VFBV

VFBV delegates and officials are working with affected Brigades to access support available through the VFBV Welfare Fund. With the large number of members directly impacted, we are expecting high demand.

About

CFA Volunteer Fireifghter's devote their time to help others but sometimes can find themselves in difficult financial crisis. Unforseen emergencies such as loss of work, family illness &/or death, accidental injury or even drought, can place significant financial burden on volunteers. The fund has been established to assist in ensuring the ongoing health and welfare of Volunteer members and their families experiencing significant financial hardship.

How will the funds be used?

Support the ongoing health and welfare of Country Fire Authority Volunteer members, past members and their dependants, experiencing personal financial hardship/crisis by providing welfare grants, on a needs assessed basis, that may assist in alleviating stresses impacting on the individual's ability to maintain their involvement as a Volunteer.

The fund works as a capital fund and provides small welfare grants, on a needs basis, that may assist in alleviating stresses impacting on the individuals' ability to maintain their involvement as a volunteer. The funds provides assistance to: Members, their Families and eligible past members.

History

The Fund began its long history of helping volunteers in need in 1913, when it was first established by urban volunteers as the VUFBA Welfare Fund.

On 1 November 2008, the newly formed Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria, with generous support from the Victorian Government, launched the VFBV Welfare Fund and extended that offer of support to all CFA volunteers.

Over the years, the Fund has helped close to 1,200 volunteers, with more than $1.8 million in grants, and today more than 1,000 CFA Brigades subscribe to the Fund each year.

For the 2018/2019 financial year, the VFBV Welfare Fund distributed a total of $96,735 to assist 30 volunteers in need.

The Fund offers small grants to CFA volunteers, long serving former volunteers and their families, who are experiencing significant financial hardship.  Typical cases involve prolonged illness, bereavement, loss of earnings, or the accommodation and travel costs associated with supporting a relative in hospital.

The Welfare Fund is run under Australian Tax Office rules, independently audited, uses only State Government approved investments, and the welfare grant and investment decisions are made by a committee of long serving CFA volunteers.

Investments are managed to provide an enduring fund that has existed since 1913 and ensures volunteers now and in the future are protected by fund income that outperforms inflation and minimises annual brigade subscriptions for each member brigade. 

To subscribe to the Welfare Fund, Brigades must be affiliated with VFBV, which covers the operating costs so that 100% of any money the Fund receives is used entirely to help volunteers in need. 

Donate

People wishing to donate to the Welfare Fund they can do so by:

Online donations can be done via GiveNow: https://www.givenow.com.au/vfbv 

Or Direct Deposits can be sent to the following account:

If you email details of your deposit to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. a receipt can be arranged.

Volunteer Time is Priceless 

By Adam Barnett, VFBV Chief Executive Officer 

The anniversary of February 7 2009 stands as a stark reminder that our fire season still has a way to go yet. Each year we pause and reflect on the 173 precious citizens who were tragically lost during those fires.

The anniversary is a reminder of our collective promises to them and all fellow Victorian’s that we will do everything we can to ensure our communities are best prepared for future disasters.

In the words of the Bushfires Royal Commission’s final report “The lives of many Victorians were changed forever, and many showed they are capable of deeds of great courage and compassion. Although some communities were physically destroyed, their members also displayed ingenuity, strength and resolve in the face of this calamity.”

While public and media attention to this year’s fires have started to wane, the fact is we still have a lot of fire in the landscape and will for some time. As at writing, Victoria has seven going bushfires, two contained and 48 under control, with a total area burnt so far this season currently more than 1.5 million hectares.

And while we are only potentially halfway through the Fire Season, I want to continue my call for everyone to keep looking out for one another and to ensure our commitments are sustainable. If you are over committed and things are getting on top of you – please talk to someone ASAP.

If you or your Brigade keep getting approached for deployment, unless someone has said something – the system is likely to just keep tapping you until something is said. One of my priorities following this season will be to speak with State Council about pulling together some interested vols to think about how we can design some more robust human resource availability and utilisation tracking systems.

As many of the current CFA systems are localised they have the potential to be disjointed. As such it is often very easy to keep hitting the same brigades or groups over and over and lose track of how fairly (or not) the load is being shared across our Statewide network of Brigades. For every brigade that has approached me about over utilisation, another has raised the fact that they haven’t been asked to provide any resources at all.

If this is happening to you, please don’t just suffer in silence. Make contact with your Captain or Group Officer and nudge it up the chain. I have seen some really good planning to try and buddy up Districts so that calls for resources are evenly rotated across Regions, but unless brigades are reporting under or over utilisation issues – some of the micromanagement issues might be being lost.

And when it comes to people’s time – your time - there is no more precious resource, and it must be respected far more than it is now.

Your time is not free, and it is absolutely not worthless. At the risk of sounding like a Mastercard advertisement – every second a volunteer is giving should be treated as if it were priceless. We must ensure line managers and incident management teams respect the time that volunteers are donating to the State – and recognise that many of you are making significant sacrifices in order to deploy.

Sacrifices you make willingly, but none the less your time and sacrifice deserves to be respected and managed well, with full accountabilities and transparency. Volunteer time must be respected and must be managed like the precious resource that it is. And utilisation doesn’t stop at activation.

Ensuring volunteer time is being used for best community effect and benefit. Ensuring crews on deployment have meaningful roles that are well planned, communicated and understood by all crews. Ensuring briefings and incident action plans are prepared in advance and delivered to crews on time. Ensuring meals and accommodation are well planned and coordinated. Ensuring travel arrangements are safe and effective and well-coordinated and supported.

These are all important ways to show respect for the incredible volunteer contribution underway.

BUDDY BRIGADES

I would like to encourage brigades to consider buddying up with a brigade from the fire affected areas. This isn’t charity – it’s about reminding brigades that we are all in this together, and no matter how tough it gets, we’ll look after each other and be there during thick and thin. In fact, the information exchange that occurs through buddy brigades from different Districts or Regions can be incredibly rewarding for each.

The concept of buddy brigades has been around for a while and mirrors the concept of cities or towns linking up to create ‘brother/sister’ cities or ‘twin towns.’ This concept was made popular following the second Word War and back then was intended to foster friendship and understanding among different cultures and between former foes to build peace.

In the CFA context it is about brigades linking up with brigades from different areas and fostering some friendship and linkages that extends far beyond traditional connections like group or district. The more diverse the brigade differences the better. Each brigade learns from the other, and you’d be surprised how alike and how different all at the same time each of our brigades can be.

In the current context, it is about partnering with a brigade that may have been heavily impacted by this season’s fires, with a brigade that hasn’t. Brigades can then form a special relationship between them.

What this looks like is completely up to you.

Some run joint training that gives brigades the opportunity to travel and catch up with people from different Districts. Others arrange working bees or exchanges of members for small ‘holidays’ away from home. Some are able to arrange fundraising opportunities that allows a more resource rich brigade to help a smaller more isolated one.

And smaller brigades can share their unique community connections or local produce/ crafts with perhaps more metropolitan brigades that perhaps don’t have those very personal connections that are inherent in smaller and more isolated brigades.

The point is for each brigade to provide something unique that allows each to learn from the other. They are equals and are partners. They are sharing their experience and their community with the other. Maybe it’s only once or twice a year – but it’s the connection that matters.

If you have an interest, discuss it over with your Captain. Captains - pick up the phone and have a chat with a local Group Officer or District Council from a fire affected area and see what you can find. The more organic the matching process is - the better.

But if you run into a complete brick wall, phone the VFBV office or drop us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we’ll do our best to help you out.

Be creative but also please respect that some brigades are still under very high operational workloads and might just want some space to get through the current season.

MEMBER RECOVERY & WELFARE

VFBV Support Officers and District Councils in the fire affected areas are working to identify any CFA volunteers who have lost their homes, stock, fencing, outbuildings, machinery or anything else that will impact on that members livelihood.

Connecting members up with grants and recovery services is a priority as well as topping up or providing additional grants to bridge any gaps from our welfare fund or our volunteer support and recovery trust. If you have been impacted, or you know someone who has been, please get in touch with your local VFBV Support Officer or District Council as soon as possible so we can assist you immediately.

Stay safe and keep your heads up. Rest when you can, and look out for one another. You are all doing incredible work and we are all so incredibly proud of you all and the amazing role and contribution you are making to your communities. 

Fire Wise Quarterly Supplement 

February's edition of Fire Wise also contained the latest edition of the VFBV Quarterly Supplement. 

The Quarterly Supplement contains 16 pages of important news and updates, and includes links to additional resources and updates that are available via our website. 

An electronic copy of the Quarterly Supplement can be downloaded here. 

Brigade Captains and Secretaries, Group Officers and Group Secretaries as well as VFBV delegates are requested to please take the time to read this and future editions, and to table at your meetings for the benefit and knowledge of your members. 

VFBV District Councils are collecting feedback and leading discussions on several important items for consultation. Brigades and Groups are encouraged to consult and provide feedback to VFBV District Council's as soon as possible.   

State Champs Under 18's

CFA and VFBV have worked together to implement a new registration process for any competitor under the age of 18 taking part in this year’s Horsham or Mooroopna State Championships.

CFA will require all parents and guardians of any person under the age of 18 to provide parental consent and supply relevant personal and medical information of their child, utilising the secure online platform CareMonkey.

Parents and Guardians of junior members participating in this year’s State Championships should have been sent a link by CFA via email which will take them to the required online form to complete. Simply click on the link, create a profile (if you don’t have one already) and fill out the form. FAQs are available on Brigades Online. If you have not received the link please contact CFA via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Workwear Tender Delay 

VFBV was advised by CFA last year that the tender for the new volunteer workwear was finally due to go to market just prior to Christmas. We have now been advised that this did not occur, and work is underway to release it shortly. We are obviously disappointed with another delay but will keep members apprised of progress and continue to encourage progress.

In other news, CFA has advised that prototypes are due to be completed by the end of this month that will enable them to be displayed at future meetings and events.    

16/17 year old operational firefighters 

A reminder that the views of members on the continued use of 16- and 17-year old’s as operational members is being sought. With the law classifying any member under the age of 18 as a child, members are requested to discuss and make submission on whether the minimum age for operational activities should be changed or if there are further steps that can be taken to protect and improve the safety of children participating in CFA activities.

Brigades, Groups and members are encouraged to discuss at their local District Council meetings, and all members including juniors, parents, fellow brigade members and leaders are encouraged to consider making submission so that all perspectives can be understood and considered.

Information on how to make a submission can be found on the VFBV website, or by contacting your local State Councillor, VFBV Support Officer or District Council Executive member.

Replacement PPC

A reminder that State Council has resolved a zero-tolerance approach to any members being refused replacement PPC due to budget constraints or other factors.

Any member who has been denied replacement PPC are to log the incident in CFA Safe and approach your local District Council who will then escalate with CFA as a matter of priority.

All operational members are entitled to have PPC that is fit for purpose and in good working condition. When approaching District Council, members are requested to have a record of who has denied the request, and as much date and detail information as possible so that appropriate action can be taken.

Any rejected applications for replacement PPC should be requested in writing, and best endeavour used to escalate internally for resolution first.

In most cases VFBV officials have been able to resolve the issue quickly and at the local level to the satisfaction of the member involved.

Brigade Officers are encouraged to report any instances where members have not been provided appropriate replacement items within reasonable timeframes.

Spirit of CFA Awards 

Due to the high level of operational activity the deadline for nominations has again been extended to Sunday 1st March 2020. With some of the incredible stories coming from this year’s fire season, this is a terrific opportunity to recognise those people you think make an incredible contribution to CFA.

More information, the criteria for the awards and the process for nomination can be found at www.cfa.vic.gov.au/spiritofcfa

Reform Update 

VFBV issued a News Note Update #3 on the 4th February. This update includes important information on current status of the Governments Fire Services Reform and current areas we are seeking feedback and comment on to help inform VFBV views.

VFBV is also seeking feedback and validation on updated FRV Boundary maps that have been sent to affected brigades. The boundaries should match the current CFA assignment areas of each of CFA’s current integrated brigades. If your Brigade borders a CFA Integrated Brigade and therefore is likely to be impacted by the new FRV boundary, Brigade Captains or Secretaries can contact Mark Dryden (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) for a copy of the proposed map if you haven’t received it. CFA has advised that it has provided maps to all affected brigades.

Our News Note update is available from the VFBV website, or follow the link provided on the cover page of the VFBV Quarterly Supplement that is included with this month’s Fire Wise.

Asbestos Reminder 

VFBV has come across instances where members’ PPC, suspected of being contaminated with asbestos, is still being delayed for laundering.

Brigades are reminded that following strong and sustained VFBV advocacy back in 2017, that CFA changed its laundering processes to a more streamlined process that ensures faster turnaround times. Members should refer to Operations Bulletin 004/2017 for details. In essence, all PPC suspected of being contaminated by asbestos should be bagged and tagged correctly as detailed in this bulletin, and then sent immediately to CFA’s new structural PPC laundering contractor (IDS) to be decontaminated and laundered in one process.

There is no need to delay sending PPC until analytical test results confirm the presence of asbestos or not. Each District has its own contractual arrangement to safely courier the gear to the laundry (as TOLL cannot be used for suspected asbestos) and this should be activated through the RDO.

A reminder that Bushfire PPC is not microchipped, so members should ensure their name is on each item of clothing sent for laundry to assist with the matchup process at the end.

CFA 2020 Draft Strategy Brouchure Consultation 

CFA has released a draft vision brochure that is intended to refine CFA’s identity following the move to becoming a fully volunteer organisation in July this year.

VFBV encourages members to read the draft, and provide feedback and comment.

Members can access the draft via the CFA member logon portal via: https://www.members.cfa.vic.gov.au/mycfa/Show?pageId=ourCFAstrategy   

The Brochure combines CFA's Vision and Mission, its Strategic Goals and the brand and narrative work that has been in development over the past year, into a draft document for discussion.

It has been informed by the many conversations and workshops about CFA's long-term strategy, narrative and brand. CFA is keen to share its thinking and, importantly, get feedback from our people – as this represents our future direction.

Feedback can be made via the above link, with the menu option on the left-hand side when that page opens up. Click on "Provide your Feedback".

If you would prefer to provide feedback via a different mechanism, please feel free to send it though to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we’ll pass it directly on.

2020 State Championships 

Urban Juniors – Horsham, 22 and 23 February

Urban Seniors – Mooroopna, 28 and 29 March

Rural Seniors – Mooroopna, 28 March

Rural Juniors – Mooroopna, 29 March

Entry forms for the State Rural Senior and Junior Championships are due by 28th February 2020, and are available from the VFBV website or VFBV office.

Although entries for the State Urban Senior Championships were due 1st December 2019, late entries will be accepted – please contact the VFBV office.

VFBV encourages all Brigades and members to participate - as spectators, team supporters or competitors. There are events for all size teams, from one or two competitors up to eight competitors - and for all ages, genders and abilities.

For Brigades new to competitions needing further information or assistance, please contact your District VFBV Support Officer or the VFBV office.     

Victoria’s emergency service women will be acknowledged on International Women’s Day at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Final at the MCG, on Sunday 8 March 2020.

A bay at the MCG has been reserved so that people from across the emergency services sector can sit together for this unique opportunity.

Women from the emergency services in Victoria will be acknowledged as part of the pre-game entertainment. Along with entry to the game, Katy Perry will be providing pre-and post-game entertainment which is included in all tickets.

Tickets for seats in the emergency services bay can be booked until 17 February 2020 via this link http://bit.ly/EMSFINAL2020 (this link is specifically for seating in the emergency services bay and can be used by anyone in the sector to book tickets for themselves, friends and family.) Tickets start at $5.00 for children and $20 for adults.

FIRE SERVICES REFORM MEMBER UPDATE # 3 / 3 FEBRUARY 2019

This News Note supplements the previous two updates provided on the 11th September 2019, 1st November 2019 and our updates via Firewise and newsletters.

Presumptive Legislation 

The Presumptive Rights Compensation part of the Bill became active immediately following the Bills Royal Assent on the 2nd July 2019.

VFBV continues to seek information and clarity around the application process, the assessment process and how results will be reported. This has been slower than expected.

VFBV continues to progress the following issues:

- A clear application process that provides targeted support for the sick firefighter. VFBV continues to raise its concerns around the poor application process, confusing forms and lack of information pack and targeted support for sick firefighters presenting to the process.

- VFBV has raised its concerns with the level of assessment being conducted by the Advisory Panel for volunteer claims. The commitment provided by Government and Parliamentarians was for an easy “tick and flick” type process to simply determine if a volunteer was operational or not. Early indications are the Advisory Panel is requesting very detailed information about the activity levels of volunteer applications (which do not apply to career firefighters) to assess the “reasonably extent necessary” portion of the legislation. We will continue to investigate and monitor.

- We are in discussions with Government and Worksafe about how to report on the results of cases presented to the Advisory Panel. Early indications are the majority of cases have been supported. We are seeking a process for public reporting of results, while maintaining individual confidentially.

Government are facilitating additional meetings between VFBV and Worksafe to resolve these issues over the coming weeks, and we will update members on progress.

Strategic Governance

The VFBV Reference Group continues to monitor the strategic governance layer. Members of the group have raised concerns with the slower than expected progress and lack of detail that has been available for consultation. The group is seeking better reporting of actions underway by the Agency Coordination & Transition Group, as well as the working parties in order to better understand current progress. Anxiety is building that timelines are becoming very tight and very little time will be left to openly consult and engage before the deadlines for decisions.

Despite slow progress, our assessment is this is largely due to the under-estimation of the complexity of some of the arrangements that will need to be in place to support aspects of reform, as well as operational workload that has impacted agency resources to progress certain work parcels. VFBV does not underestimate the difficulty in trying to align the expectations of all the different stakeholders and is working constructively with EMV and Government to find solutions to better support open engagement and consultation, however we continue to express the feelings of members that very little information is actually available to discuss and engage on.
VFBV will continue to advocate for enough time to consult with volunteers on issues prior to decisions being made, and arrangements that facilitate this approach.

Engagement

VFBV continues to express its position that strong engagement and communication with the field is required to keep members engaged and involved in discussions, and the lack of communications and field engagement is significantly impacting on morale.

In positive news, CFA have responded by advising they are now scheduling targeted engagement sessions for each affected Integrated Brigade and any Group that contains an Integrated Brigade in their catchment. The sessions will occur between the 3rd February and the 3rd March. These sessions will cover;

- an overall Fire Services reform update

- a workshop on the future CFA

- a question and answer session.

VFBV supports these engagement activities and encourages volunteers to be involved. CFA has provided a schedule of current visits which are attached at the bottom of this page. We will continue to help promote the dates and times as we become aware of them. If members could please provide feedback to State Councillors and VFBV Support Officers as to how these sessions go and if you are receiving the information you need and opportunity for feedback and comment.


Appliance Allocation

VFBV has been requested to provide feedback on a draft set of principles for appliance allocation between CFA and FRV. These principles only apply to appliances located at Integrated Brigades and the two staff only CFA Brigades. In principle, VFBV has indicated support for;

- Any primary appliance which is currently crewed under Schedule 1 of the EBA is to be transferred to FRV. (This reflects current practice at the majority of Integrated Brigades.)

- If an appliance does not have fulltime crew allocated to it, then it will remain with CFA. (This supports the Unions ban on cross-crewing of appliances.)

- All Brigade owned vehicles at integrated locations will remain with CFA

- All ground observing vehicles and forward command vehicles will be retained by CFA

VFBV has requested that each Brigade be individually engaged to assess what equipment is stowed on each appliance being transferred from CFA to FRV. Where equipment has been purchased by Brigades or through volunteer grants that are above standard stowage and are currently on an appliance to be transferred to FRV, VFBV has advocated for a discussion to occur between the Brigade and the career staff to determine the fairest way to allocate the equipment. We have suggested that Brigades should have the option of choosing to donate the equipment, agree to a formal sharing arrangement, or seek replacement/reimbursement. VFBV has requested that the senior volunteer at each integrated brigade should be provided a formal opportunity to dispute any allocation – prior to Ministerial sign-off.

CFA has indicated its support for the BA Vans at Ballarat, Bendigo, Corio and Frankston to also be transferred to FRV. VFBV has indicated that it does not support this position until we have had an opportunity to engage with each of the Brigades affected. This work is currently underway.

If members wish to provide any comment or feedback on these draft principles, if you could please discuss with your local State Councillor or VFBV Support Officer so that your feedback can be considered. Districts Councils will also be encouraged to provide opportunities for discussion at upcoming meetings.

In related news, CFA has provided preliminary information on its proposal to explore a different support arrangement for the supply and refilling of BA cylinders. VFBV has requested additional information in order to establish formal communication and consultation with the field. As soon as this information has been received, VFBV District Councils will be notified and volunteer feedback requested.

Building and Equipment Allocation Statements

EMV has indicated that it wishes to commence the process to identify the building and equipment allocation statement that needs to be prepared for presentation to the Minister.

VFBV has requested a respectful and inclusive process be established that will ensure:

- that volunteers have an opportunity to be present during station visits when asset registers are being reviewed or discussed

- that volunteers have an opportunity to dispute any assets proposed to be transferred to FRV prior to Ministerial sign-off

- that an appeal process be established to resolve any instances where volunteers disagree with CFA’s determination and that any issues remaining unresolved be communicated to the Minister prior to sign-off.

VFBV is also advocating through the Reference Group that integrated Brigades be directly engaged as soon as possible to discuss a Tenancy Agreement. Under the legislation, current CFA Integrated Brigades will be transferred to FRV, with CFA becoming the tenant at those locations where a CFA Brigade will be co-located within what will become a FRV building. It is VFBV’s view that these arrangements need to be documented and agreed well before the July 2020 deadline, in order to allow enough time for genuine discussions and consultation to occur.

Agreement should be reached on arrangements for:

- Continued volunteer access to stations and station amenities

- FOB access to all appropriate shared area’s and facilities

- Arrangements to share access or the use of designated equipment

- How volunteer amenities and spaces will be maintained

- Commitments to ensure volunteer areas, equipment, storage and access are preserved during future station modifications

- Commitment on engine room layout and reserved area’s for appliances

During discussions with many Brigades, it has become clear that a brigade’s comfort level with the proposed reforms are significantly influenced by how they see current arrangements working, and their assumption that things are likely to continue as they are now.

VFBV encourages brigades to document the principles that Brigades feel are important to how they currently interact with integrated brigades. If things have worked well, it is important to document those arrangements so that;

a) they are understood and shared with new personnel or shift changes and;

b) principles can be articulated for inclusion in future doctrine or memorandums of understanding to ensure these arrangements continue in the future

Fire Equipment Maintenance

VFBV has received enquiries from FEM brigades following CFA’s communique to Integrated Brigades last week indicating that FEM boundaries and arrangements remain unknown.

VFBV has been a strong advocate for the continuation of FEM activity for CFA brigades operating in the FRV District.

VFBV was successful in having amendments introduced to the legislation that amended the original 2017 version of the Bill. In the original Bill the power to conduct FEM activities which is provided under the CFA Act s20AA(2)(b) was not included. This power was added via amendment to section 77 which adds a new section 20AB into the CFA Act which outlines what powers a CFA Brigade located in the FRV district can exercise. The amendment adds power s20AA(2)(b) back into the legislation for brigades located within FRV Districts.

It is VFBV’s position based on extensive historical discussion with Government and Minister on the issue of FEM, that arrangements for CFA FEM to operate within the FRV District will remain unchanged to how it works now. It is VFBV’s understanding that the reason for present confusion is that technically the CFA must obtain written consent of the Minister before it can exercise this power. While this is correct, VFBV has no reason to believe that this consent will be withheld, and believes this has not yet occurred simply because the Minister is not able to provide that consent until FRV actually exists.

VFBV will continue to monitor and is pursuing written confirmation of these arrangements.

Fire Rescue Victoria Boundary Maps

On Friday last week, VFBV advised members that VFBV has been provided maps from EMV showing the planned Fire Rescue Victoria boundaries, and requesting VFBV comment. These maps were included in the original 2017 legislation, but require updating to reflect the current boundaries and several staff locations that did not exist at the time of the original 2017 legislation.

The maps are required to define the new FRV District, due to the way the legislation operates. At present, the Metropolitan Fire District is gazetted though maps provided to the Central Planning Office and lodged as part of the MFB Act, with the CFA legislation then determining that any area outside this gazetted metropolitan fire district is defined as ‘the country area of Victoria’ for the purposes of defining CFA areas.

The new legislation operates on a similar basis. FRV areas must be gazetted through plans lodged and appended to the FRV Act, and then all areas outside those are defined as the country area of Victoria.

VFBV has been advised by CFA that;

- These maps mirror CFA’s Assignment areas for each of the current integrated locations

-  Any changes that have occurred to CFA assignment areas since the legislation was first drafted has been through CFA’s internal approval process and consultation stages with affected Brigades, including Brigade signoff

- The largest changes will be to those integrated brigades that didn’t exist back in 2017 – and maps for these locations are therefore new – but again modelled on current CFA response boundaries – with the exception of staff only locations which have operated on a hub and spoke support basis.

VFBV has advised EMV that it will seek consultation on the maps with impacted brigades prior to making comment. This upholds VFBV’s principle that local Brigades will know their areas better than anyone, and the only way for the maps to be verified is to provide those affected brigades an opportunity to comment.

VFBV has committed to consulting with impacted Brigades prior to providing feedback and is now awaiting confirmation that the maps are current and available. Brigades should only need to look at a map if their current response boundary currently abuts a CFA integrated brigade.

We are told there has been no change to the MFB boundary.

With the exception of the new maps for Latrobe and Lucas – given all other areas have been based on current assignment areas this process should be fairly unremarkable. CFA has also committed to providing the maps for consultation, and we’ll advise as soon as they are ready.

Upcoming Consultation 

CFA has indicated it is preparing for targeted consultation with integrated Brigades around:

- What a viable co-located Brigade will look like and how can they be supported to remain effective and sustainable

- The appropriate Brigade classification and Brigade Operational Skills Profiles for a CFA Brigade operating within an FRV area without a primary area

- Future Community Safety and Community Education roles within the FRV District

- Election of Brigade Captains for former Integrated Brigades

- What support is required for the brigade during the transition period

VFBV continues to encourage volunteers to participate in these sessions, as well as encouraging volunteers to continue discussions amongst themselves to document and discuss how you want the future to look.

VFBV will continue to monitor and is available to provide any support or assistance required. VFBV Support Officers and State Councillors are staying in regular contact with each integrated brigade 1st Lieutenants to offer any assistance or support requested. Several District Councils have also arranged targeted engagement with their integrated brigades to help workshop and discuss idea’s on future operating models.

If Brigades require any additional contact or support, members are encouraged to contact a VFBV Support Officer who will arrange appropriate escalation from either the local level or State to further support the brigade.

Consultative Pathways Reminder 

VFBV facilitates numerous regular state and local consultation forums and engagement activities to ensure that the views of volunteers are known and represented. Through a state-wide network of twenty-one District Councils and elected volunteer representatives, VFBV maintains direct links with grass roots volunteers over their issues, needs and concerns.

District Council members play a key role in being a direct connection between CFA and volunteers, as well as providing advice at a District/Regional level on a wide range of issues affecting volunteers. The District Council will take forward issues and opportunities to help influence policies at the local levels. Members are reminded to stay engaged and connected with your local District Councils, and for members to explore local solutions for local problems.

The role of District Councils is to:

i. Provide a forum for affiliated brigades to express volunteer concerns/views.
ii. Help brigades resolve matters of concern at the local level.
iii. Provide volunteer leadership and represent volunteers at CFA District and Regional level.
iv. Provide a conduit for communication and information flow between the Association Board, State Council and brigades/groups.
v. Refer matters that cannot be resolved at the local level to the State Council or CEO.