VFBV

The second week of May (from 8–14 May) is National Volunteer Week, an annual and national celebration to acknowledge the generous commitment of our volunteers.

VFBV Media Release

MEDIA RELEASE
May 7, 2017

VICTORIA’S CFA VOLUNTEERS LAUDED FOR PROTECTING THE COMMUNITY

Victoria’s 60,000 CFA volunteers are being lauded during National Volunteer Week for continuing a great Australian tradition of protecting their local communities and beyond.

Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria CEO Andrew Ford said Victoria’s volunteers are essential to public safety and provide a professional service that is effective and affordable. 

“Our dedicated volunteers are continuing a great Australian tradition that is well respected in our communities,” Mr Ford said. 

“This week gives us the opportunity to recognise our volunteers and the work they do and also our communities, employers and families for their support of volunteers.” 

Mr Ford said volunteers are part of the fabric of society and contribute to community resilience. “All CFA volunteers provide a professional service and are glad to do so because they want to contribute to their communities,” he said. 

Volunteers make up 95 per cent of Victoria’s firefighting force, are trained with nationally-recognised qualifications and are on call around the clock every day of the year.

Mr Ford said the flexibility and strength of 60,000 CFA volunteers allows help to be sent across Victoria and beyond in times of emergency.

“Being one of the most bushfire prone areas in the world, we know how important it is for Victoria to be able to call on large numbers of trained and experienced volunteers for big fires and other serious incidents,” he said.

“We can be confident our volunteers are always ready to respond to support communities whenever and wherever disasters occur.”

CFA brigades–mostly run by volunteers– protect 60 per cent of suburban Melbourne, regional cities and all of regional Victoria, providing professional services for everything from bushfires and house fires to floods and road accidents.

National Volunteer Week is from May 8-14

The capacity of volunteers to respond to major disasters around the state is explained in the VFBV’s animated clip found at www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRcDE6d3ljw

CFA Events

CFA have advised of the following 'thank you' events;

State Control Centre Tours

Responding to volunteer criticism that all the tours were originally scheduled on weekdays, CFA have now added two weekend tours to the schedule so those that weren't able to make the original posted dates, might wish to check the two new dates announced.

As part of National Volunteer Week, CFA is giving CFA volunteers the opportunity to take a tour and see what happens behind the scenes at the State Control Centre (SCC).

State Control Centre Tour
Host: Emergency Management Victoria (EMV)
Location: SCC – 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne

Session one: Wednesday 10 May from 2.30pm to 4.30pm

Session two: Friday 12 May from 2.30pm to 4.30pm

Session three: Saturday 13 May from 10.00am to 11.30am

Session four: Saturday 13 May from 2.00pm to 3.30pm

The SCC is an important base that is run by Emergency Management Victoria (EMV). The centre is instrumental in working together with many emergency services to coordinate, lead and organise initiatives whilst supporting all communities.

The tour will start with an overview of the SCC workings and each agency’s usage.

Participants will then be split up into smaller groups and taken on a guided tour of the sections within the SCC to find out for themselves the work that is accomplished using real-life situations.

Sections will include

-       Intelligence including mapping

-       Social Media

-       Public Information

-       Fban – Fire Behaviour Analysis

-       Airdesk

-       Resources and logistics

There are 40 places available on each SCC tour. To register via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as soon as possible and include your name, contact number, agency, volunteer number, tour date and preferred time.

Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority Tour

As part of National Volunteer Week, CFA is giving CFA volunteers the opportunity to take a tour and see what happens behind the scenes at Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA).

Host: Anthony Jones – ESTA

Location: ESTA – 33 Lakeside Drive, Burwood East

Session one: Tuesday 9 May from 4.00pm to 4.45pm

Session two: Tuesday 9 May from 5.00pm to 5.45pm

ESTA is dedicated to delivering quality community safety services to the Victorian Public by providing the critical link between the Victorian Community and the State’s emergency services agencies.

The tour will start with an overview of ESTA followed by a tour and question and answer time.

There are 12 places available on each ESTA tour, all places for these tours have been filled. 

Photo Competition 

As part of National Volunteer Week 2017 CFA wants to honour volunteers through pictures taken by volunteers. 

The CFA National Volunteer Week photo competition is open to all CFA volunteers to capture the essence of CFA Values (safety, respect, together, integrity and adaptive) and teamwork that exists throughout brigades around the state.

CFA draws together volunteers from all walks of life. But no matter what we bring as individuals, it's only through cooperation, shared values and teamwork that our brigades can thrive.

This competition sets out to capture this through imagery. So now is the time to get your creative juices flowing. What makes your volunteers so special to you or your community? Be traditional or think outside the square and be artistic. The choice is yours.

The prize winner will receive a $250 Bunnings voucher plus a framed copy of the winning photo. The winning Photo will also be used as the cover photograph on the CFA Facebook page during National Volunteer Week and shared across CFA social media during May 2017.

For the Prize Winner’s brigade, they will receive a framed copy of the Photo and a prize up to the value of $1,000 for the purchase of non-operational equipment  ie branded marquee, BBQ, lawnmower, chairs fridge etc.  CFA will purchase the equipment on the brigade’s behalf, no cash will be given and there will be no reimbursement for equipment or goods already purchased by the brigade.

So start snapping now. The competition opens on Friday 21 April 2017 and closes Wednesday 3 May 2017 at 5pm. Email your entry as a JPEG file to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  (Maximum image size 10MB and if entering twice images to be sent separately)

Individuals can submit up to two entries. Entry is open to all CFA volunteers (CFA employees can only enter if they are current CFA brigade volunteers).

Parade of Honour

There will be a Lap of Honour around the MCG on Saturday 13 May before the AFL game between Essendon and Geelong as part of AFL Country Round. This Lap of Honour will also include volunteers from SES and Life Saving Victoria. Contact your District OM if you are interested in attending.