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Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) nominations
Written by Peter Beaton
Think about the volunteers you look up to; the volunteers you admire the most. The ones who have given distinguished service to CFA, volunteers and the community.
The Australian Fire Services Medal is worthy recognition for those special volunteers, and reflects well on their Brigade and all CFA volunteers.
CFA is now gathering nominations for the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) for the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2016.
Nominations must be in by 1 November 2015.
All volunteers, auxiliary members and full-time staff of CFA are eligible for the medal. The Australian Fire Service Medal is not reserved for senior officers – it is open to all levels of CFA.
The sole criterion for the award of the Australian Fire Service Medal is distinguished service.
“Distinguished service” includes service that is above and beyond the normal zealous and faithful discharge of normal or ordinary service, whether short term or prolonged. It could be a special achievement or success in the performance of duty in difficult or unusual circumstances, or sustained high-level performance with outcomes and recognisable benefits to CFA, the fire service in general or the community. The service must be exceptional. Long service should not be used as a basis for making nominations.
See below to download the AFSM Nomination Form, the Nominator’s Guide and the Nomination Guidelines.
VFBV provides a range of awards, medals and badges for Brigades and Auxiliaries.
An application form and process applies for the Gold Star Award. All other awards are available by contacting VFBV by phone: 9886 1141, fax 9886 1618 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
See below for downloads; the Gold Star application form, the order form for Life Member jewels, and a full price list with pictures of the medals, badges and awards available.
Items available include;
- VFBV logo pin badge (also available with the words Ladies Auxiliary or Auxiliary)
- VFBV Gold Star award – for 30 years’ service in support of the Association
- Brigade Life Member Jewels
- Ladies Auxiliary or Auxiliary Life Member Jewels
- Ladies Auxiliary or Auxiliary long services badges
- Ladies Auxiliary or Auxiliary office bearer badges
- Auxiliary Name badges
The much anticipated CFA Honours and Awards poster and manual became available early in 2013.
They were a working collaboration between CFA and VFBV, and have brought surety and transparency to the Honours and Awards system.
The manual offers details of the criteria for awarding a variety of Honours and Awards, with categories including Bravery and Valour, Distinguished Service, Long Service and Notable Awards.
You can download the Manual and Wall Poster below.
Country Fire Authority (CFA)
The Official public website of the victorian Country Fire Authority
CFA Online (Brigades Online)
Private site for CFA Members only
CFA Pix
CFA's official image gallery
Emergency Memberlink
Emergency Memberlink is a recognition program for CFA and VICSES staff and volunteers that provides benefits and discounts to our members.
Australasian Fire Authorities Council AFAC
The Australasian Fire Authorities Council (AFAC) is a peak fire and emergency services industry body established by its members to collaborate on matters of international, national and regional importance.
Australian Government Disaster Assist
Australian Government assistance to Australians affected by disasters, both in Australia and overseas.
Bushfire CRC
Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre
Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE)
The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) is Victoria's lead government agency for sustainable management of water resources, climate change, bushfires, public land, forests and ecosystems.
Emergency Management Australia (EMA)
EMA pursues a cooperative and collaborative relationship with Australian Government agencies such as the Department of Finance and Administration, Geoscience Australia and the Bureau of Meteorology.
Bureau of Meteorology (BOM)
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology is a world-class national meteorological agency providing expertise and services to assist Australians in dealing with the harsh realities of our
natural environment, including drought, floods, fires, storms, tsunami and tropical cyclones.
The Fireman
Since 1947 ‘The Fireman’ has provided news and information to CFA brigades, keeping fire-fighters up to date on developments within the organisation.
Victorian Emergency Services Association (VESA)
VESA was formed in 1983 with the objective of providing a focus for representing the views of Volunteers of VICSES on issues which affect them.
Youth Central
Youth Central is the Victorian Government's web-based initiative for young people aged 12-25
The Council of Australian Volunteer Fire Associations (CAVFA) is a collaboration of eleven volunteer fire brigade associations within Australia. The Council was established to give volunteer fire-fighters a united voice in discussions and negotiations with government and key stakeholders.
Applications Now Open - 2017 VFBV Leadership Scholarships
Written by Peter Beaton
APPLY NOW - VFBV’s Volunteer Leadership Program scholarships will be available again in 2017 and we are now calling for Expressions of Interest from potential participants.
The two 2017 courses will be based in the Euroa (District 22) and Ararat (District 16) areas, they will run from late March to the end of the year, and successful participants will achieve the nationally recognised Certificate IV in Leadership & Management. Both locations have been chosen based on an effort to rotate the courses across the State, and their location on major highways to make travel to and from those areas as easy as possible for members from neighbouring Districts.
The VFBV Volunteer Leadership Program has already produced over 250 graduates and many are in leadership positions with their agencies, volunteer representative organisations or local communities. Graduates will graduate with a nationally recognised Cert IV in Leadership & Management (BSB42015).
You can download the application pack for CFA volunteers here. We are again offering scholarships to volunteers from Ambulance Victoria, Australian Volunteer Coast Guard, Life Saving Victoria, VICSES and St John. You can download a multi-agency application pack here.
The VFBV Leadership Scholarship course has been designed for volunteers, with a mix of lectures and interactive activities designed to suit the needs of adult students, as well as ample support using distance learning methods. The course involves 12 units, eight face to face days (six Saturdays and two Sundays) throughout the year, with course work and assignments spread throughout the year.
The course includes units on;
- leadership
- decision making
- planning
- safety and risk management
- team effectiveness
- making presentations
- managing projects, and
- engaging the community.
Nominations close Friday 27th January 2017
Any questions or queries can be directed to any of VFBV’s Support Officers. You can download the flyer here and a copy is being posted to all Brigades as part of VFBV’s regular mail-out.
This is an exciting program and has built an extremely well respected reputation in the sector. Applications always exceed places available, so please encourage your members and keep in mind that your Brigade Captain’s endorsement is very powerful when assessing potential students.
CFA/VFBV Natural Disaster Relief Fund
Emergency Service volunteers are often victims of the disaster too, losing homes, businesses and other assets while they work to protect their communities.
Funds are in place to assist volunteers who have been directly impacted by natural disasters. The funds are volunteer run, and are designed to respond quickly to help volunteer firefighters in need.
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How to Donate
To help Victorian Volunteer firefighters, CFA & VFBV modified our existing Drought Relief Fund that has been operating since 2007 to update it to a Natural Disaster Support Fund. All funds collected will be used to support Victorian CFA volunteers and their immediate families affected by Natural disasters such as Flood, Drought and Fire.
Branch: Bendigo Bank Account name: CFA/VFBV Support Fund BSB: 633-000 Account number: 132 481 060
The fund is administered by a sub-committee of the VFBV Board, which makes it low on red tape and quick to help those in greatest need. The fund operates in the same way that the CFA/VFBV Drought Support Fund operated, every cent donated will go directly to volunteers. No administration costs are deducted from the Fund - they are borne entirely by CFA and VFBV.
Donations can be made to VFBV's fund by visiting any Bendigo Bank branch and using the following details:
Account name: CFA/VFBV Support Fund BSB: 633-000 Account number: 132 481 060
Or by posting a cheque made payable to;
"CFA/VFBV Support Fund" and mailed to:
CFA/VFBV Support Fund C-/ Adam Barnett, Executive Officer PO Box 453 Mt Waverly VIC 3149
