News 
Formal consultation has commenced on a draft CFA Policy covering the use of Alcohol and other drugs.
The proposed draft policy is available for download from the bottom of this page.
For the purposes of consultation, CFA has advised that this policy:
• Applies to employees and volunteers equally
• Aims to ensure the ongoing health and safety of CFA members around alcohol and other drugs
• Has no requirement for alcohol or drug testing
• Provides all members with clear guidelines for acceptable practices in relation to the legal and responsible consumption of alcohol at CFA activities and events
• Provides guidance for members taking prescription or over the counter drugs that may adversely affect or impair their ability to perform duties safely
• Provides information for drug and alcohol counselling and support services
Members are encouraged to review the draft policy and provide any feedback/suggestions/amendments including indicating support/non-support for the proposed policy.
In particular, VFBV is keen to hear volunteer views on:
• The arrangements for a 'responsible officer' to be appointed and present during the consumption of alcohol
• The ability for new brigades to apply for a liquor licence (community club or BYO licence) will not be permitted once this policy comes into effect
• Is the general policy advice and language easy to understand and follow
Feedback can be provided by individuals, brigades and groups.
All feedback is used to inform and influence formal VFBV positions as well as used to influence CFA positions and thinking during the deliberative process. If we need to use your feedback to demonstrate or illustrate the views of members, your personal details will not be shared with CFA, and feedback will always be de-identified to protect your privacy.
We encourage members not to wait until deadlines to provide feedback, but rather provide it as early as possible which will give us a chance to conduct further research that may assist us being able to advocate more strongly for your desired outcome.
Feedback is due by Monday 8th May, 2023.
All members are welcome and encouraged to provide feedback. If you have any questions, please contact your local State Councillor or VFBV Support Officer in the first instance.
How to provide feedback:
It would be preferred that members provide feedback ASAP, so that it can be received incrementally, allowing us enough time to consolidate, identify trends and research issues raised by members.
Feedback can be provided via:
- Emailing to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Complete a short survey via CFA Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy (zohopublic.com.au)
- Your local VFBV District Council or your local VFBV Support Officer
- By Post: 9/24 Lakeside Drive, Burwood East VIC 3151
- By Fax: (03) 9886 1618
Feedback does not need to be long or detailed, but if you do have the time to make substantive comment that is always welcome.
If you generally support a principle or policy, then a quick note letting us know would also be helpful. Similarly, let us know if you do not support it, or which aspects of it you don't support.
Where indicating non-support, it would be helpful to understand the key reasons why, and even a couple of brief bullet points would be adequate. Likewise, if you would prefer to provide a more detailed response, or mark-up and suggest changes to the documents, that is welcome also.
Your feedback will assist us form a VFBV position and response to the proposed changes and help us advocate on behalf of CFA volunteers. Please consider getting involved, and providing us your feedback ASAP.
Please remember to provide feedback in support as well as against. If we only hear from those who are against, it can be harder to determine the general comfort level of members with the proposals.
