VFBV

National Volunteer Week is being celebrated this week between 16th and 22nd May. Our celebration of volunteer week acknolwedges the power of volunteering to bring people together.

This year’s national theme is 'Better Together' which sums up CFA nicely. Emergency services volunteering allows for people to come together, build safer communities and create a better society for everyone.

Adam Barnett, VFBV Chief Executive Officer, said that volunteers have played such a vital role in bringing their communities together over the past two years of the pandemic, bushfires and floods.

“VFBV passes on our deep gratitude, respect and appreciation to all CFA volunteers for the work you do in your communities 24/7.”

“This has been evident throughout the pandemic where CFA volunteers have maintained their world class service delivery, adapted community education activities to ensure they continue uninterrupted, and dealt with a fire season that bought fire, storm and floods."

"You have stood by your communities through thick and thin and without fuss, like you always do.”

"Victorian's are safer because of the work you do, and we could not be more proud of you, your brigades and all those that support you in the work you do to protect lives and property."

Adam also noted that it’s not only CFA volunteers who contribute to the safety of Victoria. There are also volunteers from VicSES, St Johns Ambulance, Ambulance Victoria, Life Saving Victoria, Coast Guard, Salvation Army, Red Cross and Victorian Council of Churches Emergencies Ministry – just to name a few, who also work together to contribute their time, skills and resources to their communities as part of Victoria's 100,000 emergency management volunteers.

The 3V’s report “Uncovering the hidden value” which VFBV contributed to as part of the reference group, conservatively estimates that Victoria’s 100,000 emergency service volunteers contribute $1.9 to $2.5 billion in value each year. You can read more about the 3V’s report here.

From VFBV thank you and well done for your incredible dedication and service to the people of Victoria and beyond.

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.

Want to read more about CFA volunteers? 

VFBV regularly publish stories about CFA volunteers, please explore our website to discover some of these amazing stories.