Emergency Management Volunteer Statement - Have Your Say
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 AND VFBV BOARD VACANCIES
UPDATED 13 MAY 2014
A CFA Act amendment Bill currently before Parliament will refine the appointment process for CFA Board Members to give CFA a skills-based Board rather than one based on representation of stakeholders.
<See below for official advertisements and role statements for nominees>
The changes to the CFA Act are designed to ensure the CFA Board has the skills and expertise required to operate as a high performing Board.
They recognise and reinforce the importance of the Board possessing strong knowledge, expertise and understanding of CFA volunteerism.
Significantly, the changes also recognise VFBV’s crucial role, by retaining our role of submitting a panel of names from which four of the nine CFA Board members will be selected by the Minister.
Retaining volunteer involvement at CFA Board level is important for all CFA volunteers and a terrific achievement for VFBV, signifying respect for the role that VFBV performs. VFBV and the Government are the only bodies named in the proposed amendments to the CFA Act as nominating CFA Board members.
The proposed change to the CFA Act reaffirms the role of volunteers at every level of CFA’s decision making, and is in line with VFBV’s thinking that an extensive knowledge and experience of volunteering and working with volunteers is one of the essential skills for any potential CFA Board Member. A CFA Board with strong volunteer knowledge and experience is essential.
The change in the CFA Act would look for a number of skills and abilities in CFA Board members, including; “knowledge of, or experience in, commercial, technical, operational, legal or financial matters;” and “expertise in fire services, emergency management, land management or any other field relevant to the performance of the functions of the Authority.”
In introducing the Bill, Police and Emergency Services Minister Kim Wells has told Parliament;
“The bill will transform the existing CFA board appointment process by requiring that board members have one or more of a series of critical skills, knowledge or experience, while continuing to recognise that the CFA is essentially a volunteer based emergency service.
“It is important that the CFA board has strong volunteer expertise, knowledge and an understanding of CFA volunteerism.
"To guarantee such familiarity, knowledge and understanding of CFA volunteerism four members of the CFA board will be nominees of Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria.”
The Bill provides for four CFA Board members, being “two volunteer members of brigades predominately serving urban communities;” and “two volunteer members of brigades predominately serving rural communities”, “to be appointed from a panel of names nominated by the Board of Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria”.
If you or someone you know has the skills, experience and knowledge to make a difference on the CFA Board, now or in the future, please contact VFBV on (03)9886 1141 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
CFA AND VFBV BOARD VACANCIES
VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADES VICTORIA
ADVISES OF CFA BOARD VACANCIES
CFA legislation provides for four of the CFA Board’s Members to be appointed from a panel of names submitted by Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria.
A CFA Act amendment Bill currently before Parliament will refine the appointment process for CFA Board Members to ensure the CFA Board has the skills and expertise required to operate as a high performing Board.
The changes recognise and reinforce the importance of the Board possessing strong knowledge, expertise and understanding of CFA volunteerism, and also seek to ensure the CFA Board has skills knowledge and expertise in commercial, financial, legal, public administration and emergency services, with the requirement that nominees have one or more of the skill requirements outlined in the legislation.
The terms of CFA Board Members Paul Denham and Don Robertson expire in August 2014, creating two vacancies on the CFA Board to be nominated by VFBV, one being a representative from a brigade predominantly serving urban communities and one being a representative from a brigade predominantly serving rural communities as per the CFA Act.
CFA volunteers who believe they have the skills, experience and capacity to make a contribution to the CFA Board, and ensure that the CFA Board has strong volunteer expertise, knowledge and an understanding of CFA volunteerism, are invited to apply to fill these vacancies.
From applications received and following interviews, VFBV will submit a panel of names to the Minister for Police & Emergency Services.
The CFA Board meets on a monthly basis and also operates a committee system which could require a commitment of one half day per month. Attendance at official functions is also expected.
The appointment to the CFA Board would be for a period of up to three years; the retiring members are eligible for re-appointment.
Remuneration for a member of the CFA Board is $17,314 p.a.
A Role Statement is available on the VFBV website or available from the VFBV office. For other relevant information, interested volunteers should contact VFBV – contact details below.
Applications including a current resume must be lodged with VFBV by COB on Monday, 16th June 2014, to:
VFBV, P O Box 453, Mt Waverley Vic 3149
Tel: 9886 1141; Email: j.laingThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Board Members of Volunteer
Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV)
Invitation to apply
Four VFBV Board vacancies – for a 2 year term until 1st October 2016
Closing date for written applications is Monday 11th August 2014
VFBV advances the interests of all Victorian fire brigade volunteers and advocates on their behalf to CFA and other key stakeholders. The VFBV Board drives policy development based on volunteer input and is involved in management of issues of central importance to all CFA volunteers.
Vacancies for Four Board Members will arise when the terms of Andy Cusack, Nev Jones, Bill Maltby and Bruce Pickett expire on 1st October 2014.
The term of appointment will be for two years and applications are invited from interested volunteers to be considered for these vacancies. The retiring members are eligible for re-appointment.
The role of a VFBV Board Member involves contributing to VFBV direction, performance and policy discussion at Board Meetings, networking with others about policies and issues management, and not only making decisions but being prepared to actively advocate for the benefit of all CFA volunteers and ultimately the Victorian community.
A Board Member Role Statement including the key selection criteria is available from the VFBV office or website www.vfbv.com.au
This is an honorary position; no honorarium is paid.
If you are motivated by the prospect of making a difference for CFA volunteers, then send your written application addressing the key selection criteria in the role statement, plus an outline of your CFA activity including the names of two referees.
Applications must be lodged with VFBV by Monday 11th August 2014.
to: VFBV, P O Box 453, Mt Waverley 3149
Tel: 9886 1141; Fax: 9886 1618
Email: j.laingThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
