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A busy start to 2025
By Adam Barnett, VFBV Chief Executive Officer
Starting a New Year is often a chance to reflect on the old and look towards the new with optimism. And while there’s nothing wrong with that of course, pragmatism calls on us to be a little more realistic with our expectations. While I still harbour eternal hope and can see the magnificent potential of what can be achieved, I am tempered by the current political realities.
So, when setting my expectations for the year ahead, I draw from a quote of the social justice and civil rights activist, Martin Luther King Jr. who said: “If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. If you can’t crawl, then just move inch by inch in another direction.”
For me this demonstrates the power of continuing to put one foot in front of the other, knowing each step is another step closer as we continue our push for fair and equitable funding.
And while we have made some great recent progress, we must stay focussed on our most pressing challenges such as the inequitable CFA budget, ageing CFA fleet and fixing the ridiculous secondment arrangements that are holding us back. While the recent truck funding is a great start – it is still only about a quarter of what we need to start making a dent in the fleet that has been long neglected. With more than 700 single cab tankers and ageing trucks, it will take some serious investment to catch up.
The hope of purposeful changes with a new Premier and new cabinet have not materialised. Perhaps expecting great courage from today’s political leaders was too much to hope. But as I have said all along, they will either be part of the solution or consigned to history as part of the problem.
VFBV continues to draw attention to the complete inequity of CFA’s budget, and the government’s prolonged attack on CFA’s resourcing and support. We have continued to track the government’s investments in CFA over the last five years, and have found despite increased costs and high inflation, government has invested less and less in CFA’s base funding year after year.
Lining up the last five CFA annual reports clearly shows the drop in government grants towards CFA funding over successive years, despite what government’s media releases state. In 2020, prior to the government’s fire services reforms, the total income to CFA from government grants was $807 million. Following reform, the total in 2021 was cut to $351M, a drop of more than $455M. Now let’s put the last five audited financial statements side by side:
2019/20: $807M
2020/21: $351M
2021/22: $347M
2022/23: $341M
2023/24: $339M
The current financial year as tabled by the Minister at the public accounts and estimates committee is $337M. Note the little comment denoted with an * in the tabled document stating this figure is inclusive of the money given to the Department and EMV.
The trend and pattern are unmistakable. At a time when fire seasons are getting longer, more intense and high-risk days are becoming more frequent – the government is actually defunding CFA and investing less and less. This is like reducing your insurance as the rate of theft increases. In the most fire prone place on earth – it’s just madness.
And those figures are just the headline figures. What is hidden is the murky smoke and mirror games that are being played by pretending to invest in CFA, while in fact they are diverting those funds to other agencies or government bodies.
Further analysis has revealed the tens of millions of dollars being siphoned from CFA’s budget to be diverted to public service bodies and departments, effectively representing a further cut to CFA’s budget. Each year, the Department of Justice and Community Safety withhold a portion of CFA’s budget for its own purposes. Back in 2014, this amounted to just $10M.
However, in recent years the amount being siphoned away has sharply increased, masking the real cuts being made to CFA’s base funding. For example, the amounts withheld over the past four years alone is:
2021/22: $27.6M
2022/23: $34.9M
2023/24: $46.2M
2024/25: $67.3M
When these figures were first revealed, department officials issued blanket denials, and then ultimately settled on a statement that stated that “every dollar of these quarantined amounts is spent on CFA – directly benefiting the CFA and its volunteers.” The statement then went on to claim that really this was just an efficiency arrangement where one government department paid the bill for equipment delivered to CFA for things like radios.
Far from “every dollar” being spent on CFA, a VFBV freedom of information request into the last five years of these withheld grants uncovers explicit detail that refutes this assertion.
For example, over the last five years funding sent to EMV separate to the operational communications program reached $12M a year. Funding was also diverted for example to the “Inspector General Emergency Management Services” which reached $1.8M last year. These are just two examples of this funding directly funding public service bureaucracies and is a far stretch from paying for vital CFA “equipment”.
Which leads us to the Fire Services Property Levy. To be clear, Section 76 of the CFA Act stipulates that Government contributions to CFA are to be sourced from 22.5% from consolidated revenue, and 77.5% from the fire services property levy. No one disputes this is the funding formulae, but it has been thrown up to try and confuse people how much of the total levies collected are actually going towards funding CFA.
On two separate occasions, Treasurer Tim Pallas has confirmed to Parliament that only 25% of the total collected fire services levy revenue actually go towards CFA, with the remaining 75% going to FRV. The Treasurer confirmed this figure to questions on notice on the 22nd August, and again on the 19th September 2024.
The reason this is such a big deal is due to how the levies are aggregated across the different property types. One must remember that prior to its reforms, it was the Andrews Government that altered the Fire Service Property Levy in 2020 and dropped the differential rates. Under the old system, an area covered by CFA would pay the levy required to fund CFA, and the areas covered by FRV paid the contribution to FRV. Thus, after reform, when CFA’s budget was slashed by $455 million – these savings would have been directly passed onto all residents residing in a CFA area through a reduced levy. Under the new system however, FRV’s huge cash injections relies on people in CFA areas to send 75% of their levy funds to fund FRV.
This effectively means rural areas are cross subsidising the cost over runs of FRV. These were the cost overruns our own Emergency Services Minister the late Hon. Jane Garrett passionately warned about and resigned over. Despite only operating 85 fire stations across Victoria, funding required to fund FRV last year reached a record $1.07 billion. It probably does not make much of a difference to a resident sitting in Melbourne who pays just $204 a year under the current levy. However, it makes a huge difference to a primary producer who is paying an average of $2,500 a year in levies, for a service many of them volunteer to provide in the first place. This is set to increase to almost $7,000 under the new hikes just announced. These are the people growing our food! For farmers to be paying thousands in levies, with only 25% of those funds actually going to the service that protects them is the modern equivalent of highway robbery.
All the while they house some of the oldest trucks in the nation. For regional and rural residents to be cross subsiding city services is just grossly inequitable and is a slap in the face to regional communities. And for property owners to be slapped with another tax increase during a cost of living crisis just compounds the problem.
Just weeks ago, the Government announced another hike and that the Fire Services Property Levy will be rebadged to be called the “Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund.” The new levy will not only fund CFA and FRV, but for the first time will also fund VicSES, Triple Zero Victoria, the State Control Centre, EMV, Emergency Recovery Victoria and Forest Fire Management Victoria.
The new levy will increase from $1.033 billion this financial year to $1.649 billion in the next financial year. So, from this extra $600+ million, how much do volunteers stand to get in extra funding you ask?
The Budget update papers released by the Treasurer on 13th December, provided a cold answer. Of the additional revenue to be collected, only $50 million was set aside in output initiatives for “Supporting our emergency services and volunteers”. This equates to just 8% of the increased revenue. The exemption for SES and CFA volunteers has been costed at $6M per year, and the budget papers assume will not even be in place until 2026. This $6M exemption is put into stark reality when you consider there are already $31M of other exemptions in place for existing pensioners, single farm enterprises and veteran gold card holders.
So why does the new name refer to it as a Volunteer Fund?
Well one can only assume it is the same cynical ploy that named the controversial reforms as the “Firefighters’ Presumptive Rights Compensation and Fire Services Legislation Amendment (Reform) Act 2019.” Just as this name traded on sick firefighters to hide its true intent, the name of the new property levy now seeks to trade on the good name of volunteers, hoping the public swallow a massive tax hike.
VFBV will be opposing volunteers being slighted by tying the name of the new levy to volunteers’ good name. As a member said to me recently, its like they pat us on the head with one hand and poke us in the eye with the other.
We are also expecting further consultation on the proposed exemption, that will exempt a volunteer’s primary residence. Given the broad diversity of views that is likely to be among volunteers, we are demanding that sufficient time be provided that will allow genuine consultation on how the exemption will work. Government has confirmed from the outset that the exemption will be optional, so volunteers may choose whether to apply or not. We do not yet have any information on how renters may be treated, or the other details of how the exemption would work. We will engage broadly and seek your views as soon as preliminary details are known.
With a busy year ahead, and an even busier one predicted on our fire grounds over summer, we will need to look out for one another. For those called away during the Christmas and New Year break – thank-you. For the partners and loved ones who filled the gaps your absences made at home – we give our sincere thanks also. Stay safe, and please look after yourselves and one another.
Vol Survey
The 2024-25 annual VFBV Volunteer Survey is open.
The survey is an annual snapshot of volunteer opinion, using questions on issues chosen by CFA volunteers. All responses are confidential and de-identified results go straight to decision makers. By taking part in the survey you help us make a difference in CFA.
The survey measures volunteer opinions on what is important to them and how well CFA is performing according to what they are experiencing.
The gap between the measurement of importance and performance is referred to as the Volunteer Welfare and Efficiency Level (VolWEL) outcome. This measure helps to identify volunteer dissatisfaction and where priority attention should be directed by CFA and Government.
Scan the QR code below or visit the VFBV website to take part in the survey today.
Paper copies of the survey are also available by calling the VFBV office on (03) 9886 1141.
SOP Feedback
VFBV encourages all senior volunteers to make themselves familiar with the proposed changes and provide feedback ASAP.
Please visit the VFBV website to access drafts and change logs to help guide your feedback.
2025 State Championships
A reminder that entries are now open for the 2025 State Championships to be held in Mooroopna in March. All entries and judge and official nominations will close on Sunday 16 February 2025.
For the 2025 Championships VFBV has waived the entry fees for all competing teams in an effort to encourage more brigades to enter a team in any of the four championships.
To enter your brigade or team or nominate as a judge and official for the 2025 State Championships visit the VFBV website.
The 2025 Championships will begin with the Urban Junior Championship on the weekend of 22 and 23 March with the Rural Junior and Senior Championships and the Urban Senior Championship taking place on 29 and 30 March.
The popular Torchlight Procession will also take place on Saturday 29 March in Mooroopna. Entry in the Torchlight Procession is open to brigades taking part in the Championships as well as brigades who are not competing at the State Championships. If your brigade is interested in taking part in the Torchlight Procession please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to register your interest.
For more information about the 2025 State Championships including updated rule books for both the rural and urban championships, details of local competitions being held across the state and links to nominate as a judge or official for any of the Championships visit the VFBV website or contact the VFBV office via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (03) 9886 1141.
CFA Board Applications
VFBV has commenced our broad advertising for volunteers who may be interested in being nominated to the CFA Board as a volunteer nominee. Two positions on the CFA Board are due to expire in June of this year, and members are requested to start thinking about potential applicants.
Application and selection details are available from the VFBV website.
Applications close on Monday 3 March 2025.
New Minister
On the 19th December, the Premier announced changes to her Cabinet. With the Hon. Jaclyn Symes MP taking on the role of Treasurer, the Emergency Services portfolio has been transferred to the Hon. Vicki Ward MP, who will also be Minister for Natural Disaster Recovery and Minister of Equality.
Minister Ward has been the elected member for Eltham since November 2014. VFBV welcomes Minister Ward to the Emergency Services sector and looks forward to working with her to ensure CFA remains a strong and sustainable volunteer fire service well into the future.
Fire Wise – January 2025 online only edition
The January 2025 edition of Fire Wise has been published online only, this edition and past editions are available from the Fire Wise website.
You can support Fire Wise and the role it plays as an independent voice in keeping volunteers informed by becoming a subscriber. To become a subscriber visit the Fire Wise website or contact the Managing Editor of Fire Wise, Gordon Rippon-King either by phone 0402 051 412 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Recent articles on the VFBV website
Now Open - 2024-25 VFBV Volunteer Survey
CFA Board – Invitation to Apply
VFBV Statement – Explosive Independent Fire Services Monitor Findings
2025 State Championships Entries Open
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
SOP Feedback – Electrical Safety
Presumptive Legislation Update
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On behalf of everyone at VFBV, we wish all members, friends and supporters a very happy and safe Christmas and New Year.
With fire activity in the landscape, and more expected as we approach another spike day on Boxing Day, we are thinking of everyone who will be called away over the Christmas and New year period, and all those communities impacted by fire over the holiday period.
CFA volunteers work tirelessly to support and protect their communities 24/7. They will be giving up precious time with their families and loved ones to ensure their communities remain protected. We take this opportunity to thank each and every one of our CFA Volunteers for the tremendous work they do in protecting our communities.
To all our volunteer firefighter's on the front line, and to the thousands of others who support in our communities or behind the scenes, well done and thank-you for your incredible contribution year after year.
This year, CFA volunteers have not only protected Victoria from fire, but they have worked tirelessly to support our colleagues and friends with VICSES. This is CFA's volunteer surge capacity in action and its protection is critical for the safety of all Victorian's.
To the families, employers and supporters of CFA volunteers we say thank you. Your support is crucial to the work our members do in protecting Victorian communities from fire and building safe and resilient communities, 365 days of the year.
May everyone have a Safe and Happy Christmas.
Stay safe over the holiday season, and please look out for one another.
Truth and consequence
By Adam Barnett, VFBV Chief Executive Officer
On 28 November, the Fire Services Implementation Monitor’s (FSIM) Annual Report was tabled in Parliament. The FSIM was established as an independent entity in 2020 under section 122 of the Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) Act to provide assurance to government and the community on progress on the government’s fire service reforms.
In his fourth Annual Report, the monitor - the Hon. Niall Blair – provides a thorough assessment of progress against the government’s implementation plan. Findings two, three and four are particularly damning and deal with the long standing systemic issues within FRV’s complex consultation and industrial arena, the impacts this has on all joint interoperability initiatives between CFA and FRV, and the devastating impact of the secondment arrangements that have resulted in the CFA Chief Officer’s inability to manage his seconded workforce and the resulting long-term vacancies.
In slamming the secondment arrangements, the monitor concludes that in his opinion and the unanimous opinion of senior leaders of both CFA and FRV, that the arrangements are not working, have not worked for quite some time and in fact will never work.
And while these findings do not come as a surprise to VFBV which has been the canary in the coalmine about these issues for years, these findings from an independent monitor herald a crossroads for the Victorian Government.
Under the secondment agreement, FRV is contractually required to supply CFA with 45 Assistant Chief Fire Officers, and 96 Commanders. As you know, these are key positions and are critical to CFA’s ability to perform its role. They also make up the overwhelming majority of the Chief Officer’s paid workforce and chain of command.
The monitor has reported that on average in any given week there are at least 17 senior vacancies amongst the Assistant Chief Fire Officer and Commander pools each week. He also finds that at its worst, there can be up to 33 vacancies in a week, accounting for more than 20% of CFA’s paid operational workforce.
Confirmation of widespread gaps and vacancies comes as very little surprise to many brigades which have been consistently and frequently reporting these shortages and gaps of support that they are now routinely having to deal with.
One of the largest impacts on volunteers has been the cascading flow-on effects from these vacancies that has created significant churn and upheaval across the ACFO and Commander pool. Brigades have told us that some districts have cycled through up to eight different ACFOs in a single calendar year. Do not underestimate the disruption and havoc this plays across an entire District, and the damage done to relationships and business continuity.
These are alarming figures as we head into Victoria’s fire danger period. When discussing these arrangements, I urge members to clearly separate criticisms of the secondment arrangements from the people.
I want to make it very clear that our attacks on the secondment arrangements are in no way a reflection on the secondees themselves. Rather, they are a reflection on the misguided arrangements that set our secondees up to fail in the first place.
We absolutely respect and support each of the individual secondees loaned from FRV to CFA, and have great empathy for the impossible position they are often put in requiring them to straddle two significantly different organisational cultures, two entirely separate chains of command, and unacceptably high vacancy rates from unfilled positions which pushes these brave men and women to exhaustion as they try to cover empty positions while trying to protect themselves from burnout. We back our secondees and support them, and demand that they be treated better.
Under the arrangements, the CFA Chief Officer is forced to rely on 94% of his operational chain of command to be seconded from a different organisation. In fact, the Chief is left with only nine Deputy Chief Officers reporting directly to him, with all the remaining 141 uniformed officers in his chain of command forced to be seconded from FRV. At times, the Chief does not even get the chance to choose which ones.
In addition, the agreement obliges FRV to provide 53 instructors, and 29 training ground supervisors. In total, FRV is contractually required to supply CFA with 223 seconded officers.
Despite being contractually obliged to fill these positions, when seconded positions are not filled, FRV pocket the savings and redirect them to funding their own cost blowouts leaving CFA completely in the lurch.
Just think that through for a minute.
FRV receives the money for 223 secondees to be supplied to CFA, but when they don’t supply up to one-fifth of those spots they get to pocket that money and apply those savings to their own business. You can’t make this stuff up.
VFBV is advocating that the full budget for its seconded workforce should be provided to CFA, which will then pay FRV for the spots it actually fills. We are then asking for any savings from unfilled spots to then be directed to CFA’s fleet budget to replacing ageing trucks.
This creates an incentive for FRV to meet its contractual obligations, but also provides CFA compensation for when it doesn’t.
Now while the monitor expertly documents the repeated instances where these arrangements do not work and how they have constrained CFA’s ability to effectively manage its operational workforce, we remind members that these arrangements were never discussed or proposed by the fire services themselves. In fact, the CFA and MFB Chief Officers of the time were not even privy to the discussions and negotiations who along with volunteers - were left completely in the dark.
A 2017 Parliamentary Inquiry into the arrangements recommended the legislation not proceed and be withdrawn. The inquiry uncovered that the secondment arrangements along with other reforms were cooked up by a small group working in secret within the Department of Premier and Cabinet under then Premier Daniel Andrews and the then Deputy Premier and Emergency Services Minister James Merlino following the resignation of MP Jane Garret.
In our view, the Chief Officers and Commissioners are there to run emergency services that protect the people of Victoria. They have to make hard decisions, and put the safety of Victorians first and foremost in their minds. For a government to tie the hands of these officers behind their backs represents a complete dereliction of duty and a failure to govern for all.
The monitor also documents the long-standing systemic issue of the operation of the “consult and agree” arrangements within FRV that act as a significant barrier to progressing actions jointly led by CFA and FRV. He reports on the significant delays and the result of no clear pathways for resolution.
Again, it is our view that the blame for these arrangements lies squarely with the Victorian Government for agreeing to these arrangements in the first place. These arrangements are unprecedented, and no other Australian State or Territory government has ever transferred management control of an emergency service to a third party.
It is a complete travesty for a government to shirk its responsibilities to the people of Victoria by implementing completely unworkable arrangements that have been proven to be intractable and unworkable for decades. And it’s not as if they weren’t warned. Judge Gordon Lewis first reported on these problems back in 2008, a whole six years before the Andrews Government was even elected, warning how these processes can be abused and lead to the complete deterioration and paralysis of decision making. Findings the independent monitor has echoed today, some 16 years later.
Enough is enough, and VFBV is calling on the Premier to intercede and commit to fixing these issues once and for all. Both Premier Allan and Minister Symes inherited these ridiculous arrangements and have diligently done their level best to make them work. But it is now time for this chapter to be closed, and we are respectfully requesting an immediate commitment to fixing it. The government must restore the CFA Chief Officer’s control of his operational workforce.
In addition, we are calling on the Victorian Government to implement immediate transparency measures that will force the public reporting of the weekly vacancies from here on in. Sunlight is the best antiseptic, and if they are serious about fixing the problem, they should be accountable for it.
VFBV will continue pursuing CFA’s deteriorating budget situation that we updated you on back in July , and the chronic underfunding of CFA’s truck fleet that is seeing 34 year old fire trucks still in service. These trucks belong in a museum, not a modern fire service that the governments reform propaganda promised.
CFA must be fully funded and supported as we head into this and every other year’s Fire Season. CFA volunteers and the Victorian public deserve no less.
The FSIM is providing government with a generous opportunity to save face and course correct. The time to do so is now, not following the next major disaster and at the business end of a resulting Royal Commission.
As I was pondering why the FSIM may not have made specific recommendations that go to the heart of the problems, I was reminded of the limited scope provided in the legislation as to his role as monitor, but also the criticisms we levelled at government around their reforms in the first place.
These arrangements were never consulted on, and never discussed within the Victorian fire services. No wonder they haven’t worked. They were doomed from the get-go because the architects failed to harness the true depth of local expertise and knowledge across our respective cohorts.
In a 2021 article for the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, former economist, public servant, adviser and minster’s minder the late Dr Peter McCawley AM opined “…handling truth needs a touch both tough and delicate. The art is to uphold the gold standard while upholding the minister, point to where the trash is buried, take the chance to confess to errors, and even hint at what good policy might look like.”
Perhaps then the monitor has provided the government a blessing in disguise.
As we see off 2024, I hope all members have an opportunity to get some rest over the festive season, and to all those on our firegrounds over summer – stay safe, and please look after yourselves and each other.
Vale
We were saddened to learn of the passing of VFBV District 23 Council Secretary Jim Buchan in November. Jim had been the District 23 Council Secretary since 2015 and a CFA member with the Eldorado brigade for more than 37 years.
During his time, Jim held many roles including firefighter, Lieutenant, Captain, Group Secretary/Treasurer, VFBV delegate and Brigade Community Safety Coordinator. Jim was also a key contributor to the writing of the “Make Tankers Ten” a book on the history of the Wangaratta Fire Brigades Group.
Our thoughts are with Jim’s family, friends, loved ones, the Eldorado brigade and Wangaratta Group and fellow firefighters at this sad time.
Vol Survey
The 2024-25 annual VFBV Volunteer Survey is now open.
The survey is an annual snapshot of volunteer opinion, using questions on issues chosen by CFA volunteers. All responses are confidential and de-identified results go straight to decision makers. By taking part in the survey you help us make a difference in CFA.
The survey measures volunteer opinions on what is important to them and how well CFA is performing according to what they are experiencing.
The gap between the measurement of importance and performance is referred to as the Volunteer Welfare and Efficiency Level (VolWEL) outcome. This measure helps to identify volunteer dissatisfaction and where priority attention should be directed by CFA and Government.
Scan the QR code below or click here to take part in the survey today.
Paper copies of the survey are also available by calling the VFBV office on (03) 9886 1141
State Championships
Entries as well as nominations for judges and officials have opened for the 2025 State Championships to be held in Mooroopna.
The State Urban Junior Championship will take place on the weekend of 22 and 23 March 2025, followed by the State Rural Junior and Senior Championships and the State Urban Senior Championship on the 29 and 30 March 2025. All entries and nominations will be collected online again this year with details available on the VFBV website.
Information for competing teams including links to request entry forms for the championships, judge and official nomination forms, and information relating to each championship from the rural and urban competition committees is on the VFBV website.
The VFBV website also has updated rule books for both championships and a list of competitions to be held around the state in the lead up to the State Championship for both rural and urban competitions.
The popular Torchlight Procession will again form part of the second weekend of competition, taking place on Saturday 29 March in Mooroopna. Participation in the Torchlight Procession is open to all brigades, even if your brigade isn’t taking in the championships that weekend.
Entries as well as judge and official nominations will close on Sunday 16th February 2025. If you have any queries relating to the state championships or need assistance during the registration process please contact the VFBV Office on (03) 9886 1141 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Op Ed: Funding up in smoke
By Adam Barnett, VFBV Chief Executive Officer
First published in The Weekly Times 4 December 2024
Just weeks ago, smoke haze over much of Victoria reminded Victorians that the fire season has arrived. Firefighters are busy reminding the public that fire safety is a shared responsibility, and households must act now to prepare their properties. Common sense for people who live in one of the world’s most fire prone areas.
What is not common sense, is the cut and run financial mismanagement of CFA’s funding, as the State Government shirks its responsibility to invest in the very fire service that will ask volunteer firefighters to stand shoulder to shoulder against whatever Mother Nature throws at us this season.
Without this investment, these brave men and women will be forced to use 34-year-old fire trucks, housed in aging stations that won’t even fit a new truck should they be lucky enough to receive one.
The 2023/24 CFA annual report has revealed the blow torch being applied to Victoria’s volunteer fire service. A record $67 million, or 20% of total State Government funding to CFA in the last financial year was secretly funnelled away by the Department of Justice and Community Safety to fund its army of public servants who will never hold a hose or ride on the back of an old fire truck.
That money could have replaced 206 light tankers or 138 medium tankers – the work horses of CFA’s fleet.
To add insult to injury, after hiking its Fire Service Property levy to collect an additional $186 million this year, Treasury has admitted that only 25% of the levy goes towards CFA, effectively meaning regional Victorian’s are funding FRV’s cost blowouts.
The only commitment from the extra revenue was to build just 15 new pumpers over the next three years. Cold comfort for a fleet that contains more than 218. And nothing compared to the 1,970 tankers that will require replacing and did not receive a single extra cent.
There isn’t a police levy, a hospital levy or a school levy. CFA volunteers wonder why even with a fire levy they are left out in the cold. They are being left to largely fund CFA themselves through the billion dollars of value they donate each year through their free labour and the millions more raised through their fundraising.
The fourth Annual Report from the government’s independent Fire Services Implementation Monitor also landed with a thud last week, revealing that despite FRV’s record funding – it has failed to provide the CFA Chief Officer with 20% of the senior officers that they are contractually required to provide under the controversial secondment arrangements foisted on CFA under the government’s reforms.
CFA volunteers do not raise these concerns for their own sake, but rather on behalf of the public who will rely on these services when disaster next strikes. The devasting Black Saturday fires were only 15 years ago, but it appears the government have learned nothing.
While CFA’s volunteers are highly professional, expertly trained and sought after right across the country– they can only do so much with what they are being given. They will continue doing everything in their power to protect Victorian’s this summer, but you need to know - the odds are firmly being stacked against them.
SOP Feedback
VFBV encourages all senior volunteers to make themselves familiar with the proposed changes and provide feedback ASAP.
Please visit the VFBV website to access drafts and change logs to help guide your feedback.
International Volunteer Day
In 2024, International Volunteer Day is highlighting the vital role volunteers play in addressing the world’s challenges.
International Volunteer Day is held annually on 5 December and is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly as a unique chance for volunteers and organisations to celebrate the efforts of volunteers and promote the work of volunteers in their communities. The day was established in 1985 by the United Nations General Assembly, and is mandated as an international observance to be celebrated each year.
This year’s campaign is recognising that in every corner of the world, volunteers are usually the first to respond when required and they rise to meet challenges with courage dedication and selflessness which sums up CFA volunteers perfectly. Each day we see CFA volunteers going above and beyond to ensure that their local communities and communities right across Victoria and Australia are safe and protected from fire and other emergencies.
The 3V’s project conducted by the previous Volunteer Consultative Forum conservatively estimated that emergency management volunteers contribute between $1.9 and $2.5 billion to Victoria each and every year across all volunteer emergency service agencies.
On behalf of VFBV, thankyou to all our amazing CFA volunteers for the work you do each and every day keeping Victorian’s safe.
CFA Board Applications
VFBV will shortly be commencing our broad advertising for volunteers who may be interested in being nominated to the CFA Board as a volunteer nominee.
Two positions on the CFA Board are due to expire in June of next year, and members are requested to start thinking about potential applicants, application and selection detail.
Application and selection details will be advertised shortly.
Quarterly Supplement
Included with the December 2024 edition of Fire Wise is the latest edition of the VFBV Quarterly Supplement.
The Quarterly Supplement contains 16 pages of relevant news, updates, information on current issues being pursued by VFBV on behalf of members. It also includes additional resources or 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 table at your upcoming meetings for the benefit and knowledge of your members.
Please update records with Fire Wise
Newly elected Group Officers, Group Secretaries, Brigade Captains and Brigades Secretaries are asked to update their physical and email addresses with Fire Wise as soon as possible so future editions, both printed and electronic, can be forwarded to the correct person, at the correct address.
If the September edition of Fire Wise has gone to previous officers please advise by email or telephone of the name, physical and email address details of the new officer in your place so our database can be updated.
Existing Group Officers, Group Secretaries, Brigade Captains and Brigade Secretaries are requested to provide their email address, if they haven’t already done so, to enable future electronic editions to be forwarded.
VFBV District Presidents, District Secretaries and State Councillors, as well as all brigade and individual subscribers, are requested to send their email address if not already receiving digital editions.
Please include the Group or Brigade you belong to and the office held, and forward this information to Fire Wise by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by telephone on 0402 051 412.
A complimentary copy of Fire Wise, courtesy of VFBV, is sent to each of these officers monthly.
Eight editions per annum are electronic (January, February, April, May, July, August, October and November) and the other four (March, June, September and December) are printed. The printed editions include the VFBV Quarterly Supplement.
Your email addresses will only be used to forward electronic editions.
Your assistance is appreciated in helping us get Fire Wise to the intended people in the quickest amount of time.
Research study on support needs following suicide loss in emergency services
Military and Emergency Services Health Australia (MESHA), a charity of The Hospital Research Foundation Group (THRFG), is conducting a study examining the support needs of those impacted by the suicide death of an emergency service member.
They are inviting family members, co-workers, healthcare professionals, and service providers to participate by sharing their perspectives and experiences through a survey and optional interview. MESHA are wanting to hear anyone with experience in accessing support following the suicide death of a police officer, firefighter, paramedic, correctional officer and other first responder, whether they were employed full-time, part-time or a volunteer.
For more information or to participate in the study please visit the MESHA website.
Recent articles on the VFBV website
Consultation Dashboard
Now Open - 2024-25 VFBV Volunteer Survey
VFBV Statement – Explosive Independent Fire Services Monitor Findings
Position Vacant - VFBV Support Officer (North East)
SOP Feedback – Electrical Safety
2025 State Championships Entries Open
Presumptive Legislation Update
Enjoy the VFBV monthly newsletter?
If you enjoy reading the VFBV newsletter each month, why not share it with your fellow volunteers?
Either share this page with others who may enjoy the articles or encourage other volunteers to sign up to receive their own copy via email each month here.
Want to read the VFBV 2-minute briefings from the CFA/VFBV Joint Committees?
The latest edition along with previous editions can be downloaded from the VFBV website here.
Entries have opened for the 2025 State Championships, as with previous years entries and judge and official nominations for all State Championships will be collected online.
The 2025 State Championship dates are:
State Urban Junior Championship Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd March 2025
State Urban Senior Championship Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th March 2025
State Rural Senior Championship Saturday 29th March 2025
State Rural Junior Championship Sunday 30th March 2025
Entries for all State Championships close on Sunday 16th February 2025. Please note that it is unlikely that late entries will be accepted.
New Member Registrations
Brigades should commence the new member registration process ASAP to enable them to be registered to compete in both local competitions and the State Championships.
The new member registration process via the Volunteer Recruitment Hub takes longer than the old processes and needs to be stated well in advance of the Championships to ensure that members are registered before competing.
VFBV has no control over this process and CFA will not authorise competitors who have not completed this to compete at the State Championships. To register a new member please visit https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/volunteers-careers/volunteer-with-cfa/apply-to-volunteer
State Rural Championships - Junior & Senior
Team Entries and Registration
The brigade member responsible for completing their team’s entry should complete this form: https://tinyurl.com/2025-entry-eoi
A link to the entry form will then be sent to you (please note that this is not sent automatically and therefore should be requested sooner rather than later). Entry forms need to be completed by Sunday 16th February 2025.
The entry form should only be requested by the member responsible for completing the team’s entry.
Judge and Officials Nominations
All Judges and Officials nominations are to be submitted here: https://tinyurl.com/2025-rural-judge
Please note that you do not need to register as an official for the Rural State Championships if you are nominating to be part of the make up crews, this information is collected via the Team entry forms.
Information for Completing Brigades
A memo with information for competing brigades can be downloaded from the bottom of this page. It includes information on the updated rule book, local competition dates, outstanding female team award and information about the Torchlight Procession which will once again be held at the 2025 State Championships on Saturday evening.
Updated Rule Book
The State Competition Committee have approved changes to the Rule Book at their October 2024 meeting. The updates approved by the Committee include the inclusion of a new disqualification relating to commencing the ascent of the ladder above the second rung and the inclusion of new diagrams.
The Committee have also agreed to new changes on how the Champion Team is calculated at the Junior Championship. The Champion Brigade will be determined by adding together the brigade’s highest placing teams in both age groups regardless of their letter designation.
A copy of the updated rule book can be downloaded from the VFBV website here.
Printed copies of the rule book are available from the VFBV office if required.
State Urban Championships - Junior & Senior
Team entries
The brigade member responsible for completing their team’s entry should complete this form: https://tinyurl.com/2025-entry-eoi
A link to the entry form will then be sent to you (please note that this is not sent automatically and therefore should be requested sooner rather than later). The entry forms need to be completed by Sunday 16th February 2025.
The entry form should only be requested by the member responsible for completing the team’s entry.
Judge and Official Nominations
All Judges and Officials nominations are to be submitted here: https://tinyurl.com/2025-urban-judge
Information for Competing Brigades
The December 2024 Memo from the Competition and Rules Committee to Competing Brigades and Competition Associations can be downloaded from the bottom of this page. The Memo includes the rule book updates, local competition dates and reminders about borrowing for the female aggregate events.
Rule Book
The updated rule book can be downloaded from the VFBV website the 2024 changes include specifying the minimum number of competitors required to enter 2 teams in A Section at the Senior Championship.
Queries and Assistance with Entries and Judge/Official Nominations
If you have any problems accessing the online forms, please contact either the VFBV office via email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 03 9886 1141 or Jen at CFA via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0448 459 132.
Please note if you have query, there will be limited response over the Christmas/New Year period however you will receive a response as soon as possible after this time.
VFBV Statement - Explosive Independent Fire Services Monitor Findings
Written by VFBVThe independent Fire Services Implementation Monitor (FSIM) has slammed the secondment arrangements and concluded that in his opinion and the unanimous opinion of senior leaders of the fire services (CFA & FRV) that the arrangements are not working, have not worked for quite some time and in fact will never work.
And while these findings do not come as a surprise to VFBV who has been the canary in the coalmine about these issues for years, these findings from an independent monitor herald a crossroads for the Victorian Government. An opportunity to make right.
Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) are contractually required to supply CFA with 45 Assistant Chief Fire Officers, and 96 Commanders. These are key positions and are critical to CFA’s ability to perform its role and respond to fire and emergencies in one of the world’s most fire prone area’s.
The independent monitor reports on average in any given week there are at least 17 senior vacancies amongst the Assistant Chief Fire Officer and Commander pool each week. The monitor also finds that at its worst, there can be more than 33 vacancies in a week, accounting for more than 20% of CFA’s paid operational workforce. These figures are supported by volunteer brigades who frequently report to us the shortages and gaps of support they are now routinely having to deal with.
These are alarming figures as we head into Victoria’s fire danger period.
VFBV wish to make clear that our attacks on the secondment arrangements are in no way a reflection on the secondees themselves, but rather a reflection on the misguided arrangements that set them up to fail in the first place. We respect and support each of the individual secondees loaned from FRV to CFA, and have great empathy for the impossible position they are often put in requiring them to straddle two significantly different organisational cultures, two entirely separate chains of command, and unacceptably high vacancy rates from unfilled positions which pushes these brave men and women to exhaustion as they try to cover empty positions while trying to protect themselves from burnout. CFA volunteers support them, and demand that they be treated better.
The CFA Chief Officer is forced to rely on 94% of his operational chain of command to be seconded from a different organisation. In fact, the Chief Officer is left with only 9 Deputy Chief Officers directly reporting to him, with all the remaining 141 uniformed officers in his chain of command forced to be seconded from FRV. The Chief does not even get the chance to choose which ones.
The monitor has reported repeated instances where these arrangements do not work and have constrained CFA’s ability to effectively manage secondees and address the vacancy and non-relief of the seconded positions.
Despite being contractually obliged to fill these positions, when seconded positions are not filled, FRV pocket the savings and redirect them to funding their own cost blowouts leaving CFA completely in the lurch. This is totally unacceptable.
VFBV reminds members that these arrangements were never discussed or proposed by the fire services themselves. In fact, the CFA and MFB Chief Officers of the time were not even privy to the discussions and negotiations who along with volunteers - were left completely in the dark.
A 2017 Parliamentary Inquiry into the arrangements recommended the legislation not proceed and be withdrawn. The inquiry uncovered that the secondment arrangements along with other reforms were cooked up by a small group working in secret within the Department of Premier and Cabinet under Premier Daniel Andrews and the then Deputy Premier and Emergency Services Minister James Merlino following the resignation of MP Jane Garret.
In VFBV’s view, the Chief Officer’s and Commissioner’s are there to run emergency services that protect the people of Victoria. They have to make hard decisions, and put the safety of Victorians first and foremost in their minds. For a government to tie the hands of these officers behind their backs represents a complete dereliction of duty and a failure to govern for all.
The monitor documents the long-standing systemic issue of the operation of the “consult and agree” arrangements within FRV that act as a significant barrier to progressing actions jointly led by CFA and FRV. He reports on the significant delays and the result of no clear pathways for resolution.
It is VFBV’s view that the blame for these arrangements lies squarely with the Victorian Government for agreeing to them in the first place. These arrangements are unprecedented, and no other Australian State or Territory government have ever transferred control of an emergency service to a third party.
It is a complete travesty for a government to shirk its responsibilities to the people of Victoria by implementing completely unworkable arrangements that have been proven to be intractable and unworkable for decades. Judge Gordon Lewis first reported on these problems back in 2008, a whole 6 years before the Andrew’s Government was even elected, warning them of how these processes can be abused and lead to the complete deterioration and paralysis of decision making. Findings the independent monitor has echoed today.
VFBV is calling on the Premier to intercede and commit to fixing these issues once and for all.
Both Premier Allan and Minister Symes inherited these ridiculous arrangements and have diligently done their level best to make them work. But it is now time for this chapter to be called to an end, and we respectfully request an immediate commitment to fixing it. The government must restore the CFA Chief Officer’s control of his operational workforce.
In addition, we call on the Victorian Government to implement immediate transparency measures that will force the public reporting of the weekly vacancies from here on in, and immediately commit to directing any weekly FRV budget savings from the unfilled positions to be diverted back to CFA’s truck funding in order to prioritise the replacement of CFA’s 30+ year fire trucks.
CFA must be fully funded and supported as we head into this year’s Fire Season. CFA volunteers and the Victorian public deserve no less.
A PDF version of the above statement can be downloaded from the bottom of this page along with a copy of the Fire Services Implementation Monitor Year 4 Annual Report 2023-24 and the Judge Gordon Lewis Report
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About VFBV: VFBV is established under the Country Fire Authority Act and is the peak body for CFA Volunteers in Victoria. VFBV works tirelessly to represent, advocate and support CFA volunteers to the CFA Board and management, governments, ministers, members of parliament, councils, instrumentalities, business and the public. Our vision is for Strong Volunteerism, Embraced to Build Community Resilience for a Safer Victoria. |
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Media: Quotes may be attributed to VFBV CEO, Adam Barnett on behalf of Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria |
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Cancer Support
By Adam Barnett, VFBV Chief Executive Officer
This month I wish to shine a light on work that largely goes unseen and unrecognised, but that none the less makes a really big difference to those who need to avail themselves of this support from VFBV. A little like insurance, people often do not realise how important this support is until they need it the most. And while we hope no-one will ever need it, the sad reality is some of our members will be diagnosed with cancer, thought to be a direct result of their cumulative exposures over the years as a volunteer firefighter.
Victorian law currently recognises 15 presumptive cancers that have been scientifically proven to be associated with the carcinogens and toxins that firefighters are exposed to when fighting fires. VFBV continues to advocate for the expansion of the scheme. Other jurisdiction have revised their schemes with updated medical evidence and added additional cancers. QLD for example cover 22 cancers, while Tasmania covers 21. You will find a comparison table of all Australian States and Territories on our website.
The Victorian legislation covers CFA volunteer firefighters, FRV career firefighters, Forest firefighters employed by FFMVic and fire agency vehicle and equipment maintenance employees.
Under the presumptive scheme, a firefighter is generally not required to prove the cancer was caused by their firefighting provided it is one of the 15 cancers listed under the legislation and that the minimum eligibility/qualifying requirement is met for the specific cancer. The qualifying period (years of service as a firefighter) ranges from 5 years to 25 years depending on the type of cancer.
It is called a rebuttable presumption, meaning that while the firefighter is not required to prove the cancer was caused by their firefighting and therefore it is presumed, the insurer is allowed to rebut that presumption and pursue an alternate cause, however the onus is shifted to the insurer to have to prove what they think the other causes are.
However, the Victorian legislation contains a quirk that is not found in the majority of other Australian state and territory presumptive schemes. Under the Victorian legislation, the presumption only applies if the “injury” (which is usually the date of diagnosis for cancer) occurs during the period you are considered a firefighter, or within 10 years after you cease to serve as a firefighter.
As members would recall, presumptive rights compensation was very hard fought for over a long period of time by both career and volunteer firefighters. The Victorian legislation was controversial in the sense that it was tied to other controversial reforms to the fire services that had nothing to do with presumptive rights, but also because it created an additional hoop that Victorian volunteer firefighters need to progress through before their claim is even considered, which does not exist in any other State or Territory.
This extra hoop is by way of a special “Advisory Committee” which is established by the Minister - whose purpose is to provide an ‘expert opinion’ on whether a volunteer firefighter has attended fires to the extent reasonably necessary to fulfil the purposes of service as a firefighter under the presumptive legislation.
And while VFBV and other parties raised serious concerns around this element of the legislation pointing to the fact that no other State or Territory uses this approach - the government at the time refused all requests for amendment.
For these reasons, VFBV has been monitoring very closely each case that has progressed through the presumptive rights scheme to understand the impact of the advisory committee and whether it was having any negative impacts or unintended consequences.
Earlier this year, a volunteer was in fact rejected from presumptive rights based on the opinion of the advisory panel that they had not attended fires to the extent ‘reasonably necessary’.
What made this case unique, was the advisory panel had interpreted the requirement for the date of diagnosis to fall within 10 years of their ‘firefighting’ service as a minimum eligibility requirement, and since, in the opinion of the committee, that this member was now in a ‘non operational’ role and CFA had not recorded any attendance to a fire in the last 10 years that they no longer qualified.
What made this decision so shocking, was the fact that CFA’s records were incomplete, none of his recent turnouts were recorded because he had been incorrectly classified in RMS as non-operational, and this supposed ‘non-operation’ role routinely was deployed to the fireground. Even worse, this was a highly decorated firefighter, with close to 50 years of service, and who had attended hundreds if not thousands of incidents over their lifetime including extensive deployments during Black Saturday and Ash Wednesday. The very person presumptive rights was expected to cover.
This new inappropriate interpretation of the 10-year requirement to a current serving member is further highlighted when you consider the minimum qualifying periods for some of the cancers. For example, primary site oesophageal cancer requires a qualifying period of 25 years. Under this new interpretation, despite a current volunteer having met the 25 year requirement attending fires, if they hadn’t been to what the advisory committee determine to be a sufficient number in the volunteer’s last 10 years of service (for example years 25 – 35 of their service) despite attending thousands of fires prior - then this member’s entire service history could be ignored.
All this despite cancer not magically appearing on an exact timeline. For the scheme to assume it does is deeply flawed, and we believe tying the sunset clause with the attendance criteria is an unintended consequence of the construction of the legislation which simply added volunteers to the scheme as an afterthought. To think a long serving firefighter could be excluded from a system simply based on their last 10 years in a lifetime of service is just plain wrong.
We do not believe this was the intent of the 10-year ‘sunsetting’ period. And while we didn’t agree with it existing in the first place, it was always described to us as meaning the presumption would end 10 years after a firefighter left the service or retired. But to think it being used to exclude a current serving volunteer with decades of service to their community is very distressing. This magical 10-year period does not apply in most other State’s or Territories either.
Fortunately, in this case, we were able to demonstrate significant errors which allowed for this member’s case to be reevaluated. However, this and other recent cases have highlighted some recurring issues that are now forming a pattern, and that we are now seeking to educate members on.
For example, the accuracy of CFA’s service records and incident attendance continues to be a significant barrier. As a result, we highly recommend that members request their records from CFA before they submit a claim, to ensure you have the time to correct those records and fill in any gaps.
CFA will also not supply any other records from other services. So if you have service history with another fire service, either within Victoria or elsewhere, it is important you request those records from the respective agency first, so we can help you combine them with your CFA records.
It is also important to consider any significant events that might be missing from your service history. This is where brigade records may be more accurate than those stored on RMS or FIRS, especially historical records.
My main advice for anyone who is pursuing a presumptive legislation claim is to ensure you get in touch with VFBV so we can assist you with the process. The WorkSafe process can be very daunting for a volunteer, and the various forms and paperwork can be very confusing for CFA volunteers in particular, as some sections require you to document your private employer, whereas other sections assume that CFA is the employer in terms of your firefighting.
We now have extensive experience assisting volunteers through this process and can help you with all the relevant forms and processes.
We are also engaged in constructive discussions with government on some of the issues confronting volunteers as they navigate the presumptive scheme, and I remain hopeful that common sense amendments may be considered. We’ll keep working on ensuring the system is working as intended and will keep you apprised of progress.
NEW CFA CEO
In mid-October, CFA announced the appointment of Greg Leach AFSM as the new CFA Chief Executive Officer. Greg is well known to VFBV from his time with CFA where he originally joined as a volunteer in 1978, before applying to be a career firefighter. Greg went on to serve in senior roles within CFA, before broadening his horizons with senior roles with Ambulance Victoria and the MFB. He recently served as Commissioner for QFES in QLD, before returning to Victoria last year where he was appointed as the CEO for SES Vic.
On behalf of volunteers and VFBV I welcome Greg home, and look forward to working closely with him and Chief Officer Heffernan over the coming years as we continue to strengthen Victoria’s most trusted and respected community fire service.
I would also like to extend my thanks and admiration for Robyn Harris who has acted as CFA’s interim CEO following the departure of Natalie MacDonald back in July. I have enjoyed working with Robyn and thank her most sincerely for her service. The interim gig is always a tough ask, but I am confident CFA has been well served under her leadership.
Vol Survey
The 2024-25 annual VFBV Volunteer Survey is now open.
The survey is an annual snapshot of volunteer opinion, using questions on issues chosen by CFA volunteers. All responses are confidential and de-identified results go straight to decision makers. By taking part in the survey you help us make a difference in CFA.
The survey measures volunteer opinions on what is important to them and how well CFA is performing according to what they are experiencing.
The gap between the measurement of importance and performance is referred to as the Volunteer Welfare and Efficiency Level (VolWEL) outcome. This measure helps to identify volunteer dissatisfaction and where priority attention should be directed by CFA and Government.
Scan the QR code below or click here to take part in the survey today.
Paper copies of the survey are also available by calling the VFBV office on (03) 9886 1141.
Joint Committee EOI
We are now accepting expressions of interest from volunteers to nominate to the CFA/VFBV Joint Committee’s for the 2025 calendar year.
If you feel you can contribute and have the time, are passionate about one of the eight streams and want to be an integral part of our Joint Committee process – then please visit our website or talk to your local VFBV State Councillor or VFBV Support Officer for a nomination form.
Nominations are due 25th November 2024.
We are seeking volunteers from broad and diverse backgrounds to participate in our consultative structures. Young members, women and members of culturally diverse backgrounds are highly encouraged to nominate. We also want to attract volunteers from as broad a range of brigade types and risk profiles as possible. If you would like to learn more about what the role entails and how to get involved, please contact your local VFBV Support Officer, State Councillor or Executive Officer Mark Dryden.
SOP feedback
CFA has recently released another 17 SOP’s for volunteer feedback and consultation. Given the recent controversy, VFBV has prioritised SOP’s related to electrical safety and electrical infrastructure.
Given the importance of SOP’s in CFA’s operational doctrine, VFBV encourages all senior volunteers to make themselves familiar with the proposed changes and provide feedback ASAP.
Please visit the VFBV website to access drafts and change logs to help guide your feedback.
Position Vacant – VFBV Support Officer (North East)
VFBV is seeking to appoint a VFBV Support Officer to work in regional Victoria with VFBV District Councils, Brigades and volunteers to facilitate consultation, issues resolution, delegate support and volunteer engagement.
The position is a state role, with emphasis and focus on providing support throughout CFA’s North East region (CFA Districts 12, 13, 22, 23 and 24).
This is an existing position, with the incumbent to depart shortly. In addition to relevant skills and experience outlined in the position description, candidates will need to understand CFA and volunteerism, be good listeners; be able to facilitate good consultation; ability to establish productive networks; navigate through complex issues resolution; be self-starters; have the ability to work remotely and have a passion to improve arrangements that benefit the welfare and efficiency of CFA volunteers.
Extensive travel is required and flexible work base locations will be considered for the position, with the priority focus to assign a work location within the CFA North East Region. Flexible working arrangements, to cater for extensive evening and weekend work, will be tailored to match the needs of our volunteer membership base. This is a full time position.
Prior to applying you should familiarise yourself with the Position description which is available from the VFBV website.
Applications close on Monday 9th December 2024.
Board Elections
Following the October AGM, the VFBV Board has held its annual elections. Samantha Collins has been re-elected State President, Howard Smith has been elected as State Vice President, and Libby Hay has been re-elected as Treasurer.
The Board also welcomed Kelvin Bateman to the Board, who was appointed following the retirement of Greg Walcott, who was presented with VFBV Life Membership at this year’s AGM.
Kelvin is Captain of Dunrobin- Nangeela Fire Brigade in District 4, and is also a Deputy Group Officer with the Casterton Group. Kelvin is passionate about improving volunteer amenities and has been a strong advocate for new trucks, fit for purpose fire stations which can house current vehicle typology and improvements to volunteer health and safety.
State Council also held elections for the two ex-officio members who are appointed by State Council for a one-year term to the Board, with Graeme Jilbert (District 18) re-elected, and Andy Cusack AFSM (District 4) elected as a State Council nominee following Howard Smith’s appointment to the Board.
VESEP
The Minister for Emergency Services the Hon Jaclyn Symes has announced the successful projects for the Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP) 2024/25.
VFBV would like to congratulate the 179 brigades and groups that have been successful in this round of VESEP.
CFA brigades and groups will share in $11 million dollars’ worth of co-funding for projects and initiatives from the annual grants program which helps fund much needed new and upgrades to operational equipment, vehicles and appliances and minor facility improvements for brigades and groups in every district across the state.
To any brigade or group who was unsuccessful in this year’s allocation, it is recommended you contact your District office to ascertain what improvements could be made to your application and prepare your submission early for the next round of grants.
Congratulations to all the successful brigades and groups.
Fire Wise – November 2024 online only edition
The November 2024 edition of Fire Wise has been published online only, this edition and past editions are available from the Fire Wise website.
You can support Fire Wise and the role it plays as an independent voice in keeping volunteers informed by becoming a subscriber. To become a subscriber visit the Fire Wise website or contact the Managing Editor of Fire Wise, Gordon Rippon-King either by phone 0402 051 412 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Please update records with Fire Wise
Newly elected Group Officers, Group Secretaries, Brigade Captains and Brigades Secretaries are asked to update their physical and email addresses with Fire Wise as soon as possible so future editions, both printed and electronic, can be forwarded to the correct person, at the correct address.
If the September edition of Fire Wise has gone to previous officers please advise by email or telephone of the name, physical and email address details of the new officer in your place so our database can be updated.
Existing Group Officers, Group Secretaries, Brigade Captains and Brigade Secretaries are requested to provide their email address, if they haven’t already done so, to enable future electronic editions to be forwarded.
VFBV District Presidents, District Secretaries and State Councillors, as well as all brigade and individual subscribers, are requested to send their email address if not already receiving digital editions.
Please include the Group or Brigade you belong to and the office held, and forward this information to Fire Wise by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by telephone on 0402 051 412.
A complimentary copy of Fire Wise, courtesy of VFBV, is sent to each of these officers monthly.
Eight editions per annum are electronic (January, February, April, May, July, August, October and November) and the other four (March, June, September and December) are printed. The printed editions include the VFBV Quarterly Supplement.
Your email addresses will only be used to forward electronic editions.
Your assistance is appreciated in helping us get Fire Wise to the intended people in the quickest amount of time.
Recent articles on the VFBV website
Consultation Dashboard
2025 VFBV/CFA Joint Committee District Nominees Expression of Interest
SOP Feedback – Response to Solar Facilities and Working Near Electrical Structures
SOP Feedback – Electrical Safety
SOP Feedback - Various (November 2024)
2024-25 Urban local competition schedule and updated rule book
Presumptive Legislation Update
Position Vacant – VFBV Support Officer (North East)
Enjoy the VFBV monthly newsletter?
If you enjoy reading the VFBV newsletter each month, why not share it with your fellow volunteers?
Either share this page with others who may enjoy the articles or encourage other volunteers to sign up to receive their own copy via email each month here.
Want to read the VFBV 2-minute briefings from the CFA/VFBV Joint Committees?
The latest edition along with previous editions can be downloaded from the VFBV website here.
VFBV is seeking to appoint a VFBV Support Officer to work in regional Victoria with VFBV District Councils, Brigades and volunteers to facilitate consultation, issues resolution, delegate support and volunteer engagement.
The position is a state role, but with emphasis and focus on providing support throughout CFA’s North East region (CFA Districts 12, 13, 22, 23 and 24).
This is an existing position, with the incumbent due to depart shortly.
In addition to relevant skills and experience outlined in the position description, candidates will need to understand CFA and volunteerism, be good listeners; be able to facilitate good consultation; ability to establish productive networks; navigate through complex issues resolution; be self-starters; have the ability to work remotely and have a passion to improve arrangements that benefit the welfare and efficiency of CFA volunteers.
Knowledge and understanding of VFBV will be highly regarded but is not a pre-requisite.
Extensive travel is required and flexible work base locations will be considered for the position, with the priority focus to assign a work location within the CFA North East Region.
Flexible working arrangements, to cater for extensive evening and weekend work, will be tailored to match the needs of our volunteer membership base.
This is a full time position.
Prior to applying you should familiarise yourself with the Position description which is available at the bottom of this page.
How to apply
All applications must include:
i. A current resume
ii. A cover letter addressing the key selection criteria outlined in the position description (including brief samples of previous written communications/reports so we assess your writing style)
Send applications to the attention of the CEO, VFBV, 9/24 Lakeside Drive, Burwood East 3151 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Applications close Monday 9th December, 2024.
Any questions or queries regarding the application process should be directed to Cathie Smith at the VFBV Office on (03) 9886 1141 or via email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Any interested applicants for the position are also encouraged to speak with one of our existing VFBV Support Officers and/or State Councillor’s who would be more than happy to give you an outline of the role.
Formal consultation has commenced on eight modified Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's).
The proposed draft SOP's are available for download from the bottom of this page and contain:
SOP 9.03 - Incident Briefings and SMEACS-Q
SOP 9.24 - Reporting on Scene at a Fire or Incident
SOP 11.01 - Infection Control at Incidents
SOP 11.02 - Medical Monitoring - Biological and Hazardous Substances
SOP 11.07 - Role and Responsibilities of Safety Officers/Field Safety Officer
SOP 11.08 - Disposal of Sharps, Syringes and Contaminated Products
SOP 11.11 - Management of Jewellery and Body Hair
SOP 11.13 - LACES
Members are encouraged to review the revised SOP's and provide any feedback/suggestions/amendments including indicating support/non-support for the proposed policies.
Feedback can be provided by individuals, brigades and groups.
Most of the revisions to these SOP's are relatively minor. For this reason, a single survey has been developed that walks members through each of the substantive changes as a simple way to provide feedback.
You can access the survey for these SOP's via : https://survey.zohopublic.com.au/zs/j5UAyG
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 Monday 2nd December 2024. But we encourage members to respond ASAP.
All members are welcome and encouraged to provide feedback. If you have any questions, please contact your local State Councilor 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 the survey: https://survey.zohopublic.com.au/zs/j5UAyG
- 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.
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.
SOP Feedback - Response to Solar Facilities and Working Near Electrical Structures
Written by VFBV
Formal consultation has commenced on two new proposed Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) relating to responding to Solar Facilities and Working Near Electrical Structures/Conductors.
The proposed draft SOP's are available for download from the bottom of this page and contain:
SOP 10.30 Response at Solar Facilities
SOP 11.04 Working Near Electrical Structures/Conductors
Members are encouraged to review the revised SOP's and provide any feedback/suggestions/amendments including indicating support/non-support for the proposed policies.
Feedback can be provided by individuals, brigades and groups.
We have developed a survey for each SOP that walks members through each clause and provides a simple way to provide feedback.
SOP 10.30 Response at Solar Facilities: https://survey.zohopublic.com.au/zs/GfDTpx
SOP 11.04 Working Near Electrical Structures/Conductors: https://survey.zohopublic.com.au/zs/AzDTJ6
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 18th November. But we encourage members to respond ASAP.
All members are welcome and encouraged to provide feedback. If you have any questions, please contact your local State Councilor 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 the survey for each SOP:
SOP 10.30: https://survey.zohopublic.com.au/zs/GfDTpx
SOP 11.04: https://survey.zohopublic.com.au/zs/AzDTJ6 - 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.
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.
Feedback Loop
By Adam Barnett, VFBV Chief Executive Officer
Consistency and remaining on message are two of the most crucial elements of successful advocacy. Given our principles and expectations of CFA are laid out for all to read in the Volunteer Charter, I am sometimes somewhat bemused at people who are surprised by volunteer reaction to some policy proposals. Anyone bothering to do a small amount of research should be able to roughly estimate whether something is likely to be warmly received, or alternatively detested and rejected.
Therefore, one of the things that makes me particularly cranky is when I hear people accusing volunteers of not embracing change. Rubbish.
CFA volunteers are not against change. They are against pointless change and change for changes sake, or change that has not been thought out, is not resourced or funded, or is simply unachievable.
The Charter provides six fairly simple principles: (1) Is it fair? (2) Is it just? (3) Is it reasonable? (4) Does it discriminate? (5) Is it practicable and sustainable? And finally, (6) Is it in the best interests of the community?
And when evaluating change against these principles, volunteers are not going to fall for corporate or political spin that asks them to suspend all reality, and they will not blindly just go along with something because someone thinks its trendy. And honestly, who can blame them?
Volunteer firefighters have protected their communities from fire and other disasters since time immemorial, and most reviews into disasters rarely find issues with the local response or brigade, but rather the systems, processes or interventions forced upon them by bureaucrats and administrators.
So, know - that when you propose a changed policy or arrangement, volunteers will evaluate it with full candour and unapologetic pragmatism. If you are only interested in policy that works, is sustainable and makes a positive difference – then this should not alarm you.
As volunteer firefighters, we work in a complex and dangerous sector and are dealing with risks that constantly change and require dynamic risk assessments. Our assessment of corporate policy is not going to be any different.
Therefore, it should surprise no one that simply proposing changes based on the “vibe”, and without any evidence base, without sharing any research or analysis about the problem trying to be solved, how the solution will supposedly fix it or the simple matter of bringing people along on the journey – the only people that should be surprised by volunteer resistance are the people probably most to blame for their idea flopping in the first place. Themselves.
What if the reason volunteers rejected the idea was simply because it was a dumb idea or simply wouldn’t work. Sounds like a pretty reasonable reason to me.
Volunteers are actually champions of change – changes that makes things simpler, quicker, more efficient and achieve better outcomes. Why then is it always so hard to get agencies to adopt these changes when we ask? So if you ask me who is more resistant to change – the agency or its volunteers, I know which one I’d pick.
In fact – brigades adapt faster to the changing risk profile of their communities than anyone else. In fact – the fire services as a whole often take years to catch-up. Almost every single retrofit or statewide program has followed one or more brigades proving a concept or demonstrating a need that finally leads to a statewide program or funding. The fact that volunteers did their own tests, procured and fundraised for their own equipment to make something work – often gets overlooked – but make no mistake – these are the ingenious origin stories to which most of the big advances in technology or fire service processes have sprung.
Therefore, I would like to sincerely thank members for their continued discipline in responding to our feedback requests. I read almost every single piece of feedback given, so I come from a unique vantage point to say I know and appreciate that many of you are sick and tired of the same old proposals being regurgitated with each change of personnel, or changes being proposed with no discernible improvement or outcome in mind.
Yet – you continue to be involved – and this is the most valuable lesson of all. Volunteering isn’t a job that you just tire of one day. That’s not to say you don’t get tired. But volunteering is a vocation and a passion. It comes out loud and clear from your feedback.
Your desire for the “system” to work for the benefit of your brigade and your community. Your wish that arrangements will actually encourage, support and strengthen the ability of volunteers to deliver CFA services. And your hope that your feedback will actually make a difference and may actually improve things.
And it is on this final point, I would like to digress.
Your feedback does make a difference. I read enough of your feedback to know many of you often don’t think it does but trust me when I say it makes a much bigger difference than you think. Even when the immediate results don’t appear that way – the sentiment and knowledge contained in your feedback outlasts single requests. So, even when CFA does not respond to the feedback or does not modify their position – your feedback is used to build VFBV’s organisational memory and is what heavily influences formal VFBV positions, and our continued advocacy for further change.
We don’t give up, and you can lose the battle without losing the war.
In a good news story, and to illustrate my point - I wanted to share with you the progress made on CFA’s revised Brigade Finance Policy which CFA has recently finalised.
Members would recall that CFA first released its initial drafts in June of last year. Back then, CFA released a brigade finance policy “suite” that consisted of six interrelated policies, totalling more than 21 individual pages of associated requirements. It would be fair to say that the ‘suite’ fell very flat on brigades, many of whom responded most unfavourably to the proposed arrangements, including the tone and needless complexity proposed. Very prominent in volunteer feedback was the principle that volunteers joined CFA to support an emergency service, they did not join to donate countless hours as unpaid public servants to the Victorian Government’s Treasury department.
After undertaking broad consultation with volunteers, VFBV provided formal feedback to CFA in October last year. And while I make no apologies, our feedback was rather forthright and candid and made the point that there was significant volunteer backlash to CFA’s proposals. But rather than just reject and criticise the policy, VFBV provided more than 10 pages of feedback and suggestions of how the arrangements could be adapted and improved to respond to volunteer concerns.
To be honest – it would have been much easier just to provide the criticism.
But what kind of partner would we be if we didn’t try to use our deep organisational knowledge to try and improve the outcome and help CFA improve its proposals and respond to the criticism? This is where your feedback was critical. Without people taking the time to explain why they did not support something – we would not have been able to provide the level of detail and analysis to help explain to CFA the reason behind the overwhelming rejection.
To CFA’s credit, the incoming CFA Chief Financial Officer (Sam Costanzo) who inherited the draft policy when he started in November last year, took all the feedback very constructively. In fact, both he and Robyn Harris as his direct line manager, committed to VFBV that they would diligently go through all the feedback and would methodically work through each of the areas of concern, checking back at regular intervals. And over the proceeding 10 months – that is exactly what they did – not just with VFBV, but also their internal teams so they could better understand why specific policy outcomes were being sought in the first place.
Which leads us to the new policy. A seven-page policy that replaces the six policies and 21 pages previously proposed. Key to the changes are;
- A tiered requirement for brigade financial plans, based on risk and providing simplified processes for brigades based on the level of their funds.
- Enhanced authorisations for brigade/group decision making and empowerment
- Easier to understand record keeping and reporting requirements
- Streamlined fundraising approval processes, and more practical processes for assessing donations and offers of sponsorship.
- Much clearer guidance on operating bank accounts and the use of debit cards
- A commitment by CFA to supporting Secretaries and Treasurers, minimise compliance burdens and provide tailored advice to volunteers
Significantly, CFA reversed and dropped its plans to charge volunteers for annual recognition events, prevent brigades from donating to natural disaster recovery charities, and stopping brigades from being able to lease office equipment like photocopiers and the like.
And while one could argue these were stupid proposals to begin with, I have been impressed with the good will, patience and scale in which CFA was prepared to completely re-write and reconsider its policy in order to respond to volunteer concerns.
A great result, and a good example of us working constructively together to work through the issues and improve the policy.
But this approach requires at least two things. A willingness by both sides to commit to genuine dialog that includes an open mind to reconsider previous positions, and the generous support of volunteers to entrust VFBV with their feedback and the reasons they think something will or will not work that supports our continued advocacy for a result that helps us argue for the changes required.
So, to those that contributed to the feedback on this and other items of late – thankyou. Don’t lose hope, and I hope this gives you confidence that your feedback can in fact make a difference – more often than not - a really big difference.
Joint Committee EOI’s
We are now accepting expressions of interest from volunteers to nominate to the CFA/VFBV Joint Committees for the 2025 calendar year.
If you feel you can contribute and have the time, are passionate about one of the eight streams and want to be an integral part of our Joint Committee process – then please visit our website or talk to your local VFBV State Councillor or VFBV Support Officer for a nomination form.
Nominations are due 25 November 2024.
We are seeking volunteers from broad and diverse backgrounds to participate in our consultative structures. Young members, women and members of culturally diverse backgrounds are highly encouraged to nominate. We also want to attract volunteers from as broad a range of brigade types and risk profiles as possible. If you would like to learn more about what the role entails and how to get involved, please contact your local VFBV Support Officer, State Councillor or Executive Officer Mark Dryden.
SOP Feedback
CFA has recently released another 17 revised SOPs for volunteer feedback and consultation. At time of press, we are currently undertaking a log of changes and will prepare SOP feedback surveys once we have completed our analysis of changes. These will be uploaded to the VFBV website shortly.
Given recent controversy, we are prioritising SOP’s related to Electrical Safety and electrical infrastructure and these will be the first available for feedback.
Given the importance of SOPs in CFA’s operational doctrine, VFBV encourages all senior volunteers to make themselves familiar with the proposed changes and provide feedback ASAP.
Please visit the VFBV website to access drafts and change logs to help guide your feedback.
VFBV Vol Survey
This year’s annual VFBV Vol Survey will shortly be opening.
Visit https://tinyurl.com/vfbv-survey to pre-register and ensure you are notified as soon as it opens.
Big Fills deployed
The VFBV Volunteer Support and Recovery Trust has received all four of the single axle Big Fill trailer pumps that it ordered as part of the final phase of recovery works from the Black Summer bushfires. Each of the Big Fill’s has been donated to groups in the east and north east of the state most heavily impacted by the Black Summer fires. The four groups are; Omeo, Orbost, Mitchell/Tambo and Corryong Groups.
The Big Fills are a single axle trailer mounted pump with a water cooled diesel engine with a capacity of up to 2000 litres per minute at 700kPa. Big fills are a key part of brigades and groups ability to fill trucks quickly from a static water source.
They come equipped with a pneumatic light mast with 4 LED lights for night use as well as a ‘green’ water point strobe light for easy identification. The ability for VFBV to fund these critical pieces of equipment came about from some amazing support from members of the pubic and our good friends from the Barlow Impact Group.
All four Big Fills have now been deployed and seen action. In fact, during a handover presentation, VFBV Executive Officer Mark Dryden and VFBV D11 Vice President Michael Freshwater were at the Lindenow Fire Station where the donated Mitchell and Tambo group Big Fill is being kept, when they noticed thick black smoke billowing from the packing shed nearby.
The Big Fill was hooked up and responded alongside Lindenow Tanker and several other brigades from the District including Bairnsdale and Mt Taylor. After the incident Mr Freshwater confirmed that the Big Fill had proven its worth, and would be a valuable piece of equipment as we move into another busy fire season. VFBV hopes that the trailers will be a valuable resource for firefighters in the seasons ahead.
Pictured: VFBV Board Member Howard Smith (left) handing over a Big Fill to Corryong Group Officer Kevin Whitehead.
2025 State Championship dates
CFA has recently confirmed with VFBV the dates of the 2025 State Championships.
The Championships will again be held in Mooroopna on consecutive weekends in March 2025. The Urban Junior Championship will take place on the weekend of 22 and 23 March.
This will be followed by the Rural Senior and Junior Championships and the Urban Senior Championship on the weekend of 29 and 30 March which will include the Torchlight Procession on the Saturday evening.
Further information regarding entries and judge and official nominations will be available later this year.
Fire Wise – October 2024 online only edition
The October 2024 edition of Fire Wise has been published online only, this edition and past editions are available from the Fire Wise website.
You can support Fire Wise and the role it plays as an independent voice in keeping volunteers informed by becoming a subscriber. To become a subscriber visit the Fire Wise website or contact the Managing Editor of Fire Wise, Gordon Rippon-King either by phone 0402 051 412 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Please update records with Fire Wise
Newly elected Group Officers, Group Secretaries, Brigade Captains and Brigades Secretaries are asked to update their physical and email addresses with Fire Wise as soon as possible so future editions, both printed and electronic, can be forwarded to the correct person, at the correct address.
If the September edition of Fire Wise has gone to previous officers please advise by email or telephone of the name, physical and email address details of the new officer in your place so our database can be updated.
Existing Group Officers, Group Secretaries, Brigade Captains and Brigade Secretaries are requested to provide their email address, if they haven’t already done so, to enable future electronic editions to be forwarded.
VFBV District Presidents, District Secretaries and State Councillors, as well as all brigade and individual subscribers, are requested to send their email address if not already receiving digital editions.
Please include the Group or Brigade you belong to and the office held, and forward this information to Fire Wise by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by telephone on 0402 051 412.
A complimentary copy of Fire Wise, courtesy of VFBV, is sent to each of these officers monthly.
Eight editions per annum are electronic (January, February, April, May, July, August, October and November) and the other four (March, June, September and December) are printed. The printed editions include the VFBV Quarterly Supplement.
Your email addresses will only be used to forward electronic editions.
Your assistance is appreciated in helping us get Fire Wise to the intended people in the quickest amount of time.
ESF Mental Health Showcase 2024
The Emergency Services Foundation will host the third annual Mental Health Showcase at Life Saving Victoria on Friday 11 October 2024.
The event brings together staff and volunteers who are interested in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of Victoria’s emergency service sector.
With support from the Victorian Government, ESF is able to offer 55 funded places for emergency service sector volunteers and accommodation for 40 regional volunteers to attend the event.
For more information and to register visit the ESF website.
Recent articles on the VFBV website
Consultation Dashboard
2025 VFBV/CFA Joint Committee District Nominees Expression of Interest
SOP Feedback – Electrical Safety
2024-25 Urban local competition schedule and updated rule book
Presumptive Legislation Update
Enjoy the VFBV monthly newsletter?
If you enjoy reading the VFBV newsletter each month, why not share it with your fellow volunteers?
Either share this page with others who may enjoy the articles or encourage other volunteers to sign up to receive their own copy via email each month here.
Want to read the VFBV 2-minute briefings from the CFA/VFBV Joint Committees?
The latest edition along with previous editions can be downloaded from the VFBV website here.
More...
Formal consultation has commenced on new proposed Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) relating to electrical safety.
The proposed draft SOP's are available for download from the bottom of this page and contain:
SOP 10.28 - Lithium-ion Batteries Undergoing Thermal Runaway
SOP 10.29 - Electric Vehicle Incidents
Members are encouraged to review the revised SOP's and provide any feedback/suggestions/amendments including indicating support/non-support for the proposed policies.
Feedback can be provided by individuals, brigades and groups.
We have developed a survey for each SOP that walks members through each clause and provides a simple way to provide feedback.
Survey for SOP 10.28 - Lithium-ion Batteries Undergoing Thermal Runaway : https://survey.zohopublic.com.au/zs/OKBscJ
Survey for SOP 10.29 - Electric Vehicle Incidents: https://survey.zohopublic.com.au/zs/y3BsuU
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 due dates on these SOP's are yet to be determined due to the number of items currently out for consultation. But we encourage members to respond ASAP.
All members are welcome and encouraged to provide feedback. If you have any questions, please contact your local State Councilor 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 the survey for each SOP:
SOP 10.28
SOP 10.29 - 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.
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.
Who would have thought?
By Adam Barnett, VFBV Chief Executive Officer
On pages 5 – 8 of the VFBV September Quarterly Supplement that is included in this month’s Fire Wise newspaper, you will find the summary result of our most recent volunteer survey.
The survey was conducted between October 2023 and February 2024, and is the 12th annual survey conducted since its launch back in 2012.
Our survey is a critical and reliable method to capture the views of volunteers as well as monitoring short-and-long term trends and the effectiveness of initiatives aimed at improving CFA. It’s an annual snapshot of volunteer opinion, using questions on issues chosen by CFA volunteers. It’s also one of the key opportunities for CFA volunteers to have their voices both individually and collectively heard, with the results studied by government, the sector and the CFA executive.
More than 2,185 volunteers provided their feedback on their CFA experience, which was 140 higher than the year before which is an outstanding result. This continues to make our survey the largest of its kind across Australia, by a significant margin and I’d like to thank each and every volunteer that participated. Together, we are making a difference, and you are helping improve CFA for generations to come.
So, what do the results tell us?
It tells us that the things within CFA’s direct control are incrementally getting better. Over the seven themes, none have got worse. Four have recorded a slight improvement, and three have remained the same. However, some of the individual measures have gone backwards which emphasis the need for continued vigilance.
The top three areas requiring the most attention, and recording the highest scores for dissatisfaction are; Training; Cooperation across CFA; and Respect and Professionalism.
Training again recorded the highest levels of dissatisfaction across all themes, with a VolWEL of 3.1 which keeps it in the category of ‘critical need for priority attention’. This was one of the themes that did not move this year, with the year before recording a 0.1 positive movement.
A reminder that a high VolWEL is an indication that things are not working well, while a lower VolWEL indicates things are more closely meeting expectation. A VolWEL of zero would mean volunteer expectations are being perfectly met. In our colour coding, we assign a score anywhere between 0 to 0.9 as meeting expectations with anything above 1.0 indicating there is potential for improvement.
When we drill down into the training questions three of the six questions on training recorded a worst result than the year before. Namely, the question “CFA provides enough training opportunities in formats, at times and at locations that make it easy for me to participate” which recorded the worst result with a VolWEL of 3.6 when compared to 3.4 from the year before.
The next worst result was “Most training is available and provided within a reasonable distance from my brigade” recording a VolWEL of 3.2 which compares to 3.0 from the year before.
These two results indicate that opportunity (quantum) and access to training remain the two areas requiring the most support, and are mostly within the remit of District training departments.
On a positive note, the question “CFA provides good leadership training for volunteers in people management, brigade management, conflict resolution and mentoring” recorded a VolWEL of 2.7, which was an improvement of 0.1 from the year before. The related question from the ‘Support from CFA’ theme – “Volunteer leaders in my brigade are effectively supported and empowered to manage my brigade and undertake their roles” scoring a VolWEL of 1.6.
This is likely a reflection of the increased availability and expansion of the Captains Peer Mentor Program, the Women in Leadership Mentoring program and the reintroduction of the Certificate IV in Leadership and Management scholarships. Given all these programs are expected to increase capacity over the next 12 months, and with the reintroduction of the highly regarded Fireline Leadership program commencing shortly, we are hopeful of seeing continued improvement in this measure.
Interestingly the question “CFA’s training expectations of me are fair and reasonable for the roles that I perform” remained unchanged with a VolWEL of 2.0. Given the proposed changes and increased requirements being pursued as part of CFA’s review of Driver training, it will be interesting to watch this metric over the coming years.
In the ‘Cooperation Across CFA’ theme, three of the four questions saw an improvement. However, these gains were wiped out by a jump in dissatisfaction on the question “Volunteers are effectively consulted and involved in decision making at CFA Corporate (headquarters) level.” This question recorded the equal worst result in the survey, scoring a 3.6 which is a 0.2 deterioration from the year before.
While the qualitative analysis is still underway, there are a couple of trends which really jump out when digging deeper into what is going on in this question.
While it appears volunteers have welcomed the increased opportunities to provide feedback to policy discussions, there is a very strong feeling and perception that they feel their feedback is either ignored or just paid lip service. This goes to the heart of whether consultation is genuine or not and resonates very strongly with my observation that volunteers not only expect to be asked what they think, but they also expect decision makers to respond and act on their feedback, demonstrating how it has been used to affect the decision being made.
Over the past year I have had the misfortune of attending several workshops and forums arranged by CFA to gather feedback on a couple of projects that will have significant impacts on volunteers.
To see information nights dressed up as consultation and engagement sessions was frustrating to say the least, not just to me but the other participants also. Death by PowerPoint and simply informing volunteers on what has already been decided is not consultation, and the fact that this metric has gone backwards is a warning sign that volunteers are seeing straight through disingenuous opportunities and puts HQ on notice that volunteers are extremely worried about what they are seeing.
The ‘Respect and Professionalism’ theme was a mixed bag. On the one hand, the question “I respect and appreciate the effort made by CFA to support me as a volunteer” went backwards – recording a VolWEL of 2.4 compared to 2.3 the year before. Reading through the comments, this appears to be mostly driven by perceived budget cuts, and lack of investment by government into the service.
However, on a positive note, the question “In general, CFA staff accept and recognise the professionalism of volunteers” recorded an improvement of 0.2 with a VolWEL of 2.0 which is a very positive sign that the pivot to a stronger and more supportive volunteer culture is starting to be felt across the membership.
Yet again, the areas where decision making is closest to the brigade level as possible recorded by far the best results.
The three best performing metrics within the ‘People Management: My Brigade’ theme are all areas where volunteers have been empowered to make their own decisions. “The environment at my brigade is volunteer-friendly, welcoming to new members and creates good morale” scored a VolWEL of 1.1 indicating high levels of satisfaction. The questions “Workplace bullying is not tolerated in brigades of which I have been a member” and “Volunteers are effectively consulted and involved in decision making at my brigade level” both achieved a VolWEL of 1.3.
In the Recruitment and Retention theme, five of the seven questions recorded an improvement. Yet again, the two best performing areas of the entire survey were the questions “There are no barriers to the roles women can occupy in my brigade” and “People from all cultural backgrounds, different religions, political and personal beliefs are all made welcome at my brigade” scoring 0.7 and 0.6 respectively. Both of these improved over the year before with the cultural background question improving by 0.2 and the no barriers to the roles women can occupy improving by 0.1.
Worrying however were the two questions on youth. The question “My brigade is successful in recruiting younger people as volunteers” scored 2.6 as did the question “My brigade is successful in retaining younger people as volunteers” also recording a VolWEL of 2.6.
Pleasingly, access to administrative support from CFA recorded an improvement, with a VolWEL of 1.6 which is a 0.1 improvement from the year before.
All up, I see a lot of consistency in the survey results with the areas that volunteers tell us are working well, and those areas they feel things are not going well. And while the results are always interesting, the question you should really be asking is so what is being done to drive improvement?
I’m glad you asked, as that is why it is so important for you to participate in the survey each year. We continue to strongly urge and encourage the CFA executive to support new initiatives that are designed specifically to meet a need identified by volunteers through the annual survey and help to drive improvements.
My wish is that far more programs will be created and supported that look to fill a need, rather than solve what I sometimes describe as the imaginary problems identified or prioritised through red tape and the bureaucracy of government and regulators.
The more programs and initiatives that are designed and funded that seek to address the very real and lived experience of volunteers - the closer CFA will come to truly being a volunteer organisation of choice.
The only way to cauterise the declining numbers of volunteers is to accept the fact that by running a volunteer organisation, you actually need to design your policies, procedures, and culture to actually appeal to volunteers and making them feel respected, valued and happy and making a place they actually want to spend time in. In others words – meeting the commitments under the Volunteer Charter, and honouring the statutory requirements under Section 6 of the CFA Act.
Who would have thought eh.
Vale
VFBV were saddened to learn of the passing of VFBV District 22 Council President Leonard Balfour in August.
Leonard held the role of VFBV District 22 Council President from August 2016 until his passing and was also heavily involved in Urban Championships across the state. He was a member of the Mooroopna brigade for more than 35 years after initially joining as a junior member and held many roles in the brigade including Junior Leader, Competition Team Coach, VFBV delegate and Lieutenant.
On behalf of VFBV and all fellow CFA volunteers, we offer our deepest condolences to Leonard’s family, friends, loved ones, the Mooroopna brigade and fellow firefighters at this sad time.
Prize winners
Congratulations to the winners of the 2024/25 VFBV Affiliation Prize Draw!
Thank you to all Brigades/Groups who paid their 2024/25 affiliations prior to 30 June this year and qualified for the early payment prize draw.
The winners and their selected prizes are:
1st prize - Meering West FB (D20) - G-Force Nozzle with Quick connect coupling and Gated Wye with Storz inlet and quick connect outlets
2nd prize - Hardies Hill FB (D15) -5 x Helmet Torches and carry case
3rd prize - Yarck FB (D12) - Root Soaker and Bag
4th prize - Tallangatta Group (D24) - TFT Break apart Nozzle
A big thank you to GAAM Emergency Products and Powdersafe for once again donating these great prizes.
Remember, by affiliating, you are making a vital contribution to the important work we do on behalf of all CFA volunteers. Advocacy, support, research and the provision of trusted and credible advice are all strengthened when volunteers work together and stand united as one.
If you are not sure whether your Brigade or Group’s VFBV or Welfare Fund subscriptions are up to date, please contact your secretary urgently, as we encourage all those who have not yet affiliated to do so as soon as possible. For any enquiries, contact your VFBV Support Officer, State Councillor or call us at the office on 9886 1141.
Urban Skills Workshop
The Urban Competition and Rules Committee is holding a skills workshop prior to the commencement of the 2024/25 competition season on Saturday 5 October at the Melton competition track at the Melton Recreation Reserve.
On the day, workshops will be conducted and facilitated by experienced judges, officials and competitors.
The skills workshops are targeted at both current and prospective judges, officials, coaches and competitors who wish to gain new skills and knowledge or build upon existing skills.
The coach and competitor workshops will cover the use of tray in reel events, rolling on, competitor safety, appliance, Marshall and junior events. While the judge and official workshops will cover all judge roles, including but not limited to judge in the box, announcers, on track judging, starting, and recording.
Committee members will also be on hand to conduct equipment checks prior to the start of the competition season so brigades are encouraged to bring along their competition equipment to ensure that it is ready to go for the upcoming competition season.
If you are interested in attending the skills workshop, please RSVP to the VFBV office via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (03) 9886 1141 by Monday 23rd September.
Volunteer Compensation
VFBV is continuing to monitor arrangements under CFA’s Volunteer Compensation Scheme in light of recent cases that have exposed significant concerns in how some cases are being managed by CFA.
VFBV will continue to monitor and advocate for changes to ensure volunteer confidence in the scheme is restored.
Thank you to all those brigades who have been in touch to ask what they can do to support this advocacy, and thereby ensure all injured volunteers are treated with respect, compassion and above all, protection of their entitlements to ensure they may recover from their injury without the worry and stress of navigating red tape and bureaucracy.
We will continue to report on progress.
Presumptive Legislation Update
The Queensland Government is the latest State Government to update its firefighter presumptive legislation scheme to provide presumptive protection to firefighters who suffer from cancers that have been scientifically demonstrated as likely to be a result of their firefighting service.
Queensland has not only added the remaining cancers introduced by recent changes by the Commonwealth but have also picked up each of the cancers covered by the other states and territories.
This makes the Queensland scheme the strongest in Australia, covering 22 cancers, as well as providing presumption for PTSD and asbestos related diseases.
Victoria continues to lag behind, with its scheme covering 15 cancers and no presumption for PTSD or asbestos related diseases.
Victoria is now behind the Commonwealth, ACT, Tasmania, Queensland and Western Australia, while the Northern Territory covers 15 cancers, but also has presumptive coverage for PTSD and asbestos related diseases.
All Australian volunteer associations are collectively advocating for harmonisation to ensure no matter where a firefighter lives, they are provided equal coverage.
Joint Committee EOI
Our expressions of interest process will open shortly for volunteers to nominate to the CFA/VFBV Joint Committee’s for the 2025 calendar year.
If you feel you can contribute and have the time, are passionate about one of the eight streams and want to be an integral part of our Joint Committee process – then please visit our website or talk to your local VFBV State Councillor or VFBV Support Officer for a nomination form.
Nominations are due 25th November 2024.
We are seeking volunteers from broad and diverse backgrounds to participate in our consultative structures. Young members, women and members of culturally diverse backgrounds are highly encouraged to nominate. If you would like to learn more about what the role entails and how to get involved, please contact your local VFBV Support Officer, State Councillor or Executive Officer Mark Dryden.
SOP Feedback
CFA has recently released another 17 revised SOP’s for volunteer feedback and consultation. At the time of press, we are currently undertaking a log of changes and will prepare SOP feedback surveys once we have completed our analysis of changes. These will be uploaded to the VFBV website shortly.
Given the importance of SOP’s in CFA’s operational doctrine, VFBV encourages all senior volunteers to make themselves familiar with the proposed changes and provide feedback ASAP.
Please visit the VFBV website to access drafts and change logs to help guide your feedback.
Quarterly Supplement
Included with the September 2024 edition of Fire Wise is the latest edition of the VFBV Quarterly Supplement.
The Quarterly Supplement contains 16 pages of relevant news, updates, information on current issues being pursued by VFBV on behalf of members. It also includes additional resources or 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 table at your upcoming meetings for the benefit and knowledge of your members.
AGM
This year’s AGM will be held on Sunday 6th October, following State Council.
Please refer to page 2 of this month’s VFBV Quarterly Supplement for details.
Please update records with Fire Wise
Newly elected Group Officers, Group Secretaries, Brigade Captains and Brigades Secretaries are asked to update their physical and email addresses with Fire Wise as soon as possible so future editions, both printed and electronic, can be forwarded to the correct person, at the correct address.
If the September edition of Fire Wise has gone to previous officers please advise by email or telephone of the name, physical and email address details of the new officer in your place so our database can be updated.
Existing Group Officers, Group Secretaries, Brigade Captains and Brigade Secretaries are requested to provide their email address, if they haven’t already done so, to enable future electronic editions to be forwarded.
VFBV District Presidents, District Secretaries and State Councillors, as well as all brigade and individual subscribers, are requested to send their email address if not already receiving digital editions.
Please include the Group or Brigade you belong to and the office held, and forward this information to Fire Wise by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by telephone on 0402 051 412.
A complimentary copy of Fire Wise, courtesy of VFBV, is sent to each of these officers monthly.
Eight editions per annum are electronic (January, February, April, May, July, August, October and November) and the other four (March, June, September and December) are printed. The printed editions include the VFBV Quarterly Supplement.
Your email addresses will only be used to forward electronic editions. Your assistance is appreciated in helping us get Fire Wise to the intended people in the quickest amount of time.
Recent articles on the VFBV website
Consultation Dashboard
2025 VFBV/CFA Joint Committee District Nominees Expression of Interest
Presumptive Legislation Update
Enjoy the VFBV monthly newsletter?
If you enjoy reading the VFBV newsletter each month, why not share it with your fellow volunteers?
Either share this page with others who may enjoy the articles or encourage other volunteers to sign up to receive their own copy via email each month here.
2025 VFBV/CFA Joint Committee District Nominees Expression of Interest
Written by VFBV
VFBV are seeking expressions of interest from members to be Joint Committee District Nominees for the 2024 VFBV/CFA Joint Committees.
Volunteers who are interested in being part of the VFBV/CFA Joint Committees are encouraged to submit your expression of interest to your local District Council for endorsement by Monday 11th November 2024.
VFBV/CFA Joint Committees are a critical part of the consultative framework, offering a direct line of communication and consultation between volunteers and the state-level decision makers within the CFA.
If you feel you have a passion for one of the eight joint committees and have the time to contribute please contact your local District Council or local VFBV Support Officer to submit your nomination (nomination form available for download at the bottom of the page). In particular, VFBV is seeking greater diversity across our structures and highly encourages nominations across the entire broad and diverse membership.
The eight Joint Committees are:
| Community Safety | Enhancing services for brigades to improve community preparedness, recovery, and resilience in the prevention of fires. |
| Equipment and Infrastructure | Working closely with the infrastructure services and fleet management team at CFA to improve equipment, stations, and appliances. |
|
Member Services |
Consultation with CFA to improve volunteer recruitment, retention, youth, cadets, events, championships and fundraising. |
| Operational Capability | Building brigade/group capability, addressing gaps in service delivery, personal protective clothing and equipment and specialist response. |
|
Operational Performance |
Policy, doctrine and standards to ensure continuous improvement including service delivery standards, safe operating procedures and lessons learned. |
|
People, Culture and Safety |
Improving the welfare and safety of members by improving HR and welfare services and ensuring CFA is a safe place to volunteer. |
|
Technology and Innovation |
Working to improve member access to the best innovations in equipment, communication and technology, mapping and communications. |
| Training | Continuous review and improvement to course design, delivery and access to volunteer training and training equipment. |
As committees need to be of a reasonable size district nominees are appointed to the committees via an expression of interest process and are approved annually by State Council.
The Joint Committee structure allows for selected district nominees to join State Councillors to be a part of planning for the future, developing strategies and raising issues that have been raised by the wider VFBV membership across all Districts.
District Councils are asked to seek expressions of interest from members who wish to participate in the Joint Committees and discuss with them a few key considerations:
- A requirement to attend a minimum of four (4) meetings per year at CFA HQ in Burwood (or virtually as required), usually held on a Saturday or Sunday.
- Relevant subject matter expertise and the ability to actively contribute to the Committees work with a State-wide view of issues.
- A network outside of their own brigade which allow them to communicate views that are not just their own.
- Willingness to report back to District Council and engage with members.
District Council Endorsement Process
District Council Executives have been requested to review all district nominations and provide a recommendation and priority order prior to submission to the VFBV Executive Officer.
District Councils have been encouraged to have nominations returned to them by Monday 11th November 2024, to allow time for the District Council prioritisation process prior to submission to the VFBV Executive Officer by Monday 25th November 2024.
With District Councils encouraged to wait until all nominations are received before ranking nominations in priority order and submitting all nominations in one batch to the VFBV Executive Officer.
All nominees must be endorsed by their local VFBV District Council.
Questions?
Contact your local VFBV Support Officer or State Councillors to find out more about the VFBV/CFA Joint Committees.
Proposed 2025 Joint Committee Meeting Dates
(These have not yet been endorsed, and are subject to change)
| Round One Meetings | Saturday 1st March 2025 Sunday 2nd March 2025 Saturday 5th April 2025 Sunday 6th April 2025 |
| Round Two Meetings | Saturday 28th June 2025 Sunday 29th June 2025 Saturday 5th July 2025 Sunday 6th July 2025 |
| Round Three Meetings | Saturday 23rd August 2025 Sunday 24th August 2025 Saturday 30th August 2025 Sunday 31st August 2025 |
| Round Four Meetings | Saturday 22nd November 2025 Sunday 23rd November 2025 Saturday 29th November 2025 Sunday 30th November 2025 |
Sickening decision
By Adam Barnett, VFBV Chief Executive Officer
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness…it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair...”
And while the opening quote requires no introduction, Dickens’ use of anaphora (repeated words) in his opening lines of The Tale of Two Cities, is a good backdrop to my description of our relationship with CFA as eternally optimistic...but complicated at times.
I spoke last month about the strength of VFBV’s relationship with CFA being due to our commitment to working cooperatively together wherever we can, but disagreeing where me must.
And while VFBV works incredibly hard to have these disagreements behind closed doors, there comes a time when those efforts are unsuccessful and require us to engage more publicly. This is one of those times.
Recently, Supreme Court judge The Hon. Richards handed down her findings against the CFA who had terminated a volunteer firefighter’s compensation for PTSD.
The volunteer joined CFA at the age of 19 and served as an active first responder for 24 years. His brigade was a busy structural brigade and was also an accredited road accident rescue brigade, where he attended countless incidents ranging from house fires, motor vehicle accidents, hazmat incidents and bushfires during his time with CFA.
Over time, he started to suffer from depression and anxiety and originally brushed it off to other life events. When things started to get worse, he sought treatment from his general practitioner and psychologist. He was then referred to a psychiatrist who, in 2018, diagnosed him to be suffering from major depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In the psychiatrist’s view, the PTSD was directly related to his service with the CFA, and the repeated trauma he had been exposed to.
When he made a claim under CFA’s volunteer compensations scheme, CFA arranged for him to be assessed by their own independent psychiatrist, who confirmed the original diagnosis of PTSD with delayed onset and confirmed that his service to CFA as a volunteer firefighter was the significant contributing factor to his condition of PTSD.
Following this report, CFA accepted the claim, and commenced payments for ongoing reasonable medical expenses and weekly payments for replacement labour.
Between 2019 and 2022 two more psychiatrists confirmed the diagnosis, with one of these appointed and instructed by CFA to perform another independent medical examination.
Then in 2023, CFA went to yet another psychiatrist and asked the volunteer to again submit to another examination. This time, CFA chose to seek the opinion of Associate Professor Doherty, who provided a controversial opinion after a single consultation that not only did the volunteer not suffer from PTSD, but that it was impossible because there was no such thing as ‘delayed onset PTSD’ and in his view PTSD cannot by definition occur where the traumatisation of symptoms are not present within the first six months.
This was completely at odds with all the other psychiatrists, yet based on this single report, CFA then proceeded to write to the volunteer advising they “preferred A/Prof Doherty’s opinion” over all others and advised they would be terminating his entitlements.
The volunteer responded to this proposal, and undertook yet another independent medical examination, who was now the fifth psychiatrist (sixth if you count the original psychologist) who confirmed the diagnosis of PTSD, and that it was caused by his CFA service. This psychiatrist rebuffed A/Prof Doherty’s view and opined that most patients who end up with PTSD are not acutely unwell in the immediate aftermath, and that a gradual build up is typical.
Following receipt of this report and choosing not to engage with any of the five previous psychiatrists who had all diagnosed PTSD, CFA again wrote to the volunteer advising they still preferred A/Prof Doherty’s opinion and terminated his compensation.
The volunteer argued in court that it was unreasonable for CFA to ‘cherry pick’ the medical evidence. CFA denied the suggestion that it had cherry-picked.
The Court, when examining this chain of events, was scathing of CFA, with the Judge determining:
“The CFA’s decision to terminate [the volunteer’s] entitlements to compensation was legally unreasonable. As the sole arbiter of the merits of [the volunteer’s] claim, it changed its mind about his entitlement to compensation on the basis of a single medical opinion that was contrary to all of the opinions it had previously accepted. It did so without engaging with the reason why A/Prof Doherty held a different opinion, and without considering whether it should accept the premise of his opinion. The CFA’s reasons for decision disclosed no intelligible foundation for preferring A/Prof Doherty’s opinion and its underlying premise.”
In response to CFA’s defence and explanation the judge said in her summary:
“With respect, this explanation entirely missed the point of difference between A/Prof Doherty’s and all the other experts. A/Prof Doherty’s departure from the previous opinions was not due to a different or more thorough assessment of [the volunteer’s] medical history and clinical records. It was because of his asserted premise that there is no such condition as delayed onset (or delayed expression) PTSD…”
Her Honor found that CFA’s determination to terminate the volunteer’s entitlement to compensation was legally unreasonable, and warned:
“Another dimension of the unreasonableness of the CFA’s decision arises from the fact that the CFA administers the compensation scheme for the benefit of all volunteers, and to support the viability of the CFA as a volunteer fire service. It is a significant matter for the administration of the scheme for the CFA to deny liability for compensation for delayed onset PTSD, on a basis that may not reflect the general consensus of psychiatric opinion. If the CFA takes a consistent approach in other similar cases, its unquestioning acceptance of A/Prof Doherty’s opinion that there is no diagnosable and recognised condition of delayed onset PTSD may have consequences for the ongoing capacity of the CFA to provide fire services in country Victoria.”
Her Honour then made an order setting aside CFA’s decision.
My reaction to this sordid tale is likely very similar to many of yours. I was angry, disgusted and then ultimately left with a feeling of deep disappointment that we could find ourselves here in 2024. What governance failures have occurred that has allowed an organisation established by Parliament to support a volunteer emergency service, to stray so far away from what is a pretty basic responsibility to look after those of us who get injured?
Each volunteer who I have observed hearing this story, I have seen the blood drain from their faces as they shake their head as the full consequences become evident. In my view this is a CFA home goal, and this incident will send a shiver down the spine of every CFA volunteer, who will now have a question mark in their head as to if they were to suffer a similar fate, would they also be left unprotected and abandoned at their time of greatest need?
A service that relies on people to put themselves in harm’s way in order to protect others cannot operate without confidence that it will look after any members who get hurt in the process. It pains me to say that CFA’s behaviour in this instance was egregious.
The CFA volunteer compensation scheme was hard fought for by the volunteer associations and embedded into the Country Fire Authority Act to ensure volunteers would never receive any less protection than their paid counterparts who are covered by WorkSafe. It was also intended to be designed specifically to cater to volunteers unique circumstances. It is therefore sacrosanct to VFBV, and any attack on volunteers’ rights and protections must be met head on.
VFBV has demanded that CFA issue an apology to the volunteer, and immediately reinstate his compensation and support. We have also requested CFA undertake a review of CFA’s volunteer compensation operating model and related processes to ensure current arrangements are adequate and meet our expectations. We must look at what decisions have been delegated to middle management, and what checks and balances are in place to safeguard against such bias creeping into decision making.
In an effort to ensure something like this can never happen again, VFBV is demanding the introduction of independent medical panels to deal with controversial or outlier medical views and other decisions.
We have also advised CFA that we intend on pursuing a review of the CFA Regulations, including exploring appeal mechanisms to ensure a volunteer does not have to go all the way to the Supreme Court just to overturn what is blatantly a miscarriage of justice. Members would recall we have previously called for a Volunteer Ombudsman.
No volunteer can have any doubt that their ability to provide for themselves and their families can ever be in question should they be hurt on the fireground.
This whole episode starts to sound remarkably like the fight we had to have to get fire services to recognise the link between firefighting and cancer. Proving PTSD is not like proving a broken arm or broken leg. The sectors’ knowledge and understanding of PTSD is still evolving.
VFBV has renewed its call for presumptive legislation for PTSD. The Commonwealth, the ACT, NT, QLD and Tasmania have already added PTSD to their presumptive schemes for emergency service workers, and VFBV has been calling on the Victorian Government to do the same.
It saddens me to no end that a brave sick volunteer not only had to battle their illness contracted by their CFA service, but at the same time then had to fight the very same organisation just for a fair go. He deserved better, and so does each and every other CFA volunteer in the state. Our pursuit of presumptive rights does not let CFA off the hook.
As at writing; CFA is in the process of reinstating the volunteer’s entitlements; have agreed to a review; and has provided in principle support for medical panels.
VFBV will not rest until these issues have been resolved to our satisfaction, and we call on all volunteers to support us in our pursuit of fair and reasonable arrangements that prioritise a volunteer’s health and wellbeing above all else and ensure that our compensation arrangements not only meet the expectations of the membership, but sufficiently serve the legislations intent of providing an organisational arrangement designed to encourage, maintain and strengthen the capacity of volunteers to provide CFA services.
A genuine relationship that is honest requires transparency, and it is important to the broader membership that we make you aware of our efforts in trying to right the various wrongs that get reported to us from time to time, while also maintaining constructive relationships to best influence how these matters are resolved.
To this end, we will keep you updated of our progress, but fear not – we will remain frank and fearless and will not rest until these matters are resolved.
Volunteer engagement survey
All volunteers are encouraged to complete the Volunteer engagement and communication survey that is currently available on the Engage Victoria website.
This survey is an opportunity for you to provide feedback direct to the Victorian Government about what information you receive, and your expectations of what opportunities are provided to volunteers and their representative bodies to consult with the Victorian Government on matters that affect them.
This is an opportunity for you to directly tell government the importance of the government engaging with those who represent you.
The survey will only take about 5 minutes, and is confidential with only deidentified results being reported. VFBV has reviewed the survey and encourages all CFA volunteers to complete it.
The survey is available on the Engage Victoria website and will close on 9 September 2024.
Privacy and Security Concerns
Delegates to VFBV State Council have raised concerns on behalf of member brigades worried about CFA’s decision to collect and store volunteer’s drivers licence numbers and expiry dates.
Following recent attention to data breaches involving Optus, Medibank and the cyber breach on FRV, members are understandably concerned and anxious about CFA’s storage of personal information that could be potentially used to commit identify fraud against them.
While VFBV was aware of CFA’s pursuit of exemptions under the National Heavy Vehicle Law which has resulted in CFA needing to record licence numbers of drivers of fatigue regulated vehicles (trucks 12T or over), we were somewhat taken by surprise at the Chief Officer’s insistence that he wanted every single driver to provide their licence details into CFA systems regardless of whether they drove a fatigue regulated vehicle or not.
VFBV has formally requested details on how this information is being collected, stored and protected, including what cyber security measures have been put in place to ensure this information is safe (encryption) and who has access to this information. We have also sought information on whether CFA has conducted an independent security audit on the system that is intended to store this information to reassure members about the systems privacy.
Travel reimbursement rate
CFA has agreed to a VFBV request for it to review its volunteer travel reimbursement rate, pointing out that the rate set by the Australian Taxation Office has changed twice since CFA revised its rate to $0.78 back in 2022.
The ATO set the rate to $0.88 effective 1 July 2024, and CFA has confirmed that effective immediately, it will be applying the $0.88 c/km rate to all volunteer travel reimbursement, and that all the various forms held by CFA were in the process of being updated.
VFBV welcomes this announcement and thanks CFA for its prompt attention to this matter.
Interim CEO
Deputy CFA Chair Tony Peake OAM announced that CFA Board had appointed Robyn Harris as CFA’s interim CEO while the Board conducts a search and appointment process for the ongoing CEO role. Robyn has been with CFA since November 2021.
VFBV warmly welcomes Robyn to the role and looks forward to working with her.
While Robyn is in the interim CEO role, her position of Group General Manager Strategic Services will be filled by Sam Costanzo, who will retain his duties as CFA’s Chief Financial Officer and Chief Procurement Officer.
VFBV Board Vacancies
Vacancies on the VFBV Board will arise when the terms of four VFBV Board members expire on 1 October 2024. Of the four members whose terms are expiring, two are eligible for re-appointment.
VFBV invites applications from any CFA volunteer who is motivated by the prospect of making a difference and believes they have the skills to contribute to the VFBV Board.
The role of a board member involves contributing to VFBV direction, policy determination and monitoring the performance and governance of the Association. This includes actively contributing to policy discussion, consulting with CFA volunteers and contributing to the identification and management of strategic issues.
VFBV is seeking applications from gender and culturally diverse candidates in addition to a diverse range of skills and experience including applications from diverse brigade types and classifications.
Members should familiarise themselves with the VFBV Board member role statement and key selection criteria available from the VFBV website or via the office at (03) 9886 1141.
Applications close on Monday 2 September 2024.
Affiliation
Again in 2023/24, CFA Brigades and Groups showed it is more important than ever that volunteers have a strong, united, independent and credible voice with almost 95% of Brigades demonstrating strong support for VFBV’s important work representing and advocating for all CFA volunteers. Thank you to all brigades and groups who affiliated last year.
Brigade and Group secretaries have received the 2024/25 renewal notices for your Brigade/Groups’ VFBV Affiliation and Welfare Fund subscriptions with a due date of 30th June, 2024.
The Board is determined that brigades/groups should benefit from the strong governance of the association and have reduced the affiliation rate from $84 to $75.
We encourage Brigades to also subscribe to the VFBV Welfare Fund which is a capital fund and an exclusive benefit to affiliated members with VFBV funding all the administration and operating costs ensuring 100% of funds received go directly to CFA volunteers experiencing personal hardship. The VFBV Welfare Fund provides small grants up to $5,000 to assist volunteer members and long service ex members and has distributed more than $2.5 million dollars to volunteers in need since its inception.
SOP feedback
CFA has recently released another 17 revised SOPs for volunteer feedback and consultation. At time of press, we are currently undertaking a log of changes and will prepare SOP feedback surveys once we have completed our analysis of changes. These will be uploaded to the VFBV website shortly.
Given the importance of SOPs in CFA’s operational doctrine, VFBV encourages all senior volunteers to make themselves familiar with the proposed changes and provide feedback ASAP.
Please visit the VFBV website to access drafts and change logs to help guide your feedback.
Fire Wise – August 2024 online only edition
The August 2024 edition of Fire Wise has been published online only, this edition and past editions are available from the Fire Wise website.
You can support Fire Wise and the role it plays as an independent voice in keeping volunteers informed by becoming a subscriber. To become a subscriber visit the Fire Wise website or contact the Managing Editor of Fire Wise, Gordon Rippon-King either by phone 0402 051 412 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Recent articles on the VFBV website
Consultation Dashboard
Feedback Requested – Standard Operating Procedures (Various)
Presumptive Legislation Update
Enjoy the VFBV monthly newsletter?
If you enjoy reading the VFBV newsletter each month, why not share it with your fellow volunteers?
Either share this page with others who may enjoy the articles or encourage other volunteers to sign up to receive their own copy via email each month here.
Want to read the VFBV 2-minute briefings from the CFA/VFBV Joint Committees?
The latest edition along with previous editions can be downloaded from the VFBV website here.
