VFBV

We are again saddened to advise that a NSW volunteer firefighter has this evening lost their life in the line of duty fighting a fire near Jingrllic, south west NSW, close to the Victorian border. A further two other firefighters were injured in the same truck and are being conveyed to hospital with serious burns.

The firefighters were working on the Green Valley, Talmalmo Fire, approximately 70km east of Albury when it’s believed that the truck rolled when hit by extreme winds associated with the fire. A second vehicle working in the same area was also blown over and the firefighter on board has been transported to hospital.

Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the families, loved ones and peers during this sad time.

On behalf of VFBV, CFA volunteers and all members we express our deepest sorrow and pass on our heartfelt thoughts and prayers. We mourn alongside our NSW firefighter brethren for this devastating loss.

NSW RFS are establishing a dedicated bank account to collect donations for the families, and I will advise of further details in due course.

With hundreds of firefighters still battling out of control blazes across NSW and Victoria as the wind change continues to move through causing havoc this evening, our thoughts are with all our crews and their safety.

Adam Barnett, Chief Executive Officer
Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria

UPDATED: 4th January 2020
SPECIAL Op-Ed Published in Herald Sun, 3rd January 2020

VOLUNTEERS NEED TARGETED AID AND NOT JUST HANDOUTS

Our CFA volunteers are among the best firefighters in the world. Every day they put their communities first, from highly complex bushfires to specialist response and structural firefighting in highly urbanised areas.

They are well trained, well exercised and are sought after across the country for their knowledge and experience. They are true professionals in every sense of the word, only as volunteers they do it without pay.

As their peak representative body, my organisation welcomes and appreciates the Federal Government’s intention to provide financial support for volunteer firefighters. But we are worried that this initiative is misplaced and may have unintended and lasting consequences. There are far better ways to support volunteers, reimburse expenses and support their employers and their communities.

What we want is for the federal minister David Littleproud, state minister Lisa Neville and our CFA volunteer representatives to work together to ensure state and federal government support and assistance can be tailored and targeted to best support our incredible volunteer firefighters in Victoria. 

Volunteers are proud to be volunteers; that is the ethos they live by every day. They work, train and deploy out of love for their communities. Their bravery and selflessness lie at the very heart of the enormous respect for and trust in them.

Volunteers, their families, employers and friends all pitch in to support emergency management volunteers, financially and in kind. We work as a team with like-minded volunteers before, during and after disaster strikes.

The volunteer ethos defends millions of Australians, protecting lives and property from the ravages of fire and other emergencies, year after year. And if we look after it well, it will continue to do so long after this fire season is over. Therefore, it is vital we support and protect it in a way that does not undermine the very system and thinking on which we rely.

Long after announcements of new schemes, it is those on the ground who then have to make it work. Saddling brigades and volunteers with additional administrative bureaucracy while they sort out who should and shouldn’t receive payment is an unwelcome distraction.

Instead, it is time we recognise and respect the incredible contribution that all emergency volunteers make to our communities. The most common complaint I hear is about the unfairness of CFA volunteers having to pay for a fire services levy that funds the very service they are providing to the state for free. Adding insult to injury is the expectation they then must fundraise for essential trucks and equipment to make up the difference between what the government funds and what they actually need to keep us all safe. Long-term investment in more fire trucks, equipment, personal protective equipment and clothing is needed desperately.

And from a Commonwealth perspective, how about recognising emergency management volunteers as a special occupation that would allow any personal expenses incurred during the year to be tax deductible just as employees can claim them now. In Victoria alone, the CFA volunteer contribution is valued at more than $1 billion dollars a year. Why not recognise part of that contribution as a tax-deductible donation?

And let’s not forget the employers and business sector who are often among the unsung heroes during these massive campaigns. Many employers continue to cover wages for many of their staff deployed as volunteers, not just for fire but in relief and recovery. The establishment of federal emergency service leave that would allow employers to claim for additional entitlements for their employees to take leave during declared emergencies would inject much needed support to grow and sustain Australia’s proud and enduring volunteer movement.

Our message is simple. We are not saying no to additional financial support. We are grateful for it. But please give CFA volunteers the courtesy and respect of involving them in the decision and working with us to deliver a more appropriate package that respects and protects our members and the precious volunteer ethos that Victoria relies upon.

Adam Barnett, Chief Executive Officer
Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV)

ORIGINAL STATEMENT: POSTED 29TH DECEMBER 2019

29^th December 2019                                                  

STATEMENT FROM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER ADAM BARNETT
COMMONWEALTH PAYMENTS TO VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS

The Federal Government have today announced a scheme to compensate NSW volunteer firefighters with payments of $300 for volunteer service exceeding 7 days up to a maximum of 20. Other State’s are allegedly being told they can also join the scheme, which is to be funded through a Federal Government/State Government co-payment.

VFBV is not in favour of volunteers receiving income for their voluntary firefighting service.

If benefits and payments to volunteers are expected by individuals, the spirit of volunteerism could be destroyed. Such an argument ultimately leads us to the retained fire-fighter model where members are paid an allowance to attend fires and where as a result, volunteers cease to become true volunteers and become employees. As demonstrated in other State’s a consequence of the retained fire-fighter model is that volunteer numbers would decrease over time which would reduce the number of trained fire fighters available throughout the state. As one of the most fire prone places on earth, the Victorian model gives us the benefit of immense volunteer surge capacity and contingent capability larger than the Australian defence forces to deal with large scale, long duration concurrent fires.

Volunteers are proud to be volunteers. They do what they do out of love for their communities and as a way of giving back. Their bravery and selflessness lie at the very heart of the enormous respect and trust that the community has for them. And while we are deeply humbled that the public may support volunteers being paid for what they do, it is fundamentally against everything we stand for. It is for this reason that CFA and other emergency service volunteers have such a special and honoured place in the Victorian public’s hearts.

From a national perspective, there are around 6 million volunteers in Australia, with over 500,000 in the emergency management sector, and over half of those being involved in fire and rescue services.

Volunteering Australia defines volunteering as “time willingly given for the common good and without financial gain.”

The United Nations defines volunteering as “‘An action carried out voluntarily, according to an individual’s own free will, not undertaken for financial reward nor stipulated by law, contract or academic requirement, and done for the common good.” (UN 2011:3-4).

VFBV supports this definition and our fundamental view is there should be no payment to volunteers for their service as volunteering one's time is a gift to the volunteer's community. When income is attached, the service is no longer given freely, and it is no longer volunteering.

Results from VFBV’s annual Volunteer Welfare and Efficiency survey confirms that overwhelmingly CFA volunteers contribute their time for one of two main reasons; to help protect the community they live in; and a sense of fulfilment in supporting their community in a meaningful way.

I am incredibly proud of our volunteers and the amazing work they do year in and year out. And while I appreciate the support and good intent evident in the Federal Governments initiative, I feel it is misplaced and has the potential to undermine the volunteer ethos of which Australia’s volunteer movement relies.

VFBV is incredibly disappointed that such a significant policy shift could be made on the run and with little to no consultation directly with volunteer firefighter peak bodies involvement. I can confirm VFBV has not received any detail or was approached by the Commonwealth to discuss the scheme prior to announcement. Nor has our national volunteer firefighters’ body been approached - the Council of Australian Volunteer Fire Associations (CAFVA). CAFVA alone represents over 250,000 volunteer firefighters across Australia and is designed specifically to provide the Commonwealth a direct link to the State’s and Territories volunteer firefighter peak bodies, where the enormous knowledge and experience of volunteers is at the ready to provide input to federal government policy.

Out of Pocket Expenses

While CFA volunteers are firm that they do not want to be paid for their services, they are however, just as firm in their view that being a volunteer should not be a cost to the individual. VFBV is of the view that volunteers should not be out of pocket for the contribution they make to their communities. Policies therefore need to be well designed and considered so they are sensitive to these factors ensuring addressing expense reimbursement does not undermine the volunteer ethos.

Items such as transport costs, personal expenses, clothing and equipment reimbursement and communication costs legitimately incurred in undertaking their volunteering should be considered for reimbursement.

There is some interest within the volunteer movement for an analysis of the other opportunities that may exist for the improved recognition of volunteers through economic support, for example tax incentives and insurance premiums or fire service levy offsets. The introduction of tax breaks and offsets and the like would reflect a token recognition of volunteer commitment rather than being a true compensation for voluntary contribution made (or encouragement incentive).

Any move to consider a different regime of reimbursement for out of pocket expenses must be carefully considered and well thought out due to the administrative complexities involved; for example in determining reimbursements between those active on the fire ground, those performing the equally important myriad of support roles or those who remain on call within their brigade area to ensure ongoing service provision within their local community.

Some organisations like AFAC and EMA have advocated for tax breaks for volunteers through a flat rate tax rebate. If supported by government, this could be applied consistently across all volunteers regardless of their level of contribution. The tax break would more likely reflect a token of volunteers' commitment rather than truly compensating for the hours involved.

Employer and Self Employed Recognition

The support of employers and the self-employed is crucial to the work CFA volunteers do in protecting Victorian communities from fire.

It is our belief there is a need to consider the role played by employers in permitting volunteers to respond to incidents and attend specialist training courses during their working hours. The real and hidden cost to many employers is significant and we believe there is an opportunity to recognise this by way of incentives such as tax relief or a form of reimbursement for lost productivity similar to the army reserve model that was recommended in the 2011 Independent Inquiry into Effect of Arrangements on Country Fire Authority Volunteers, led by retired County Court Judge, the Honourable David Jones.

Just as volunteers have a right to choose to offer their services, employers should have the same right to choose to support employees who are volunteers. The guiding principle is choice. Employers could be encouraged to provide leave arrangements to employees who are registered emergency service volunteers. This would allow employees to negotiate and agree leave conditions with their employers beforehand and provide timely notice of absences for being reasonably absent from work to attend emergencies. Government rebates or co-payments could support these efforts.

Maintenance of an existing employee benefit of income can be seen as being fundamentally different from the provision of additional income. Payment for emergency service leave could be seen as an employer donation that supports an emergency service volunteer by maintaining an existing benefit. It upholds the principle that volunteers should not be out of pocket as a result of their volunteering while at the same time providing recognition of best practice employers who equally support their communities during crisis.

Diverse Views

VFBV’s position on payment for volunteers has been well documented and broadly consulted on over many years.

VFBV represents 55,000 CFA volunteers. Our membership is large and diverse and there will always be a broad range of views on any given topic. Historically however, when the issue of payment for volunteer service has been raised, CFA volunteers have overwhelming rejected this proposition.  

It must be acknowledged that in the current climate and following some very hard years where CFA volunteers feel they have been very unfairly treated and their professionalism disrespected through the approach of recent Victorian fire service reform debates and enquiries, VFBV has consistently warned of the significant detrimental impact on volunteer morale and resulting diminution of volunteer good will.  

It remains to be seen how this demoralisation and drop in good will translates to shifting volunteer attitudes. I urge decision makers to not concentrate on short-term one-off type reactions, and instead work collaboratively and in good faith with peak volunteer representative bodies to strategically address the barriers and difficulties currently experienced by volunteer firefighters.

Welfare Services and Safety Net

One of the most fundamental responsibilities of Government and the Agencies is to ensure the health, safety and welfare of its emergency service volunteers. And while many do the best they can with the resources available to them, in many cases this is simply not enough. There remains a very large gap between standards for paid employees and the conditions that volunteers are often expected to just endure, simply because they are not paid.

Improving safety nets and welfare support services is also a priority. While there has been much progress, there remains a lot to do.  

Almost all Australian volunteer firefighter representative bodies and associations run welfare grant type programs to assist members suffering from serious financial hardship or injury. These programs like so many others, rely on government grants, subscriptions or public donations to survive. For example the last Government grant to our Welfare Fund was back in 2008. These programs could easily be expanded by long term investment and support that would strengthen the support and protection for volunteer firefighters and future generations.

Technology systems to better track volunteer deployment and utilisation would greatly assist in identifying over commitment. Systems and processes that can detect peak demand and over commitment could then be used to supplement these areas with immediate relief crews and support which would prevent volunteer firefighters feeling they cannot step away and take a break from the fire line.

Future

Notwithstanding all of the above, in the overall context of key issues currently facing CFA volunteers and volunteerism, we believe there are matters of far greater importance to recognising and retaining volunteers than payment for their services.

CFA volunteers and Brigades are still overly reliant on fundraising and one-off Government grants programs to fund the provision of essential equipment and tools of trade.

Consider that CFA volunteers are running one of Australia’s oldest tanker fleets, with trucks approaching over 30 years’ service. We have volunteers fundraising for basics like trucks, station upgrade and maintenance, uniforms, torches, first aid supplies, heavy vehicle driver licenses, emergency alerting smartphone applications and turnout systems to improve response times and workwear garments to wear for training and station duties to name just a few.

Practical initiatives aimed at directly supporting volunteers could include but are not limited to:

• Sustainable truck and station capital works programs
• Easy access to new and replacement personal protective clothing and equipment
• Easy access to training and skills maintenance
• Improved insurance and income protection
• Effective use of volunteer time and better volunteer management practices
• No cost cutting that impact volunteers and front line services
• Respect and recognition for what they do, and recognition of their professionalism
• Support and investment for volunteer welfare funds
• Increased access to counselling and peer support services including PTSD treatments
• Protections from constraints and limitations imposed by industrial processes & bureaucracy
• Protection from unintended marginalisation of volunteers by arrangements for paid staff
• Support by paid staff to maintain and strengthen volunteer capability
• Fair, independent and effective complaint and issue resolution processes

Working with volunteers to understand these pressures and empower them to co-design the solutions is the most effective way to respect our firefighters and the thousands who support our front line activities every year.

Dialog, communication and genuine consultation is vital to ensure long term strategies are put in place to deal with Australia’s future natural disasters and emergencies. Bad fire seasons are not new, and the years of complacency between quiet and busy seasons is crippling long term investment, planning and sustainability into our volunteer fire services.  

VFBV and volunteers in general stand ready to assist with this work. I urge decision makers to take notice and engage with the very organisations best placed to provide practical and well informed advice on what will benefit volunteer firefighters the most, not just in the coming days, weeks or months – but for future generations as well.

In heartbreaking news received overnight from south west Sydney, we are deeply saddened to learn of the in the line of duty deaths of two NSW Rural Fire Service volunteers. Our hearts go out to the family, loved ones and fellow brigade members of Deputy Captain Geoffrey Keaton and Firefighter Andrew O’Dwyer, both from Horsley Park Fire Brigade.  These members were bravely defending their communities and their sacrifice and service will be forever remembered.

Our thoughts are also with the three other firefighters who were also injured in the accident and are being treated for their injuries, as well as the eight other firefighters injured during other indents during the day and are being treated for burns. We pass on our thanks and gratitude to our fellow emergency service workers involved and assisting members at the scene.

Our peers and colleagues in NSW are understandably devastated, and we offer our heartfelt condolences at this sad time. I echo the words of CFA Chief Officer Steve Warrington in that CFA crews have been honoured to fight alongside the RFS these past few months and our deepest sympathies go out to the family, friends and colleagues of these two members.

On behalf of VFBV, CFA volunteers and all members we express our deepest sorrow and pass on our heartfelt thoughts and prayers. We mourn alongside our NSW firefighter brethren for this devastating loss.

Adam Barnett, Chief Executive Officer
Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria

NSW in the line of duty deaths

In heartbreaking news received overnight from south west Sydney, we are deeply saddened to learn of the in the line of duty deaths of two NSW Rural Fire Service volunteers. Our hearts go out to the family, loved ones and fellow brigade members of Deputy Captain Geoffrey Keaton and Firefighter Andrew O’Dwyer, both from Horsley Park Fire Brigade.  These members were bravely defending their communities and their sacrifice and service will be forever remembered.

Our thoughts are also with the three other firefighters who were also injured in the accident and are being treated for their injuries, as well as the eight other firefighters injured during other indents during the day and are being treated for burns. We pass on our thanks and gratitude to our fellow emergency service workers involved and assisting members at the scene.

Our peers and colleagues in NSW are understandably devastated, and we offer our heartfelt condolences at this sad time. I echo the words of CFA Chief Officer Steve Warrington in that CFA crews have been honoured to fight alongside the RFS these past few months and our deepest sympathies go out to the family, friends and colleagues of these two members.

On behalf of VFBV, CFA volunteers and all members we express our deepest sorrow and pass on our heartfelt thoughts and prayers. We mourn alongside our NSW firefighter brethren for this devastating loss.

Adam Barnett, Chief Executive Officer
Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria

Incredible Contribution 

By Adam Barnett, VFBV Chief Executive Officer  

CFA continues to make a significant contribution to assist the NSW and QLD campaign fires. As at writing, CFA has contributed more than 2,000 cumulative personnel deployments to NSW, the majority being volunteers. This is approaching more than 60% of the total interstate and overseas personnel contributed to the NSW campaign.

And while 1,603,712 hectares have been burnt as at November, the NSW Rural Fire Service reported that it had saved more than 2,600 buildings in the direct area impacted by fires. The number of saved buildings is expected to double once figures from the last two weeks are collated. This is an incredible effort, and our peers and colleagues in NSW should be extremely proud of their work.

Positive feedback has been flowing in from senior NSW officers and brigades of how well the Victorian crews have worked with local units and our interstate peers.

Thank-you and well done to all members who have been deployed and thank-you also to those members who have stayed back and pitched in to support our frontline activities back at home. You should all be very proud of your efforts.

I also want to acknowledge the wonderful work from support members and staff. From our wonderful Peer Support members who have been embedded in task forces to look after our crews mental and personal wellbeing, the DMOs who always keep our fleet humming, and the comms staff who have done an exceptional job at overcoming some technological issues inherent in these kind of deployments. These are just some examples of all our people working together and serving our communities. Never lose sight that CFA is made up of incredible people doing incredible work which really comes to the fore during these kinds of disasters.

Could all members please ensure we are monitoring our peers for fatigue and guarding against over commitment. It is in our nature to put others ahead of ourselves. Please look out for each other to ensure our commitments are sustainable and as least disruptive to our families, careers and work/life balance as possible. Forward planning for a long season will be critical, and I encourage brigades and groups to continue this work.

VOLUNTEER STRIKE TEAM LEADERS

Like many of you, I was extremely disappointed to learn of an incident earlier this month involving the standing down of an extremely experienced and respected CFA volunteer strike team leader. He was told that because one of the tankers on the five-tanker strike team contained paid firefighters, that they were following a union directive that required the strike team leader be replaced with a career staff member.

I am heartbroken that such a small number of individuals could even contemplate playing these petty and divisive power games during an active emergency and spoiling what has been an incredibly positive campaign.

VFBV has warned of the dangers of allowing industrial arrangements to reach well outside the normal employment relationship and start interfering with operational matters.

To be clear, the so-called directive being quoted is buried in Schedule 15 of the proposed EBA. VFBV has long argued that clause 35.4 (Work organisation) may also be used to the same effect for level 1 and 2 incidents, and exclude volunteers being recognised as Sector Commanders, Division Commanders and Task Force Commanders etc. Schedule 15 was used to usurp the clear carve out from Level 3 incidents contained in clause 35.4. This demonstrates how the interplay of multiple clauses gets used to circumvent so called “protections”. Remember the volunteer protection clause ‘7A’ quoted ad nauseam that stated, “the role of volunteers in fighting bushfires…....is not altered by this agreement.” Yet again – these protections and promises have proven untrue.

Not only have volunteers been misled, but so to have members of Parliament. Consider the following commitments put to volunteers and parliamentarians during the fire service debates. (1) That the proposed terms of the EBA would not impinge on the powers of the Chief Officer. (2) There was no impact on volunteers and in fact there was a clause inserted specifically to ensure volunteers would be protected. (3) That all firefighters respect the fireground and the proposed terms are only about the pay and conditions of employees.

Walking through those commitments, it is clear that:
(1) We have just witnessed evidence of a proposed term usurping the Chief Officer’s Chain of Command and Standard Operating Procedures.
(2) The effect has had a direct impact on volunteers which now bans them from leading composite strike teams.
(2b) The so-called volunteer protection clause has had zero effect, and
(3) these terms have been used on the fireground during an active emergency to cause maximum disruption and offence.

In all emergency services, but especially in ours - mixing operational doctrine with industrial side deals is a recipe for disaster. Our work is dangerous enough without introducing additional complexities. Terms that lead to conflict or ambiguity should have no place. Segregating people based on their EB status and refusing to work with others is just madness. No other emergency service in Australia tolerates such blatant over reach. Any term that can allow anyone to discriminate against emergency management volunteers or subjugate them is appalling and should be denounced and withdrawn. VFBV stands firmly behind the volunteer and fully supports his qualifications, experience and his merit-based appointment.

The VFBV Board has condemned the incident and is demanding action be taken to ensure it never occurs again. With the upcoming introduction of FRV, we must ensure these kinds of arrangements are not allowed to perpetuate the sidelining or disempowerment of senior volunteer leaders in the future.

Cooperation is the cornerstone of emergency services. The Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission spoke authoritatively on the importance of unambiguous leadership and unity of command and effort. I recall vividly senior operational leaders speaking on the importance of all agencies working cooperatively and as one.

VFBV is raising this issue as a significant safety concern and believes that this incident is a warning bell to the dangers of allowing industrial matters to continue spilling over and interfering with operational doctrine. We must not abandon the principle of selecting leaders based on merit and experience. This is not just a matter for CFA volunteers, but for all members of Victoria’s emergency services. These same clauses that have been used to discriminate against CFA volunteers can also be used to exclude EMV personnel, other partner agencies such as DELWP, VicPol and SES, and even our own PTA staff and employees who frequently report they too are being sidelined simply because they are covered by a different agreement.

REFORM

The VFBV Volunteer Reference Group met last week. We have passed on the frustration and disappointment of members with the lack of communications and engagement regarding reform. We have advised the significant impact on morale this is having. VFBV has requested that engagement with integrated brigades and those brigades immediately surrounding them start as a matter of priority.

We have requested that direct consultation on the development of the allocation statements needs to start as soon as possible so that volunteers have a direct involvement. CFA is required to provide the Minister an allocation statement for each integrated station which will detail assets to be transferred to FRV. These statements are given authority in Part 6 (Transitional Provisions) of the Reform Legislation. We have also requested an appeals process be established to outline concerns should volunteers disagree with elements of the allocation statement before it goes to the Minister for approval. CFA has agreed to commence engagement ASAP and VFBV will continue to monitor.

MERRY XMAS

I know for many of you, the sooner we put aspects of this year behind us the better. VFBV is continuing discussions with the Government on how best volunteers can be supported in the future and how CFA can best be supported to make it the incredible organisation we all know it can be.

My wish for the new year is that next year will bring a new found respect and recognition for the incredible and selfless work you do every day in your communities. Please stay safe on the fireground and may you, your loved ones and all your families enjoy a wonderful Xmas and New Year.

Gippsland Fires

As at writing, CFA crews and our peers from DELWP are battling three bushfires in East Gippsland. There are 448 firefighters and 84 fire trucks working on the fires. Additional strike teams have been positioned around Swifts Creek, Buchan and Bruthen in case more fires ignite. CFA brigades located in the outer metropolitan areas of Melbourne have organised thousands of CFA volunteers to be on standby in case additional strike teams will be required to add to local surge capacity in those areas. Regional and Provincial areas have also mobilized, with many organising crews for local protection and patrol, as well as continuing the significant contribution to NSW.

Understandably as most of the media focus has been on the NSW campaign fires, many Victorians are unaware of the significant commitment currently underway in Victoria. Awareness and education of the public is critical to ensure that businesses and employers continue to support releasing CFA volunteers form their workplaces. The support of our employers, the self employed and of course our incredible CFA volunteers is critical and very much appreciated.  We are extremely grateful to the business community for their continued support of our firefighters.

Replacement PPC

VFBV has received a small number of reports that volunteers applying for replacement personal protective clothing (PPC) items are being rejected by CFA District offices. State Council received a report this month of a member denied replacement structural boots that were leaking and told there was ‘insufficient budget’ to replace them.

The brigade was told to fund the replacement themselves. State Council has resolved a zero-tolerance approach to these issues and that 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.

Additional support is being provided to District Councils to ensure these matters are escalated and resolved as quickly as possible, and VFBV will monitor for any recurring trends or trouble spots for immediate escalation to senior CFA management as a matter of priority. Brigade Officers are encouraged to report any instances where members have not been provided appropriate replacement items within reasonable timeframes.

Welfare Fund

Brigades are reminded that 31st December is the deadline for paying this year’s Welfare Fund subscription. Subscribing ensures your members are protected in the likelihood of needing emergency financial assistance if they find themselves in hardship due to loss of work, family illness or accidental injury.

Under the Welfare Fund Rules if a Brigade fails to pay its Welfare Fund subscription and its membership lapses, there will be a one year waiting period imposed should the brigade decide to re-join in the future.

Therefore, it is incredibly important for the protection of your members, that Welfare Fund subscriptions are kept current with payments received by VFBV before 31st December each year. Please contact your Brigade Secretary to ensure your brigade is up to date.

Last financial year a total of $96,735 in Welfare Fund grants were paid to volunteers in severe financial need across the state, and the support of the Welfare Fund is always gratefully received by brigades, and volunteers in their time of need.

CFA 2020 Draft Strategy Brochure 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 next 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.

Spirit of CFA Awards

A reminder that nominations for the Spirit of CFA are due shortly. The deadline for nominations has been extended to Monday 13th January 2020. This is your chance to nominate those quite achievers.

Our people are humble, and we need your support to tell their story. We are especially interested to hear about quiet achievers who go about their daily work without any thought of being recognised. More information, the criteria for the awards and the process for nomination can be found at www.cfa.vic.gov.au/spiritofcfa

16/17 year old firefighters 

State Council has supported a request from District Council #9 to investigate and obtain the views of members on the continued use of 16- and 17-year olds as operational members.

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.

While a formal CFA position is not known at this time, State Council has agreed that this matter is very likely to come up in the future, and therefore it is prudent for brigades and members to be given sufficient opportunity to consult and provide feedback so that VFBV is well informed if and when it does get raised.

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. Submissions are due by Monday 2nd March 2020.

Working with Children 

All State Championship officials are reminded that they are required to have a valid working with children card on file with VFBV in order to perform any track official role at State Championships. First introduced two years ago, State Council have made it mandatory for any member performing the role of Judge or Track Official to have a valid working with children check card on file that lists VFBV and CFA as organisations.

This includes all members that support track activities such as announcers, recorders, first aid officers, protest registrars and official photographers. Members can register for a card at www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au   

The check generally takes three weeks to be processed, and members need to ensure that VFBV is listed, which you can do by logging in to the online portal at the same website, or by phone on 1300 652 879. Further details are available on the VFBV website or via the VFBV WWCC Frequently Asked Questions circular available from your District Council.

If you are unsure if we have your card on file, you can phone the VFBV office on (03) 9886 1141

2020 State Champs

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 Junior & 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.     

International Volunteer Day

International Volunteer Day is held annually each year on 5 December to raise awareness on the vital role volunteers play in responding to challenges facing the world.

The strength of volunteers in protecting their communities is especially evident in the number of CFA volunteers who have given up their time over the last two months to be a part of strike teams in New South Wales and Queensland and those who have contributed to CFA’s surge capacity in others ways while remaining at home.

Some recent stories promoting the value of CFA can be seen on the VFBV website:   

	Huntly CFA volunteers light up the town with safety messages
	Young Boort CFA volunteer jumps from school into the fire zone
	Stawell parents tag team to ease NSW fire threat
	Victorian volunteers step in to stop fire spreading in NSW
	Rushworth volunteers return for a second stint to ease NSW and Qld fire threat
	Werribee CFA volunteer says protecting the community is number one priority
	Flowerdale CFA volunteers return favour to help NSW
	South-east Victorian CFA volunteers help ease NSW and Qld fire threat
	Commendation for long-serving Bunyip CFA volunteer
	Alexandra volunteer recognised for dedicated service