Volunteers will have more of a chance to have their say at the national level, with the signing of an agreement between emergency volunteers’ associations and the body representing state and national fire organisations.
The Council of Volunteer Fire Associations (CAVFA), of which VFBV is a member, and the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC) signed the Memorandum of Understanding a few weeks ago, agreeing to work for mutual understanding, co-operation and collaboration.
CAVFA Deputy Chairman and VFBV President Hans van Hamond AFSM says the MOU will help ensure issues affecting volunteerism are given solid consideration by AFAC and should help to give emergency volunteers a stronger voice at the national level.
Under the agreement, AFAC will discuss and seek input from CAVFA on matters that have direct impact on volunteers. In return, CAVFA will encourage members to share in the discussions to address current and emerging challenges facing volunteers in the fire and emergency services today and into the future.
CAVFA members include the 11 volunteer fire associations of ACT, WA, NSW, the Northern Territory, Queensland, Tasmania and Victoria, representing a combined 250,000 members.
