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VEOHRC Independent Review report release update – Court of Appeal judgement Thursday 4th October 2018
Written by VFBV
Throughout the past year volunteers have been querying when the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) Independent Review into Equity and Diversity in CFA and MFB will be released.
To recap, the VEOHRC Independent Review into equity and diversity in CFA and MFB was conducted in late 2016 and much welcomed by VFBV and volunteers across CFA, with an expectation that the final report would be released early in 2017.
It was with much disappointment that we learned in mid-2017 that the report could not be released due to action instigated by the UFU in the Supreme Court seeking to prevent VEOHRC releasing its report publicly. The report was originally on track for release in about July 2017 but has been held up due to the UFU legal action blocking its release.
Despite the Supreme Court providing a decision in early December 2017 dismissing the UFU application and confirming that the VEOHRC has acted within its powers in undertaking the work the report was still not released because following the Supreme Court dismissal of UFU’s application, in mid-January 2018 the UFU took further legal action appealing the Supreme Court decision in the Court of Appeal. The case was heard by the Court of Appeal in April 2018 and advised it would issue its decision at a later date.
Subsequently the report has still not been released as at today.
VEOHRC have now written to VFBV informing us that the Court of Appeal has advised that United Firefighters Union Australia v. Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission & Anor has been listed for judgment this week at 10am on Thursday, 4 October 2018.
VEOHRC have advised that the commission will attend Court to receive the decision and will then be in touch as soon as possible after the decision has been handed down to notify us of the outcome.
The anxiety and frustration the delay is causing, particularly to people who participated in the review, is understood. VFBV will continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide further advice as soon as a decision is known. I encourage anyone who needs support because of the process associated with the release of this report to contact VEOHRC on 9032 3464 or visit the VEOHRC website https://www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/home/our-projects-a-initiatives/independent-review-cfa-and-mfb and follow the prompts to be targeted to the appropriate support; seek support from our VFBV network; and/or discuss your concerns with your local networks.
The September Newsletter is now available. Click here to view the September edition.
You can view all previous editions by visiting the Archives available by clicking here.
Invitation to apply: Board Member of Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV)
INVITATION OPEN TO ALL CFA VOLUNTEERS
As from 1st October 2018, there will be a vacancy on the VFBV Board.
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.
The term of appointment will be to 1st October 2020 (two years) and applications are invited from interested volunteers to be considered for this vacancy.
The role of a VFBV Board Member involves contributing to VFBV direction, policy determination and monitoring the performance and governance of the Association. Also actively contributing to 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 at the bottom of this page.
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.
Closing date for written applications is 14th November 2018
Applications must be lodged with VFBV by Wednesday 14th November 2018 to:
VFBV, 9/24 Lakeside Drive, Burwood East 3151
Enquiries can be made via Tel: 9886 1141; Fax: 9886 1618; or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Now Open 2018 Volunteer Welfare and Efficiency Survey
Written by Adam Barnett
The 2018 VFBV Volunteer Welfare and Efficiency Survey is now open to all CFA volunteers.
CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY.
The survey will be open until Monday 22 October 2018.
The VFBV Volunteer Welfare and Efficiency Survey is an annual snapshot of volunteer opinion, which includes 33 questions on issues chosen by CFA volunteers. Last year over 2,600 CFA volunteers took part in the survey and over 7,700 volunteers took part across our interstate surveys. Your comments are confidential, but the results go straight to the decision makers.
The survey will take 10 – 15 minutes to complete and is open until close of business on Monday 22 October 2018.
The survey continues to be an important and reliable method to capture the views of volunteers and track what has been achieved and is improving, as well as addressing areas that are the cause of dissatisfaction for volunteers. You can access last years results from here.
For the third year, the survey is being offered to volunteers from fire agencies across Australia. Please see below for details of the other State and Territory Fire Service surveys available.
2018 Volunteer Welfare and Efficiency Survey available to Fire Agency Volunteers from Across Australia
For the third year, the Volunteer Welfare and Efficiency Survey is being offered to volunteers from fire agencies from across Australia. They survey has been a success in Victoria since 2012 and is being offered to fire service volunteers again in 2018 through each state’s representative associations as part of the Council of Australian Volunteer Fire Associations (CAVFA).
The survey was developed by VFBV, to address a significant gap in the information available to the state’s decision maker, and over the years has been become an unmatched guide to trends in volunteer opinions.
The survey will take 10 – 15 minutes to complete and is open until close of business 22 October 2018.
To take part, click on your fire service below.
New South Wales
Queensland
Rural Fire Service Queensland Survey
Tasmania
Tasmanian Fire Service Volunteers Survey
Note Tasmanian Fire Service Retained Volunteers Association have elected to not take part this year, please contact TRVFA if you have any queries.
Victoria
Western Australia
Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service Survey
2018 Volunteer Welfare and Efficiency Survey Now Open
Written by Adam Barnett
The 2018 VFBV Volunteer Welfare and Efficiency Survey is now open to all CFA volunteers.
CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY.
The survey will be open until Monday 22 October 2018.
The VFBV Volunteer Welfare and Efficiency Survey is an annual snapshot of volunteer opinion, which includes 33 questions on issues chosen by CFA volunteers. Last year over 2,600 CFA volunteers took part in the survey and over 7,700 volunteers took part across our interstate surveys. Your comments are confidential, but the results go straight to the decision makers.
The survey will take 10 – 15 minutes to complete and is open until close of business on Monday 22 October 2018.
The survey continues to be an important and reliable method to capture the views of volunteers and track what has been achieved and is improving, as well as addressing areas that are the cause of dissatisfaction for volunteers. You can access last years results from here.
For the third year, the survey is being offered to volunteers from fire agencies across Australia. Please see below for details of the other State and Territory Fire Service surveys available.
2018 Volunteer Welfare and Efficiency Survey available to Fire Agency Volunteers from Across Australia
For the third year, the Volunteer Welfare and Efficiency Survey is being offered to volunteers from fire agencies from across Australia. They survey has been a success in Victoria since 2012 and is being offered to fire service volunteers again in 2018 through each state’s representative associations as part of the Council of Australian Volunteer Fire Associations (CAVFA).
The survey was developed by VFBV, to address a significant gap in the information available to the state’s decision maker, and over the years has been become an unmatched guide to trends in volunteer opinions.
The survey will take 10 – 15 minutes to complete and is open until close of business 22 October 2018.
To take part, click on your fire service below.
New South Wales
Queensland
Rural Fire Service Queensland Survey
Tasmania
Tasmanian Fire Service Volunteers Survey
Note Tasmanian Fire Service Retained Volunteers Association have elected to not take part this year, please contact TRVFA if you have any queries.
Victoria
Western Australia
Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service Survey
2018 VFBV Volunteer Welfare and Efficiency Survey Pre-Registration Now Open
Written by Adam Barnett
The 7th annual, VFBV Volunteer Welfare and Efficiency Survey will open on Friday 31 August 2018 and run until 22 October 2018.
The survey continues to be an important and reliable method to capture the views of volunteers and track what has been achieved and is improving, as well as addressing areas that are the cause of dissatisfaction for volunteers.
Click here to register to receive the survey when it opens.
The VFBV Volunteer Welfare & Efficiency Survey is an annual snapshot of volunteer opinion, which includes 33 questions on issues chosen by volunteers. Each question asks you how important the issue is to you and how well you think CFA is performing. They survey takes around 10 – 15 minutes to complete.
Last year a record number of volunteers completed the survey with over 7,700 volunteers taking part through our interstate surveys. Your comments are confidential, but your input will assist VFBV, CFA and EMV to plan for the future.
Download a sign-up sheet at the bottom of this page and get your whole brigade or group registered to take part in the survey.
Snapshot of the 2017 VFBV Volunteer Welfare and Efficiency Survey Results
Survey Participation
- The number of CFA respondents continues to be high (2,653) and statistically robust, and has been identified as a valid representation of the wider CFA volunteer population.
- The highest percentage of female respondents (18%) since the survey commenced in 2012.
- The demographics profile of respondents largely represents the overall CFA volunteering population. The only exception is the under-representation of volunteers with less than 1 year of service.
- All CFA districts are represented in the responses.
- There is only a small group of respondents who identify as being under 25 (approximately 3%). This is consistent with previous years.
- 30% of all respondents provided additional comments to support or add to their views
Understanding the Survey Results
The survey using a Likert scale (a scale used to represent people’s attitudes to a topic) of 1 to 10 for the Importance that a particular factor represents for the respondent, and then the respondent’s view of Performance for that particular factor.
Determining the Gap and VolWEL Outcome
The relative measure of how closely performance meets the expectation of Importance, is referred to as the Gap. The illustration below, demonstrates the calculation of the Gap derived for each statement, which is then averaged to provide the Gap for each theme.
The Gap then determines the Volunteer Welfare and Efficiency Level (VolWEL) is a way that is easy to interpret and understand.
A high VolWEL outcome is a sign that things are not working well and that volunteer expectations are furthest from being met.
A low VolWEL outcome is a good sign that things are working well and indicates volunteer expectations are closer to being met.
Overall Results
The results from the 2017 VFBV Volunteer Welfare and Efficiency Survey are largely consistent with previous years – the areas that had the biggest gaps when the survey was introduced in 2012, are still areas causing the highest levels of dissatisfaction amongst volunteers – the areas where volunteer expectation are closest to being met, remain at this level.
Changes to results since 2016:
The VolWEL outcome has improved for the following themes:
- Cooperation Across CFA
- Training by CFA
- Support From CFA
The VolWEL outcome has worsened for the following themes:
- Respect and Professionalism
- Recruitment and Retention
- People Management – My Brigade
The VolWEL outcome has remained steady for My Role as a Volunteer theme.
- Members are most satisfied with their role and activities at brigade level
- Members are least satisfied with activities which are the responsibility of CFA corporate / management level
- The views on the performance of Training by CFA is the most improved of all themes – but still rates as one of the areas where there is the biggest gap between expectations and performance
- Recruitment and Retention continues as one of the more positive areas, but results highlight the recruitment and retention of young volunteers as an ongoing concern
- People Management – My Brigade received the highest scores for both importance and performance
- Cooperation across CFA received the lowest scores for performance
Areas identified as in need of significant improvement
- Volunteers do not feel they are effectively consulted in decision making at corporate level or regional level
- CFA corporate policies and leadership do not support an effective volunteer based and fully integrated organisation
- There is an issue with the lack of respect for volunteers by paid personnel, respect and value for the contribution of volunteers by CFA, and CFA does not do enough to promote community confidence in the role and professionalism of volunteers and their brigades
- CFA does not provide enough training opportunities in formats, at times and at locations that make it easy to participate nor is it provided within a reasonable distance of the brigade
- CFA does not support its workforce arrangements which allow paid staff and volunteers to work cooperatively as an integrated team. This is view least favourably by volunteer members of integrated brigades
- Recruitment and retention, particularly retention, of younger volunteers continues to be a challenge for brigades.
Areas identified as performing well
- There are no barriers to the roles women can occupy within a brigade
- Diversity is accepted and welcomed at brigades
- Volunteers are effectively consulted and involved in decision making at brigade level
- Volunteers feel the time they devote to CFA is productive and worthwhile
- There is a friendly environment within brigades, which welcomes new members and has good morale
- New volunteers, are actively supported to allow them to turn out to incidents within a reasonable time of joining
- New volunteers in non-response roles are actively supported to allow them to contribute within my brigade within a reasonable time of joining
Results by demographic
- Volunteers who identify as being in a leadership role at a level broader then their brigade give higher importance scores in all areas, than brigade members and leaders within brigades
- Overall, it appears volunteers in leadership roles at level broader than their brigade, are most satisfied with their role, however are more critical of performance, generally indicating a bigger gap between expectation and performance for the survey statements than was seen with brigade members or brigade leaders
- Volunteers in brigade leadership roles are the most satisfied with activities at brigade level
- Female respondents tend to give both higher importance and performance ratings than male peers. However, overall results when reviewed by the different gender categories the gap in meeting their expectations is similar.
The only exception being in the areas of equal opportunity, welcoming diversity and a lack of tolerance for bullying, where females had slightly lower levels of satisfaction.
- Volunteer members of Integrated brigades had the biggest gap between expectations and performance when comparing their results with members of other brigade types. The only exception was for volunteer members of Urban brigades who indicated lower levels of satisfaction in relation to the location of, accessibility to and lack of opportunity for training
- Members of Rural brigades appear to be the most satisfied across all areas of welfare and efficiency
- A comparison between volunteers with different lengths of service history shows that the longer a volunteer remains with CFA, the bigger the gap between expectation and performance widens. Satisfaction continues to show improvement generally after 16 years of service
- In previous surveys, the youngest cohort that responds (18 – 25 years of age) tended to be the most satisfied. Concerningly, this cohort in 2017 have the biggest gaps for the themes of Training by CFA, Recruitment and Retention and People Management – My Brigade, when compared with other age groups.
Overall Satisfaction
- Overall satisfaction with CFA volunteer role continues to decline
- Ratings for both intention to continue volunteering and recommending CFA to others has increased when compared with 2016 results
- For all satisfaction related statements, Integrated brigade volunteer members rated satisfaction the lowest, compared to Rural and/or Urban brigade volunteer members
Motivation to volunteer
The 2017 results show there continues to be a shift in the reasons for volunteering. “A sense of fulfilment in supporting my community in a meaningful way” is the main reason for 33% of volunteers in 2017 compared with 46% in 2012.
“To help protect the community I live in” has continued to increase and in 2017 accounts as the main reason for volunteering for 61% of responding CFA volunteers – this is compared with 48% of volunteers in 2012.
2017 Volunteer Welfare and Efficiency Survey – other fire and emergency management agencies
In 2017, volunteers with fire services from around Australia once again participated in the same welfare and efficiency survey, as did many other volunteer emergency management organisations in Victoria. Overall, including CFA participants, 7,714 volunteers took part.
The results for the 2017 Victorian Emergency Management Volunteer Welfare and Efficiency Survey and the results for fire services nationally are currently being presented to the agencies.
Job Opportunity - VFBV Policy & Advocacy Officer
- Apply your policy, communications and public relations skills
- Key Strategic Advocacy and Communications Role
- Facilitate and Formulate Policy
About the Role:
VFBV is seeking to appoint a talented and motivated Policy and Advocacy Officer to work fulltime based at our Burwood East office. This is a key role in our small VFBV team and involves broad ranging and rewarding work that supports and benefits our CFA Brigade members across Victoria.
We are looking for a person to assist VFBV work with volunteers to undertake issues research and policy analysis; prepare issues papers, briefings, reports and submissions; to support VFBV to advocate and represent the views of volunteers to decisions makers, and to help our broader communication effort.
You will undertake research and analysis on key issues impacting CFA volunteers and the emergency sector. You will help VFBV keep abreast of views and needs of our volunteer members and assist in developing solutions and advocating to achieve optimal outcomes.
About you:
The person we are looking for will have strong policy analytical and research skills along with strong verbal and written communication skills. Relevant tertiary qualifications or experience in a related discipline such as public policy, industry analysis, industry research. Excellent time management, interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and build relationships and work collaboratively with, and influence, a range of external and internal stakeholders is essential.
The successful applicant will need a solid understanding of CFA and volunteerism. In addition, you will need to be a good listener, be able to navigate through complex issues resolution and have good critical thinking, written and verbal communications skills. You must be a self starter and above all you will have a passion to improve arrangements that benefit the welfare and efficiency of CFA volunteers and all Victorians. This is a full-time position giving the right candidate an opportunity to put a stamp on the VFBV of the future.
How to Apply:
All applications must include current resume and cover letter addressing key selection criteria outlined in the Position Description.
A copy of the Position Description can be found here.
Any questions or queries re the application process should be directed to Cathie Smith from the VFBV Office on (03) 9886 1141 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Dandenong Fire Brigade are again sponsoring a firefighters health and safety awareness program of fire smoke.
This ‘Smoke Symposium’ training and awareness program is presented by the Fire Smoke Coalition of the United States, with sponsorship from the Dandenong Fire Brigade, and will feature world’s leading fire service experts on Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN) exposure and Smoke Toxicology
Organisers are pleased to announce that we will have Jason Krusen from the FireSmoke Coalition attend to present at two single day workshops in August here in Melbourne.
Key topics to be covered:
- Anatomy of smoke
- Atmospheric monitoring
- Air management
- Treatment of the smoke inhalation patient
- PPC & the dangers of contaminated gear
| When: | Friday 3 August 2018, 0900-1600 hours Saturday 4 August 2018, 0900-1600 hours *Two separate sessions available |
| Where: | Frankston Performing Arts Centre 27-37 Davey Street, Frankston, Victoria |
| Registration: | www.trybooking.com (Search Buy Tickets for ‘Smoke Symposium’) |
| Cost: | Free |
A copy of the advertisement is available for download at the bottom of this page.
VFBV has received a District Council request to advocate that for reasons of health and safety - that torches be mandated as forming part of CFA’s minimum Personal Protective Clothing and supplied by CFA.
State Council discussed this matter at their most recent meeting, and have requested a survey be conducted to determine Brigades and Group’s feelings on these topics, as well as gather some information on what type and how they should be allocated, to enable VFBV to form a position on which to advocate to CFA on behalf of all volunteers.
They survey is open to Brigades, Groups and Individuals. (Results will be weighted accordingly)
Feedback or comments are due no later than Sunday 30th September 2018.
The online version of the survey can be completed by going to the following: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VFBVtorchSurvey
A paper copy is also available at the bottom of this page. paper copies can be returned via:
| Email: | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
| Post: | 9/24 Lakeside Drive, Burwood East, VIC 3151 |
| Fax: | (03) 9886 1618 |
A multi-agency project team involving CFA, SES and Ambulance Victoria have launched a survey to gather the views of volunteers on a future supplementary altering system, involving a mobile app.
VFBV supports this survey and project, and encourages all members who would like to compliment their paging service with additional options such as mobile apps to provide feedback via the survey. The survey closes on 31 July 2018.
You can complete the survey by clicking here.
Below is addition details reproduced from the CFA announcement on the 4th July 2018
DCO Gavin Freeman requests your feedback on a proposal to use a smart phone application as a Supplementary Alerting System (SAS). Take the survey before 31 July to have your say.
A Supplementary Alerting System (SAS) Project Team, which includes CFA, EMV, SES and Ambulance Victoria, is working to procure a smart phone application that can provide an additional way for receiving alerting messages.
With the purpose of supplementing the current EAS pager alerting system, the Project Team is seeking feedback from CFA people through this survey.
DCO Gavin Freeman encourages participation in the survey, which will assist in the design of the Supplementary Alerting System.
“We’re aware that many of you are currently using commercially available applications which provide this service, our aim is to procure an application that provides a common platform and is accessible by all our people,” he said.
“By taking part in this survey, you will help the SAS Project Team understand the views of our –people on these high-level requirements and to hear if there are other capabilities which should be included.
“Responses will then be considered for inclusion in the tender request sent to application providers.”
It is planned that tenders will be called for in August, with an application being made available later this year. The survey is being managed by EMV and to ensure the validity of the results, CFA people will be asked for name and member number.
“It is important to note that these will only be used to confirm you are a CFA member when completing the survey. EMV will remove these details from any results supplied to the SAS Project Team, ensuring your feedback remains confidential at all times,” he said.
Gavin emphasised that any new smart phone application would always be a supplement to our pagers.
“Current pagers use a service that guarantees timely delivery of all messages and no telecommunications (phone) provider can give the same assurance. Pagers will continue to be CFA’s primary method of alerting staff and volunteers to emergency calls,” he said.
More...
CFA Proposed Integrity Framework for Consultation
Written by Adam Barnett
CFA have formally requested review and feedback on a CFA's proposed Integrity Framework.
Members are requested to please review and provide feedback on the draft framework available for download at the bottom of this page. Paper copies may also be requested via the VFBV office on (03) 9886 1141.
Any comments, suggested improvements or clarifications would be welcome, as would any concerns, aspirations practical limitations or difficulties members may seek or identify.
Feedback via email, or post would be most preferred, and feedback is welcome from any individual, brigade or group.
As we are expecting wide ranging views on this topic, VFBV is keen to ensure Brigades and Groups have an opportunity to provide feedback and/or comment and encourages any member or individual to provide comment. VFBV District Councils have also been requested to raise via local forums for discussion.
Feedback will be used to help inform VFBV's formal position and feedback to CFA.
How to make feedback
We have allocated our VFBV Policy Support Officer to coordinate and support field feedback. All formal feedback, comments or questions should be directed to Christine Fryer in the first instance, though members are encouraged to discuss their early thoughts with your local District Council Executive and State Councillors to inform local discussions.
Formal Feedback can be sent to:
| Email: | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
| Post: | 9/24 Lakeside Drive, Burwood East VIC 3151 |
| Fax: | (03) 9886 1618 |
Feedback is requested by no later than Monday 20th August 2018 - but much earlier if possible. It would be preferred that members provide feedback ASAP so that it can be received incrementally, allowing enough time to consolidate, identify trends/themes and research issues raised by members in preparation for our response to CFA.
Draft Business Rule - Traditional Social and Digital Media
Written by Adam Barnett
CFA have formally requested review and feedback on a new CFA Business Rule: Traditional, Social and Digital Media
Members are requested to please review and provide feedback on the draft business rule that is availablefor download at the bottom of this page. Paper copies may also be requested via the VFBV office on (03) 9886 1141.
Any comments, suggested improvements or clarifications would be welcome, as would any practical limitations or difficulties members may identify.
Feedback via email, or post would be most preferred, and feedback is welcome from any individual, brigade or group.
As we are expecting wide ranging views on this topic, VFBV is keen to ensure Brigades and Groups have an opportunity to provide feedback and/or comment and encourages any member or individual to provide comment. VFBV District Councils have also been requested to raise via local forums for discussion.
Feedback will be used to help inform VFBV's formal position and feedback to CFA.
How to make feedback
We have allocated a VFBV Support Officer to coordinate and support field feedback. All formal feedback, comments or questions should be directed to Mark Dryden in the first instance, though members are encouraged to discuss their early thoughts with your local District Council Executive and State Councillors to inform local discussions.
Formal Feedback can be sent to:
| Email: | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
| Post: | 9/24 Lakeside Drive, Burwood East VIC 3151 |
| Fax: | (03) 9886 1618 |
Feedback is requested by no later than Monday 20th August 2018 - but much earlier if possible. It would be preferred that members provide feedback ASAP so that it can be received incrementally, allowing enough time to consolidate, identify trends/themes and research issues raised by members in preparation for our response to CFA.
Download Business Rule
A copy of the draft Business Rule is available from CFA Brigades Online and can be downloaded from here: https://cfaonline.cfa.vic.gov.au/mycfa/Show?pageId=displayDoc&docId=030091
Hard copies are available from the VFBV Office to any CFA member and can be requested via (03) 9886 1141 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for a copy.
Volunteer Week Highlights Importance of CFA Brigades
Written by Adam Barnett
CFA volunteers have saved lives and property for decades and while the faces might be changing and the service evolving to meet changing needs, they remain an essential part of our community.
Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria CEO Andrew Ford says the value and professionalism of volunteers make them a vital part of every regional Victorian community.
“The system works remarkably well and is always evolving to meet the growing and changing needs of today’s communities,” he said.
A newly edited video shows how CFA volunteer strength in numbers protects Victoria in times of need. The video demonstrates how volunteer surge capacity defends one of the world's most fire prone areas. It is on YouTube at https://youtu.be/LmgbohOEBwk.
Mr Ford said some people might not appreciate the diversity and professionalism of the modern volunteer system.
“Gone are the days when firefighting was a role for just men,” he said. “Today we have highly experienced and qualified people from all ages, gender, backgrounds and demographics performing front line firefighting roles, operational leadership roles and support roles.
“When we are saving your property or helping in your time of need, you don’t care whether we’re male or female, paid or volunteer, or what our race, religion or sexuality we might be; you just appreciate volunteers are there with their local knowledge, experience, training and professionalism.”
Mr Ford said volunteers also benefit by giving back to their communities, learning new skills, developing leadership qualities and making new friends.
The VFBV continues to encourage everyone to become CFA volunteers to help protect their communities through a broad range of roles.
“As one of the most fire-prone places in the world, Victorians can be confident that with almost 60,000 volunteers and 1000 paid firefighters, we’re professionally trained and equipped for all fire risks and our huge volunteer numbers mean we have the ability to step up and respond anywhere in the state in times of disaster,” he said.
“Volunteer Week is the perfect time to recognise and thank volunteers for their dedication, professionalism and commitment, and to thank the people, families and employers who work with and support us, and the communities who have confidence in what we do and know how vitally important CFA is.
“Particular thanks goes to all of our CFA volunteers, to volunteers across other emergency agencies and to the many volunteers who provide valuable and dedicated services across a whole range of community needs – well done, celebrate your efforts with a deep sense of pride. You are the spirit and foundation of community.”
People interested in volunteering can contact their local brigade.
The issue of Brigade and Group allowances is regularly raised with VFBV delegates as a matter of concern amongst members. As a result, State Council has recently decided to survey all Brigades and Groups to determine if current allowances are adequate.
A copy of the Annual Allowance Survey has been posted to all Brigade and Group Secretaries with this quarters VFBV mail-out.
By inviting all Brigades and Groups to participate, we will be able to consolidate volunteer’s views on this issue, both at the local and State level as well as collect evidence to support any future advocacy on this important matter.
We would appreciate your response no later than Monday 6th August. You can either Post, email or fax your response to:
Mail: 9/24 Lakeside Drive, Burwood East VIC 3151
` Fax: (03) 9886 1618
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Whilst the preferred questions will only take a few minutes to answer, we urge you to consider spending some time on the detailed optional questions or consider attaching your annual budget. The requested detailed information will be critical to our ability to advocate from a strong evidence-based position. All individual Brigade and Group responses will be strictly confidential and will not be provided to CFA or anyone else without your express permission. All data will be aggregated and de-identified to protect your privacy.
Thank-you in advance for your participation, and if you have any questions or wish to discuss please feel free to contact your local State Councillor, a VFBV Support Officer or the VFBV office on (03) 9886 1141.
