VFBV

Online for the past four weeks, the CFA-run survey provides volunteers and staff from all districts an opportunity to share their feedback on the strategy.

The survey closes at midnight on Friday 31 July 2015.

CFA Executive Manager Training Development James Stitz says “Completing the survey only takes five minutes, but plays a major role in helping us monitor performance and improve what we do.”

"So far we have had over 550 responses. Thank you to everyone who’s taken the time to complete it. If you haven’t had a chance yet, there is still time to have your say.”

Members are asked to do the survey online. If you would prefer a paper-based version, it can be downloaded here.

Printed surveys can be submitted to Liza Gelt, OT&V, by post (16 Lakeside Drive, Burwood East VIC 3151) or email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Please also contact Liza if you have any queries regarding accessing or submitting the survey.

Note from VFBV CEO Andrew Ford:

The Emergency Management Commissioner, with in-principle support from the Minister and Premier, has released a draft Emergency Management Volunteer Statement for consideration and feedback from VFBV and volunteers.

The VFBV Board and CEO were invited to provide comments on an initial draft and are happy to report that essentially all of our early feedback has been incorporated into this current draft.

CFA volunteers already place a high value on the existing CFA Volunteer Charter and legislative backing that supports it.  The draft Emergency Management Volunteer Statement wording and the formal commitment from Craig Lapsley as Emergency Management Commissioner, and on behalf of the Government as Chair of the Minister’s Volunteer Consultative Forum, has confirmed that the intent of the Emergency Management Volunteer Statement is to strengthen and complement the existing CFA Volunteer Charter, which will continue as an enduring commitment between Government, CFA and VFBV on behalf of CFA volunteers.

As VFBV Chief Executive Officer, my broad view is that the draft Emergency Management Volunteer Statement is a positive and reinforcing commitment by the Victorian Government and Emergency Management Sector to consult and engage with volunteers in emergency management on matters that affect them.

VFBV has been requested to provide further feedback and ideally endorsement of the Statement before 17 July 2015.  I think this Emergency Management Volunteer Statement is a positive initiative and invite your comment and/or suggestions for refinement, prior to VFBV providing final advice to the EM Commissioner on 17 July. 

Andrew Ford

Chief Executive Officer

Click here for the draft Emergency Management Volunteer Statement and the online feedback form.

CFA Electrical Safety Advisory Group

VFBV has been invited to nominate 3 members to be part of a CFA Electrical Safety Advisory Group.

This small working group will provide advice on electrical matters that impact CFA, including but not limited to;

•          Firefighting training materials
•          Railway electricity procedures
•          LV fuse removal
•          De-energizing electrical systems (solar etc)
•          Standards for 240v wiring, systems and appliances on operational vehicles
•          Generators, Invertors & UPS’s

As this is a specialist group, it is desirable for our nominees to have the following attributes;

•          Current operational member/activity (aware of fire ground practices)
•          Extensive background in the electrical industry
•          Access to email & internet (a lot of work of this group will be done via electronic means)

Please pass this information on to members you feel might like to be involved in this advisory group, and ask them to send VFBV an Expression of Interest, detailing their Name, Brigade, and any background information/work history that they feel would benefit them in this role. Send EOIs to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Monday 16 June please.

• VFBV's third Volunteer Survey - register now

The third VFBV Volunteer Welfare & Efficiency Survey will be online in the middle of 2014.  To pre-register to receive the survey via email, click here.

The survey is a total of 33 questions chosen by volunteers and takes about 15 minutes to complete. Your answers are confidential.

Last year’s survey was a great success with more than 1,400 participants. VFBV examined the results in detail to guide its own actions and briefed the CFA Board. See the full report here.

The third survey will show trends in volunteer opinions on issues chosen by your fellow volunteers and if you register today you’ll receive the survey automatically as soon as it opens.

• CFA Training Strategy Survey - deadline extended to 15 April

You can download CFA’s Training Strategy Implementation Survey on Brigades Online or click here to take part. The survey closes on 15 April.

• VFBV's third Volunteer Survey - register now

The third VFBV Volunteer Welfare & Efficiency Survey will be online in the middle of 2014.  Pre-register to receive the survey via email, by sending your name, district and email address to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The survey is a total of 33 questions chosen by volunteers and takes about 15 minutes to complete. Your answers are confidential.

Last year’s survey was a great success with more than 1,400 participants. VFBV examined the results in detail to guide its own actions and briefed the CFA Board. See the full report here.

The third survey will show trends in volunteer opinions on issues chosen by your fellow volunteers and if you register today you’ll receive the survey automatically as soon as it opens.

• CFA Training Strategy Survey - deadline extended to 15 April

You can download CFA’s Training Strategy Implementation Survey on Brigades Online or click here to take part. The survey closes on 15 April.

• Uniforms

A new VFBV Uniform Working Party will progress the Station Wear/Field Wear issues raised by the Chief Officer.

District Councils have been asked to choose delegates to a reference group, coordinating grass roots input to decisions and VFBV’s official position.

Contact your District Council to take part.

• CFA Training Strategy Survey

You can download CFA’s Training Strategy Implementation Survey on Brigades Online or click here to take part. The survey closes on 31 March.

• CFA Section 29 Brigade Feedback trial

Brigades are invited to participate in the trial, either along with their Section 29 or stand-alone.

Click here to take part.

• Survey - Portability and Training Qualifications for Emergency Management Volunteers

The survey is open until 9 February – click here to take part.

The Australian Emergency Management Volunteer Forum (AEMVF) is running a survey open to emergency management volunteer organisations and volunteers. 

The survey is for the Portability and Training Qualifications for Emergency Management Volunteers project.  It is being conducted by the Australian Red Cross, for the AEMVF, and is funded through the National Emergency Management Projects program. The results will be published by the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department later this year.

Download the document below for details.

• Uniforms

A new VFBV Uniform Working Party will progress the Station Wear/Field Wear issues raised by the Chief Officer.

District Councils have been asked to choose delegates to a reference group, coordinating grass roots input to decisions and VFBV’s official position.

Contact your District Council to take part.

• New Incident Management Role Specifications 

VFBV seeks members to participate in a Volunteer Reference Group.

Closing date for expressions of interest is 20 January, 2014.

Respond by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., fax (03) 9886 1618 or by mail, Attn: Adam Barnett, PO Box 453 Mt Waverley VIC 3149.