with CFA having now returned to the table and discussing improvements in line with the concerns we raised last year. I will have more to say about this as discussions progress, but is a wonderful example of our persistence on a matter close to volunteer hearts. In many respects members rarely think about what’s in place should they become injured while conducting CFA activities, so it is very much up to VFBV to be proactive to ensure if you do find yourself in need, the systems and processes are fair, and best support you returning to a full life post injury and recovery.
To finish up where I started, I would urge members to consider whether they have the desire to contribute to our joint committee processes for the year ahead. District Councils have been encouraged to have nominations returned to them by Monday 17th November 2025, to allow time for the District Council prioritisation process prior to submission to the VFBV Executive Officer by Monday 24th November 2025.
If you have an interest, I would urge you to discuss with your local State Councillors, VFBV Support Officer or District Council Executive member. You can also find out more via the VFBV website.
Volunteer Survey Open
This year’s VFBV Vol Survey is now open.
The survey is the largest of its kind and provides an annual snapshot of volunteer opinion, using questions on issues chosen by volunteers.
All responses are confidential, with only de-identified results going straight to decision makers. The results are studied by the CFA Executive, the Department of Justice and Community Safety, the Fire Services Implementation Monitor, and the Victorian Government. Issues highlighted by volunteer feedback and responses drive further initiatives and investment to try and improve the things that volunteers raise as priority issues.
Now in its 14th year, the survey is the oldest, most credible and robust analysis of emergency service volunteer opinion in Victoria.
The survey measures volunteer opinions on what is important to them, and how well CFA is performing according to what they are experiencing. By repeating the survey each year, important trend analysis allows decision makers to evaluate efforts to address key issues, and whether or not the selected improvements are being effective. VFBV uses the results to drive important volunteer advocacy, and push for improvements on the issues that volunteers tell us they value the most.
Scan the QR code below or visit the VFBV website to do the survey today. Paper copies are also available by calling the VFBV Office on (03) 9886 1141.
The survey allows you to rate what’s going well, what needs improvement and an opportunity to suggest key issues requiring further attention. Help us help you and have your say today.
2025/26 Affiliations
Thank you to all brigades and groups who have re-affiliated and helped VFBV stand up for volunteers.
Affiliation sends a strong message that volunteers are united and will work together to achieve positive outcomes that benefit not only brigades, but the broader community of which we all protect. It also provides access to the VFBV Welfare Fund, which since its inception has distributed more than $2.85 million in grants to volunteers who have fallen on hard times.
Brigades are reminded that 31st December is the deadline for paying this year’s Welfare Fund subscription.
Subscription to the Welfare Fund ensures that all members of the brigades are able to access a grant if they find themselves in financial hardship if due to loss of work, family illness or accidental injury.
To avoid any waiting periods in accessing assistance from the Welfare Fund it is important that subscription payments for the 2025/26 year are received by VFBV before 31st December.
If you are unsure if your brigade’s payments are up to date, please reach out to your local VFBV State Councillors or contact your VFBV Support Officer
Annual elections
Following the VFBV Annual General Meeting in early October, VFBV Board held its annual elections for officer bearers. Samantha Collins was re-elected as State President, Howard Smith re-elected as State Vice President and Libby Hay re-elected as Treasurer for the next 12 months.
At the October State Council meeting elections were also held for the two ex-officio members appointed to the VFBV Board by State Council for a one year term. Eric Smith (District 12) and Gerg Murphy (District 20) were both elected as the new State Council nominees to the VFBV Board. Both Eric and Greg have been long-standing members of State Council who look forward to contributing further as members of the Board.
The AGM also acknowledged the service of longstanding VFBV Board Members Graeme Jilbert and Andy Cusack AFSM who both retired from the VFBV Board this year. Andy had been a member of the VFBV Board since 2010 and held the roles of Treasurer and State Vice President during his 14 years as a VFBV Board member. Graeme had been a VFBV Board member since 2013 and held the role of State Vice President during his time on the Board.
Volunteer leadership
Applications are now open for a number of leadership development programs across the state which are made available to volunteers through CFA’s Volunteer Leadership Development project.
Members are able to express an interest in upcoming intakes of the Certificate IV in Leadership and Management course run by CFA. Further details on how to apply can be found on members online.
Expressions of interest are also open across the state for the Regional Leadership Program – Community Leadership Programs. The programs now accepting applications are: Future Shapers (Ballarat and Western regions), Fairley Leadership Program (Goulburn Murray Community Leadership Program), Leaders for Geelong, Gippsland Community Leadership program, Lead Loddon Murray, and Alpine Valley Community Leadership program.
Applications for the Leadership Great South Coast and Change Makers (Leadership Wimmera) program will open later in the year.
PTSD trial
Monash University is conducting a clinical trial to evaluate a new online intervention for couples called Couple HOPES. Couple HOPES is designed to give you and your partner tools to improve PTSD symptoms and enhance your relationship.
They are seeking any current or veteran police officers, firefighters and paramedics with symptoms of PTSD and their intimate partner, who would like to improve their PTSD symptoms and enhance their relationship satisfaction. Couples who participate will receive FREE access to Couple HOPES.
If you would like to find out more about the study or submit an expression of interest to get involved, you can visit the trial website which is linked on the VFBV website.
Drought relief resources
As drought continues to set in across large parts of Victoria, VFBV recognises that it is having a significant impact on many CFA Volunteers, their families and communities.
There are numerous supports available to farmers, businesses, individuals and communities, but navigating these can be a time consuming and sometimes frustrating exercise with information hard to find and spread across multiple sources.
Similar to previous Fact Sheets VFBV has prepared for fire and storms – VFBV has developed a Fact Sheet to assist members navigate the various Drought Relief packages that are currently available.
The Fact Sheet can be downloaded from the VFBV website or printed copies may be requested from the VFBV office via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (03) 9886 1141.
Rebate Scheme
A reminder that the eligible volunteers rebate scheme is now open for eligible volunteers and life members to apply for a rebate on an eligible property under the Emergency Services Tax.
CFA volunteers intending on claiming the volunteer rebate will be required to first log-in to their CFA online account, to complete the CFA eligibility test.
To check the rules and eligibility requirements, you can visit: https://www.vic.gov.au/evrs
If you are eligible and own an eligible property, head to Members Online to start the process.
Joint Committee EOI
VFBV is still accepting expressions of interest from volunteers to nominate to the CFA/VFBV Joint Consultative Committees for the 2026 calendar year.
If you have an interest in one of the 8 streams, feel you can contribute and have the time, are passionate about volunteers and want to be an integral part of our Joint Committee process – then please visit the VFBV website or talk to your local VFBV District Council, State Councillor or VFBV Support Officer for a nomination form.
Nominations are due 24 November 2025 but need to be endorsed by the District Council first.
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 the role of a Joint Committee delegate and how to get involved, please contact your VFBV Support Officer, State Councillor or VFBV Executive Officer Mark Dryden.
Fire Wise – November 2025 online only edition
The November 2025 edition of Fire Wise has been published online only, this edition and past editions are available from the Fire Wise website for a small subscription fee.
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
Now Open – 2025/26 VFBV Volunteer Survey
2026 VFBV/CFA Joint Committee District Nominees Expression of Interest
Emergency Services Tax Forecast Funding
Certificate IV in Leadership and Management EOI
Emergency Responder PTSD Trial
SOP Feedback - Various Interim SOP’s (October 2025)
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.
More...
A number of interim SOP’s have been released with a 12 month review period included to allow for consultation before being finalised.
The interim SOP’s are available for download at the bottom of this page and are:
Released in April 2025
SOP 13.01 - Establishment and operation of RPAS Units SOP
SOP 13.02 - Use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) SOP
Released in August 2025
SOP 7.08 - Community Engagement SOP
SOP 9.11 - Handing over the incident SOP
SOP 11.15 - 24/7 Triage Service (on-call CFA Medical Officer and nurse) SOP
Released in October 2025
SOP10.23 Planning for and response to power facility incidents SOP
Members are encouraged to review the revised SOP's and provide any feedback, suggestions, or amendments including indicating support or non-support for the proposed policies.
Feedback can be provided by individuals, brigades and groups.
All feedback is used to inform and influence formal VFBV positions as well as used to influence CFA positions and thinking during the deliberative process. If we need to use your feedback to demonstrate or illustrate the views of members, your personal details will not be shared with CFA, and feedback will always be de-identified to protect your privacy.
We encourage members to provide feedback as early as possible which will give us a chance to conduct further research that may assist us being able to advocate more strongly for your desired outcome.
All members are welcome and encouraged to provide feedback. If you have any questions, please contact your local State Councillor or VFBV Support Officer in the first instance.
How to provide feedback:
It would be preferred that members provide feedback ASAP, so that it can be received incrementally, allowing us enough time to consolidate, identify trends and research issues raised by members.
Feedback can be provided via:
- Emailing to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Your local VFBV District Council or your local VFBV Support Officer
- By Post: 9/24 Lakeside Drive, Burwood East VIC 3151
- By Fax: (03) 9886 1618
Feedback does not need to be long or detailed, but if you do have the time to make substantive comment that is always welcome.
If you generally support a principle or policy, then a quick note letting us know would also be helpful. Similarly, let us know if you do not support it, or which aspects of it you don't support.
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.
Monash University is conducting a clinical trial to evaluate a new online intervention for couples called Couple HOPES.
Couple HOPES is designed to give you and your partner tools to improve PTSD symptoms and enhance your relationship.
They are seeking any current or veteran police officers, firefighters and paramedics with symptoms of PTSD and their intimate partner, who would like to improve their PTSD symptoms and enhance their relationship satisfaction. Couples who participate will receive FREE access to Couple HOPES.
What's involved?
Participation in all aspects of the study will involve:
- Meeting with one of the research team via Zoom to discuss your eligibility
- Random allocation to receive either immediate or delayed access to Couple HOPES
- Completion of 7 x 30min Couple HOPES modules, including practice assignments between sessions and attending coaching sessions with your coach
- Completing 7 online surveys, each approximately 15-20 minutes in duration
- Participation in an online interview via Zoom (optional)
If you would like to find out more about the study or submit an expression of interest to get involved, you can visit the trial website.
This study has been approved by the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (Project ID 40515).
Springing into summer
By Adam Barnett, VFBV Chief Executive Officer
Early last month, AFAC and the Fire Chief’s released the Seasonal Outlook for spring. For those who have been around for a little while, the telltale signs of indicators trending upward all point towards the potential for a busier than usual fire season. As one of the most fire prone places in the world, unsurprisingly Victoria receives strong emphasis in this year’s outlook.
The outlook makes clear that Victoria has recorded the lowest-on-record 18-month rainfall deficits. These have persisted across the west of the state and extend across west central and south-west Gippsland. The drought conditions that farmers have been reporting on over the last 18 months are evidenced by the underlying soil moisture levels. The outlook also acknowledges that these areas have recorded a significant accumulation of dead plant material that have the potential to heighten bushfire activity further in the season.
And while recent rains may be sending mixed signals to the general public, the real danger is starkly outlined in the report. While acknowledging heavy falls across the south-west, central, eastern and north-east ranges, the evidence shows that while the rainfall has dampened the top layer of soil, the lower-level soil remains historically dry, with uncertainty in how long the top layer of soil will remain damp.
Despite the recent rainfall, and early above average spring rainfall estimates - the outlook cautions that this underlying dryness could rebound very quickly, and areas with arid vegetation types may dry out quicker during warmer and windy weather. It also cautions that while the recent rainfall will generate green growth in paddocks through spring, this will conceal the underlying dryness.
It is this mixed signal environment that highlights the importance of CFA’s shared responsibility model. The beauty and wisdom of CFA’s community placed volunteer brigade model is uniquely designed to cater to these situations and is the key reason VFBV actions and activities will never risk damaging the well-earned volunteer reputation that our community safety relies upon.
Brigades are advised to lean into CFA’s community education and safety campaigns to make it clear that this season will require preparation. Educating the community on positive actions they can take to prepare their homes and properties for the increased risk of fire that is likely to eventuate late spring will be crucial.
The trust and respect the community places in CFA volunteers provides a unique opportunity to lead these community conversations. Our Joint CFA/VFBV Community Safety Committee have also worked hard over the preceding year to encourage and work with CFA to refresh and contemporise the public facing materials.
Brigades can also seek advice from their local Community Safety Managers located in District/Regional offices, for support in engaging with the community at the local level. As well as information on core programs, including material for connecting with new residents or how to host an engaging community display, it may also be an opportunity to connect residents with a community fireguard session, home bushfire planning resources or the property advice visit service. These and other resources can all be accessed from the Community Engagement Content portal on Members Online or through your BASO or local Community Engagement Coordinator (CEC).
And while it may be too late to be actively involved this season, members stepping away from frontline operational roles are exceptionally well suited to becoming volunteer presenters or undertaking the training to become home visit advisors. And there is no better time of year to be learning and being mentored as these programs start to roll out. There are many pathways available for non-operational or those transitioning out of operations to support community safety and education. Bringing one’s operational experience and background make you a very credible presenter, so don’t underestimate this pathway and the ability to influence change. So, if you have taken a step back from a suppression role, consider how you might be able to support the prevention side of our business.
ANNUAL BURNOVER DRILLS
It is that time of year that members are all encouraged to complete their annual skills maintenance in preparation for the fire danger period ahead. The burn over drill is an annual requirement, while refreshing your tree hazard awareness training is required to be redone every three years. While the burn over drill is best done in person, the tree hazard awareness training can be completed online, or via a brigade face to face session should you prefer.
And while some members often talk to me about why they think it is unnecessary to need to redo the burn over drill each and every year, for those of us who are involved in the aftermath of a serious firefighter injury or death and speaking with your loved ones, all I can do is impress on you the importance of undertaking this core refresher each year. Even if you have many many years of experience, if nothing else - your involvement in the drill allows other members to benefit from your experience, and who knows – you just might pick up something during the refresher that you may have missed or forgotten.
At the risk of contradicting myself, there is a potential risk that the annual refreshers encourage complacency. Just because you know how to do the drill, are you equally prepared to ensure you and your crew are never put into a situation that may require it in the first place?
These discussions are best done at the same time as your annual drills as they ensure we don’t just refresh the how but gain a better understanding of the why.
Our Joint Operations Committees have been working with CFA on refreshing case studies gleaned from real after-action reviews to present real stories that can help you step into the mindset of a crew leader and learn from those who have come before us. These are available through CFA’s lessons management section of Members Online, and are often featured in CFA’s pre-season updates, so keep an eye out for them.
In the lessons management section, you can also find some case studies of previous tanker burn overs. To emphasise my point, the title publication “Last Resort Tanker Survival Checklist” is a poignant reminder that performing a burn over on a tanker should be a last resort, and we are putting a lot of trust in the equipment and safety systems on what for many are very old trucks. As the old idiom teaches us - you are safest not to find yourself in that situation in the first place. But should you do so, doing the annual refresher will ensure it becomes muscle memory and not something you will need to struggle to remember in what is a high-risk - high stress environment. It also allows you to evaluate how your peers and fellow members may react during these events.
ANNUAL VOL SURVEY
As teased last month, our annual VFBV vol survey is launching this month and you once again have the opportunity to provide feedback on what’s working and what’s not. A huge shout out and thank-you to each of the 2,115 volunteers that completed the 2024/25 survey.
Your continued involvement in our annual survey adds significant credibility to the results and allows us to keep advocating for improvements on your behalf. It also keeps a spotlight on the critical areas you tell us are your priorities. And because its arm’s length from CFA, we don’t have CFA marking their own homework, which provides confidence to volunteers that the issues they are raising are being prosecuted without fear or favour and are being objectively pursued through our networks.
Even if you are raising the same things you have observed for many years in a row, annual involvement ensures these issues are always contemporised, and no one can hide behind the excuse that it’s an old issue and doesn’t exist anymore. The year-on-year trends are also a critical performance measure that assists CFA determine if the things that have been done to improve an area have hit the ground yet or not.
As a result of the continued consistent dissatisfaction expressed through the survey each year in the training category, we will be working closely with VFBV District Councils to provide strengthened relationships between the Regional and District training teams and brigades. As discussed last month, a deep dive into the qualitative comments provided through the survey last year made it clear that training delivery issues remain a significant flash point. Issues such as when courses are scheduled, where they are scheduled, how much notice is provided, and administrative issues such as how cancellations and waiting lists are handled, as well as if there are enough scheduled courses to meet demand are consistently raised as priorities.
And given the majority of training delivery is scheduled and managed at the local District level, there is an increased opportunity for District Council’s to play an active role in working with brigades and district officers to strongly influence improvement that will directly benefit the local patch.
Simultaneous to this local work, VFBV State Committees are also committed to pursuing substantive changes and improvements to CFA’s LMS and the other related training systems that we all rely on to register, track and report on training needs and outcomes. VFBV will continue to encourage CFA to bid for critical funding that will allow these systems to be fit for purpose and suit an organisation the size of CFA.
These are just two examples of how the survey results directly lead to work and initiatives to address the key issues you raise as priorities.
Please visit vfbv.com.au/cfa to access the 2025/26 survey, or phone the office via (03) 9886 1141 to request a paper copy be mailed out to you. QR codes are also available from VFBV State Councillors or Support Officers, or via Fire Wise or the website.
2025/26 Survey Now Open
This year’s VFBV Vol Survey is now open.
The survey is the largest of its kind, and provides an annual snapshot of volunteer opinion, using questions on issues chosen by volunteers.
All responses are confidential, with only de-identified results going straight to decision makers. The results are studied by the CFA Executive, the Department of Justice and Community Safety, the Fire Services Implementation Monitor, and the Victorian Government. Issues highlighted by volunteer feedback and responses drive further initiatives and investment to try and improve the things that volunteers raise as priority issues.
Now in its 14th year, the survey is the oldest, most credible and robust analysis of emergency service volunteer opinion in Victoria.
The survey measures volunteer opinions on what is important to them, and how well CFA is performing according to what they are experiencing. By repeating the survey each year, important trend analysis allows decision makers to evaluate efforts to address key issues, and whether or not the selected improvements are being effective. VFBV uses the results to drive important volunteer advocacy, and push for improvements on the issues that volunteers tell us they value the most.
Scan the QR code below or visit the VFBV website to do the survey today. Paper copies are also available by calling the VFBV Office on (03) 9886 1141.
The survey allows you to rate what’s going well, what needs improvement and an opportunity to suggest key issues requiring further attention. Help us help you and have your say today.
Joint Committee EOI
VFBV is now accepting expressions of interest from volunteers to nominate to the CFA/VFBV Joint Consultative Committees for the 2026 calendar year.
If you have an interest in one of the eight streams, feel you can contribute and have the time, are passionate about volunteers and want to be an integral part of our Joint Committee process – then please visit the VFBV website or talk to your local VFBV District Council, State Councillor or VFBV Support Officer for a nomination form. Nominations are due 24 November 2025 but need to be endorsed by the District Council first.
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 the role of a Joint Committee delegate and how to get involved, please contact your VFBV Support Officer, State Councillor or VFBV Executive Officer Mark Dryden.
Drought relief resources
As drought continues to set in across large parts of Victoria, VFBV recognises that it is having a significant impact on many CFA Volunteers, their families and communities.
There are numerous supports available to farmers, businesses, individuals and communities, but navigating these can be a time consuming and sometimes frustrating exercise with information hard to find and spread across multiple sources.
Similar to previous Fact Sheets VFBV has prepared for fire and storms – VFBV has developed a Fact Sheet to assist members navigate the various Drought Relief packages that are currently available.
The Fact Sheet can be downloaded from the VFBV website or printed copies may be requested from the VFBV office via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (03) 9886 1141.
2025/26 Affiliations
Thank you to all affiliated brigades and groups that have reaffiliated and helped us stand up for volunteers.
Affiliation sends a strong message that volunteers are united and will work together to achieve positive outcomes that benefit not only brigades, but the broader community of which we all protect. It also provides access to the VFBV Welfare Fund, which since its inception, has distributed more than $2.85 million in grants to volunteers who have fallen on hard times.
Over the past 12 months, VFBV has had to strongly advocate on presumptive cancer legislation, the Fiskville redress scheme, volunteers injured performing CFA duties and requiring fair compensation, the government’s new emergency services tax and volunteer rebate, improvements to the GFF program and other training initiatives, improvements to the CFA Regulations, CFA/FRV secondment arrangements, the ageing CFA truck fleet and the inadequacy of the CFA budget and base funding to just name a few.
Rebate Scheme
A reminder that the eligible volunteers rebate scheme is now open for eligible volunteers and life members to apply for a rebate on an eligible property under the Emergency Services Tax.
CFA volunteers intending on claiming the volunteer rebate will be required to first log-in to their CFA online account, to complete the CFA eligibility test.
To check the rules and eligibility requirements, you can visit: https://www.vic.gov.au/evrs
If you are eligible and own an eligible property, head to https://www.members.cfa.vic.gov.au/ to start the process.
Emergency responder PTSD trial
Monash University is conducting a clinical trial to evaluate a new online intervention for couples called Couple HOPES.
Couple HOPES is designed to give you and your partner tools to improve PTSD symptoms and enhance your relationship.
They are seeking any current or veteran police officers, firefighters and paramedics with symptoms of PTSD and their intimate partner, who would like to improve their PTSD symptoms and enhance their relationship satisfaction. Couples who participate will receive FREE access to Couple HOPES.
What's involved?
Participation in all aspects of the study will involve:
- Meeting with one of the research team via Zoom to discuss your eligibility
- Random allocation to receive either immediate or delayed access to Couple HOPES
- Completion of 7 x 30min Couple HOPES modules, including practice assignments between sessions and attending coaching sessions with your coach
- Completing 7 online surveys, each approximately 15-20 minutes in duration
- Participation in an online interview via Zoom (optional)
If you would like to find out more about the study or submit an expression of interest to get involved, you can visit the trial website.
This study has been approved by the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (Project ID 40515).
Volunteer Leadership Development Programs
Applications are now open for a number of leadership development programs across the state which are made available to volunteers through CFA’s Volunteer Leadership Development project.
Members are able to express an interest in upcoming intakes of the Certificate IV in Leadership and Management course run by CFA. Further details on how to apply can be found on members online.
Expressions of interest are also open across the state for the Regional Leadership Program – Community Leadership Programs. The programs now accepting applications are: Future Shapers (Ballarat and Western regions), Fairley Leadership Program (Goulburn Murray Community Leadership Program), Leaders for Geelong, Gippsland Community Leadership program, Lead Loddon Murray, and Alpine Valley Community Leadership program.
Applications for the Leadership Great South Coast and Change Makers (Leadership Wimmera) program will open later in the year.
If CFA members would like more information about the program please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Fire Wise – October 2025 online only edition
The October 2025 edition of Fire Wise has been published online only, this edition and past editions are available from the Fire Wise website for a small subscription fee.
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
Now Open – 2025/26 VFBV Volunteer Survey
2026 VFBV/CFA Joint Committee District Nominees Expression of Interest
Emergency Services Tax Forecast Funding
Certificate IV in Leadership and Management EOI
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 year’s VFBV Vol Survey is now open for all CFA volunteers to take part.
The survey is the largest of its kind, and provides an annual snapshot of volunteer opinion, using questions on issues chosen by volunteers.
All responses are confidential, with only de-identified results going straight to decision makers. The results are studied by the CFA Executive, the Department of Justice and Community Safety, the Fire Services Implementation Monitor, and the Victorian Government. Issues highlighted by volunteer feedback and responses drive further initiatives and investment to try and improve the things that volunteers raise as priority issues.
Now in its 14th year, the survey is the oldest, most credible and robust analysis of emergency service volunteer opinion in Victoria.
The survey measures volunteer opinions on what is important to them, and how well CFA is performing according to what they are experiencing. By repeating the survey each year, important trend analysis allows decision makers to evaluate efforts to address key issues, and whether or not the selected improvements are being effective. VFBV uses the results to drive important volunteer advocacy, and push for improvements on the issues that volunteers tell us they value the most.
A summary of the 2024-25 survey results was published in the September 2025 edition of the VFBV Quarterly Supplement distributed with Fire Wise and is available for download here.
Scan the QR code below or click here to do the survey today.
If any member requires a paper copy of the survey, please contact the VFBV office on (03) 9886 1141 to arrange for a copy to be posted out.
Help us help you and have your say today.
