About 
VFBV News (201)
Huntly CFA volunteers light up the town with safety messages
Huntly CFA volunteers are shining a light on fire safety with a new initiative to grab the attention of passing motorists on the Midland Highway.
The brigade has erected a large electronic LED sign on the front of the fire station to provide community safety messages and information.
The 3-metre long by 0.5-metre wide sign will feature advisory messages like fire restriction periods or Total Fire Ban days, and special alerts if there is a fire in the area.
Brigade member and former captain Alan Roberts said the LED sign would help the brigade to better communicate with the community.
“Like lots of brigades we have a sandwich board sign that we put out on Total Fire Ban days, but that’s a pretty basic way of communicating a single message,” Mr Roberts said.
The brigade investigated a range of options, such as vinyl signs that could attach to the fence, but decided an LED sign would be the most effective and flexible option.
“I had driven through Nhill which has a smaller LED sign at the front of their fire station and it struck me that a sign where you could have a series of programmable messages and the ability to create specific messages was a much better idea than vinyl signs that would wear out,” Mr Roberts said.
“It’s one of only a few such signs we know of in District 2,” Mr Roberts said.
The brigade obtained permits from the CFA, VicRoads and City of Greater Bendigo for the $6000 sign, which was funded through brigade fund-raising and a grant from the Bendigo Northern District Community Enterprise.
About 15,000 cars drive past the Huntly Fire Station on the Midland Highway every day.
Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV) CEO Adam Barnett said the sign was a great example of volunteers taking the initiative to improve community safety.
“This shows how volunteers put community safety at the forefront of everything they do,” Mr Barnett said.
Commendation for long-serving Bunyip CFA volunteer
John Beavis is soon going to need a bigger loungeroom wall.
Mr Beavis, 83, has to find space for his latest Commendation for Service as a CFA volunteer for more than 60 years, but his display of certificates is already looking a bit clogged.
The new framed certificate will hang alongside life memberships for Bunyip fire Brigade, Flinders Urban Fire Brigades Association, East Central Zone Fire Brigades Association, Combined Gippsland Fire Brigades Association, No. 8 Fire Control Regional Council, and Drouin-Bunyip Competition Team.
He also has long service certificates from the Eastern Districts Fire Brigades Association, as president of Regional Council 8 from 1986-88, CFA certificate of Appreciation for 30 years’ service and Victorian Urban Fire Brigades Association, the forerunner to Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV), in appreciation for service as an official at competitions.
Then there’s his Australia Day citizen of the year nomination, and certificates of thanks for supporting the Good Friday appeal and Hillview Bunyip Aged Care, where he has instructed staff on the use of portable fire extinguishers for more than 20 years.
“They’re all on my loungeroom wall. Some are up a bit high to see,” he said. “You don’t go out of your way to look for recognition or awards, but if they come along you appreciate them.”
The latest commendation stands as one of his most memorable. “It blew me away,” Mr Beavis said. “I had my youngest daughter with me and then when I looked up my other two daughters walked in. It was very much appreciated.”
Mr Beavis, 83, officially joined Dromana brigade in 1956
“For a few years before that my Dad was in the brigade and the alarm would go off and I’d tag along,” he said.
After five years at Dromana, Mr Beavis moved to Bunyip for a work promotion and joined the local brigade a few years later when there was a major fire.
“It’s something I’ve always enjoyed for the comradeship and in giving something back to your community,” he said. “Volunteering is an integral part of the community, not only in CFA but in a lot of other organisations as well.”
Although he no longer turns out for emergencies, Mr Beavis is still involved as a competition official and in community safety.
“I enjoy that side of it, especially meeting people from other brigades,” he said.
Mr Beavis was brigade secretary for 30 years and treasurer for a number of years, and brigade delegate to several associations.
VFBV CEO Adam Barnett said Mr Beavis typified the volunteering spirit of regional Victorians.
“Volunteers like John play a huge role in the community, not only in protecting people and assets close to home and far afield as volunteer firefighters, but in advocating for community safety and helping behind the scenes,” Mr Barrett said.
Learn more about CFA’s world-respected surge capacity on the VFBV website.
Alexandra volunteer recognised for dedicated service
Volunteer firefighter Alex Caughey won’t let anything get in the way of his contribution to community safety.
Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV) recently presented a plaque to Mr Caughey recognising nearly 30 years of service as District 12 secretary for the VFBV and its urban and rural predecessors
At 69, Mr Caughey has stopped turning out to fires due to his battle with Parkinson’s Disease, but he’s determined to continue making a mark on community safety.
“I no longer turn-out to incidents but I’m a long way from finished with the CFA and VFBV,” he said. “Parkinson’s disease has put the brakes on things but I do a bit with the Fire Equipment Maintenance team and just completed my St Johns refresher and the two fire safety units.”
Mr Caughey joined the Eildon CFA in 1991 after moving from Melbourne to take up a job with Victorian Fisheries.
“When we moved here, we made a decision to become involved with a community service; my wife got involved with local groups and I joined the CFA, encouraged by brigade lieutenant Bruce Luckman,” he said.
During his time with the Eildon brigade Mr Caughey was involved with developing a fundraising strategy to purchase a small tanker, was part of a working party which designed and built a purpose-built staging area trailer which is still in service, and worked as a volunteer trainer and assessor across Districts 12 and 22.
Mr Caughey soon became District 12 secretary for the Victorian Urban Fire Brigades Association (VUFBA), the VFBV predecessor, and stayed in the role until the most recent election. He also took on secretarial duties for his brigades.
With the Alexandra brigade he was involved with campaign fires and multi-agency task forces. “Alexandra was a large, relatively accessible brigade and was often the launching point for busloads of firefighters and brigade members gained new skills in operational support. A new expression crept into our vocabulary “surge capacity’ and Mr Caughey became a strike team leader across Victoria and interstate.
He has also taken on the task of consolidating and documenting the brigade’s history. “I’m determined to continue contributing to community safety,” he added.
He has been a member of CFA and VFBV’s Community Safety Advisory Committee for a number of years.
In the late 1990s Mr Caughey joined CFA as a Community Education Coordinator. “The CFA was just getting into the serious business of talking to the community and I was there right at the beginning,” he said.
“It’s an incredibly important role in reaching out and encouraging people and communities to step up and take responsibility for themselves and to be prepared.”
He has been a member of CFA and VFBV’s Community Safety Advisory Committee for a number of years and is the brigade’s community engagement officer. “The brigade takes this role seriously and has raised its community profile,” he said. “A couple of weeks ago we were visiting a caravan park with 20-plus permanent residents to have a sausage sizzle and talk caravan safety.
Mr Caughey remains committed to the VFBV and volunteering. “It gets in your blood and becomes an important part of your life. The VFBV is an essential organisation,” he said. “It has played an incredibly important role in making things happen in the CFA and acting on things for volunteers and also in terms of community safety.
“Everyone needs to do something that makes a difference.”
VFBV CEO Adam Barnett said Mr Caughey’s commitment typified the community spirit of regional Victorians.
“Volunteers like Alex make a huge difference in the community and in brigades,” Mr Barnett said. “Alex has had significant roles as secretary and as a strike team leader, improving our important surge capacity when major fires occur,” he said. “Now he illustrates the diversity of brigades by continuing the very important role of advocating for community safety and helping behind the scenes.”
Learn more about CFA’s world-respected surge capacity on the VFBV website.
Flowerdale CFA volunteers return the favour to help NSW
Flowerdale was devastated by the Black Saturday fires but the destruction never dampened the dedication of local volunteer firefighters.
Now with NSW reeling from fire, the Flowerdale community is repaying some of the support it received in 2009.
At the weekend Flowerdale CFA volunteers inspired the local community to raise $1000 to donate to the Rainbow Flats Rural Fire Service brigade which lost its station and some equipment while houses were destroyed in the town.
Thirteen Flowerdale district people died in the 2009 fires and many local houses were destroyed. The fire station was damaged but survived.
Captain Brian Makin said the community had rallied to make the brigade’s annual open day a successful fundraiser.
“Our treasurer Trudie Gouge was watching the news and saw what happened at Rainbow Flats and suggested we donate the money from our annual open day to support the brigade,” Captain Makin said.
“We received money from New South Wales and we had personnel come down here to help…we’re just one brigade returning a favour.”
Captain Makin said the brigade was thankful for the support it received after the Black Saturday fires and the community was keen to support the fundraiser. “We put up a big board explaining the donation and people were happy to support it,” he said. “New South Wales came to assist us with money and people, now we’re repaying them.”
The open day, which included stallholders from the regular Flowerdale market, also carried important fire safety messages.
“We handed out fire prevention material and did demonstrations on fire safety,” Captain Makin said. “Our area is slowly browning up and on a bad day a fire would push along.”
Brigade volunteers have been to NSW to support the massive campaign. First lieutenant Ian Charles has had two trips along with firefighters Gabby Denk and Glen Woods.
The nearby Whittlesea Freemason’s Lodge is also donating to the NSW fire appeal.
Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV) CEO Adam Barnett said the brigade’s donation showed how volunteers reached out to help communities in different ways during times of crisis.
“Not only has the Flowerdale brigade sent volunteers to help on the fire ground, they have dug deep to raise money to help a fellow brigade get back on its feet,” Mr Barnett said.
“This is another example of CFA volunteers supporting communities near and far.”
Learn more about CFA’s world-respected surge capacity on the VFBV website.
South-east Victorian CFA volunteers help ease NSW and Qld fire threat
More than 100 south-east Victorian volunteer firefighters have so far helped to ease the fire threat in NSW and Queensland as part of a huge mobilisation of support.
Along with volunteers from across Victoria, about 150 from the south-east have joined the interstate campaign, another example of the strength of the state’s volunteer CFA system.
Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV) CEO Adam Barnett said this reflected the commitment and readiness of volunteers to help in times of crisis.
“Volunteers play an important role in our communities every day of the year, but when major disasters happen their training, dedication and professionalism really come to the fore,” Mr Barnett said. “To be able to give their time to help interstate is a fantastic contribution.”
VFBV District 27 President and Yallourn North volunteer Lance King was one of the strike team members and said the efforts had been appreciated.
“Everyone you drive past waves at you; it makes you feel like you’re doing something good for the community,” he said.
Mr King was one of about 150 volunteers to fly from Melbourne with the Royal Airforce, following a similar deployment earlier in the week.
Based at Richmond Airforce Base, Mr King and other volunteers were involved in community assurance work, clearing around properties and other asset protection, manning communications vehicles and backburning.
The deployment was hard work. “You might get in between 9 or 11 at night depending on how far you go and what work you’re doing and you’re on the bus at 6 in the morning to go to the staging area,” Mr King said.
“But it’s worth it. A lot of people have been evacuated but everyone we saw was very appreciative. We had one guy who brought us cartons of soft drinks,” he said.
The team was based north-west of Sydney near the Gospers Mountain fire.
Mr King and his fellow volunteer group returned to Victoria on Monday.
VFBV District 10 President Stratford brigade member Mark Jones returned home on Friday after a week in NSW before returning to the fire zone this week.
“We did a lot backburning and dry firefighting with hand tools like rake hoes to build fire breaks, starting at Goulburn and then Wilberforce and then north of there,” he said.
“There’s tonnes of work to do up there. It was extremely steep terrain and the fires were massive.”
Mr Jones also appreciated the community welcome. “You find a lot of people tooting the horn and giving us thumbs up, which was nice,” he said.
The volunteers praised employers for allowing them time to contribute to the fire effort.
Crews from Bunyip, Koo Wee Rup, Nerrim South, Lakes Entrance, Bairnsdale, Carrum Downs, Mt Martha, Churchill, Rosebud, Welshpool, Traralgon East, Loch, Stratford, Lang Lang, Heyfield and Yallourn North were among those from the region to contribute to the firefighting surge capacity.
Learn more about CFA’s world-respected surge capacity on the VFBV website.
Victorian volunteers step in to stop fire spreading in NSW
Quick-thinking northern Victorian CFA volunteers nipped a spreading fire in the bud during their strike team patrols in New South Wales.
While hundreds of Victorian volunteers were deployed to NSW to assist with the firefight and assisting with patrols, backburning and community engagement, one strike team happened upon a new fire as it started.
The team included volunteers and tankers from Yea, Alexandra, Kilmore, Kinglake, Dookie and Strathbogie and was part of a huge mobilisation of support.
Yea volunteer Neil Beer said strike team members based at the Singleton army barracks were refuelling vehicles when they noticed the fire starting.
“We were going to fill up the forward command vehicle and were heading towards the main highway when we saw a puff of smoke coming up from the rear of a passing coal train,” Mr Beer said. “The next thing there were flames and there was a strong wind, probably 40-45 kph, and within a minute it had covered more than 100 metres.
“We were seeing this happen in front of us.”
The volunteers rushed to the nearby New England Highway where they met a traffic policeman who closed the highway and asked them to organise a strike team.
In the meantime, a NSW Rural Fire Service tanker arrived, allowing the Victorian volunteers call Singleton and arrange two strike teams to return to the blaze.
The highway was closed for about four hours. The fire briefly jumped the highway but went into a river flat area and stopped within about 50 metres.
“The concern was there was a fuel station about 200 metres away but it was kept contained,” Mr Beer said. “It was pure luck that we were Johnny on the spot to see the smoke and then the flames start up.”
Mr Beer said he was impressed by the efforts of Victorian volunteers during their deployment. “The professionalism of CFA volunteers really stood out,” he said.
Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV) CEO Adam Barnett said the quick action reflected the professionalism and high quality of training undertaken by all Victorian volunteers.
“All volunteers should be proud of their efforts in New South Wales and in their own communities every day of the year,” Mr Barnett said. “Incidents like this show why we invest so much time, energy and effort into improving CFA and working together to make it a better place to volunteer and work.”
“What we do aims to protect our state’s most important asset – its people.”
Learn more about CFA’s world-respected surge capacity on the VFBV website
Young Boort CFA volunteer jumps from school into the fire zone
Young Boort CFA volunteer Mitch Baker has jumped straight from the frying pan of VCE exams into the devastating fires in New South Wales.
Fresh from completing his final VCE exam, Mitch, 18, joined about 70 volunteers from around Victoria in the latest strike team to battle the massive fires.
Overall hundreds of Victorian volunteers have travelled to NSW and Queensland in a huge mobilisation of support.
Mitch has been a Boort brigade member for more than two years and communications officer for the past year while continuing his school studies.
“I had my last exam the previous Thursday and then flew out the next Tuesday,” he said.
Although still a teenager, Mitch says he’s well trained and prepared for the major fire zone.
“I’ve been to a few fires locally but nothing of this magnitude but we’re all well trained and know what to do and how to take direction,” he said.
This was Mitch’s first strike team and he was pleased to add to the huge CFA volunteer surge capacity. “When you look at the news and see how bad it is, you just want to go and help the people,” he said. “It’s good to chip in and do your bit.”
Mitch hopes to study cyber security at Deakin University Geelong next year.
Boort brigade secretary Russel Talbot and fellow member Mark Minogue were among those flying to NSW on Wednesday afternoon.
Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV) CEO Adam Barnett said the commitment of experienced and new members contributed to the CFA’s amazing surge capacity when major disasters happen.
“Our volunteers come from diverse backgrounds and make an incredible contribution both locally and far afield when needed,” Mr Barnett said.
“What makes our CFA so special is its connection with our communities and the fact that we have well-trained and capable people ready to drop everything and help in times of crisis,” he said.
“We expect to have a long and challenging season ahead of us and hope these latest fires inspire more young people to consider joining their local CFA.”
Learn more about CFA’s world-respected surge capacity on the VFBV website.
Rushworth volunteers return for a second stint to ease NSW and Qld fire threat
Rushworth Fire Brigade volunteer Deb Thompson helped to save houses in New South Wales as part of her first strike team experience and has returned for a second campaign.
Ms Thompson was one of six Rushworth volunteers in the initial strike team, working as a second tanker driver and a firefighter.
Last Wednesday she joined about 90 volunteers from across Victoria to return to the devastated area to resume her duties.
Ms Thompson, who has been a Rushworth brigade volunteer for more than 10 years, was part of the team that drove the Rushworth tanker to the fire area on Sunday, November 10.
“We stopped the first night in Wagga Wagga, then went to Singleton for a few days and then on to near Taree,” she said.
The fire devastation was overwhelming. “You see it on TV and it’s massive but to see it in real life really hits you,” Ms Thompson said.
“We were deployed to a town called Greta to help save some houses and we did that. It made me feel really good to know that we made a difference.”
Ms Thompson was happy to return to the area.
“They need the help and if us volunteers don’t stick our hands up, you’re going to have a hard time and the damage is going to be much worse.”
Brigade captain Mark Jones said Rushworth’s tanker remained in NSW and the brigade was continuing to send crews to it.
“We’ve done a lot of blacking out and working on the fire front around Port Macquarie and Taree,” he said.
“We were based at the Singleton Lone Pine Army Barracks during the catastrophic day and went to the Greta fire. It was close to being Black Saturday weather.”
Mr Jones had been part of a strike team around Sydney in the late 1990s but this was “a lot worse”. “The fire is everywhere,” he said.
Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV) CEO Adam Barnett said CFA volunteers had stepped up when needed the most.
“Like an elastic band stretching when you need it to – CFA’s volunteer surge capacity has been working exactly as it is designed to,” Mr Barnett said.
“Victoria is one of Australia’s most fire-prone areas and we rely on the sacrifice and dedication of CFA volunteers every year. It looks like we will have a long and challenging season ahead of us but volunteers will be working hard to keep us safe.”
Learn more about CFA’s world-respected surge capacity on the VFBV website.
Stawell parents tag team to ease NSW fire threat
Stawell CFA volunteers Jason Willis and Molly Gray have made a good tag team in supporting the massive firefighting operation in NSW.
The parents were among hundreds of volunteers from across Victoria who joined the interstate campaign, another example of the strength and importance of the state’s volunteer CFA system.
Molly was part of the first district strike team and Jason later joined a separate team, helping with strategic backburning and community support.
Molly returned on Saturday for a second deployment and Jason will return at the start of December to help for a second time.
This was their first interstate mission but the parents are experienced in local and regional firefighting.
Jason followed his father into the CFA and Molly joined about six years ago. They are both junior leaders in the Stawell brigade and Jason was recently elected District 16 Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV) State Councillor.
Their daughter, Myah, has just moved from being a junior to a senior CFA volunteer while they have another daughter too young to join but already keen.
VFBV CEO Adam Barnett said the commitment of volunteers to help in times of crisis should be applauded, along with the support of their families and workplaces.
“Across Victoria in recent weeks hundreds of volunteers have gone to New South Wales to help and in each case, they’ve had families, partners, friends and workplaces pitching in to assist,” Mr Barnett said.
“For every volunteer on the fire ground there are many people at home keeping life on track. This is what makes our CFA surge capacity such a successful force.”
Jason said he and Molly were happy to support the interstate teams. “We have good family support and my mother-in-law was able to look after the girls while we were away,” he said.
Molly was part of the District 15 and 16 strike team working on CFA appliances while Jason was part of an 18-member strike team working alongside NSW Rural Fire Service volunteers doing strategic burns near Kempsey.
“We took all our directions from the local incident controller,” he said.
“It was a massive fire and they need a lot of support so that’s why we’ve put our hands up to go back again.”
“District 16 has a great reputation for assisting others. We have the Grampians in our region so we’re grateful for any help that comes to us and always willing to put our hand up to return the favour.”
Jason said Victorian volunteers did valuable work and integrated into the community. “We bought our supplies from the local supermarket and ate at the local RSL with the other strike teams; we were working with the community,” he said.
Learn more about CFA’s world-respected surge capacity on the VFBV website.
Werribee CFA volunteer says protecting the community is number one priority
Werribee CFA volunteer Belinda Craig says protecting the community is her number one priority…meeting stars like U2’s Bono is just a bonus.
Ms Craig led a four-member Werribee crew to patrol fire lines, completing backburning and checking on residents.
The crew, also including Simon Roberson, Matt Mannix and Rohan Rizzoli, arrived in NSW on Tuesday and returned on Saturday. They were based at Richmond.
On the way to the fire zone, they met Bono and other U2 band members at the Melbourne airport.
Ms Craig said meeting the rock stars was a thrill but paled in comparison to protecting lives and property.
“Meeting Bono was awesome and we appreciated their interest, but if I had to choose between meeting a celebrity and saving a house, I’d protect the house any day,” she said.
“That’s our priority.”
Ms Craig has been a volunteer for 30 years, following in the footsteps of her father Don.
“I joined as soon as I turned 11 and went up to seniors at 16 and have been there ever since,” she said. “It’s nice to give back to the community.”
Ms Craig has been on many strike teams, including Sydney 2001-2002, Black Saturday and others across the region.
“They’ve all been big fires and challenging but we’re well trained and experienced to deal with then,” she said.
Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV) CEO Adam Barnett praised the commitment and readiness of volunteers to help in times of crisis.
“About 400 CFA members have been deployed to assist NSW crews with firefighting, incident management and specialist roles and that number increases every day,” he said.
Mr Barnett added that no Victorian stations were left empty and no communities left unprotected while the volunteers were interstate.
“The CFA surge capacity is working exactly as it is designed to,” he said. “When major disasters happen the training, dedication and professionalism of volunteers really come to the fore.”
Learn more about CFA’s world-respected surge capacity on the VFBV website.
More...
FireWise - VFBV's December Column
In This Edition
- Editorial – Reflecting on a Challenging Year
- Fire Awareness Award for Kids Program
- VFBV Welfare Fund helps 1,000 Volunteers
- 10,000 Scanners save Brigades $3 Million
- Fiskville – Action Still Needed
- Introducing VFBV Support Officer Peter Sharman
- Vale Former State Councillor Barry Pyke
- Fundraising Still Important
- Cancer Law – Remind Your Local MPs
REFLECTING ON A CHALLENGING YEAR
By Andrew Ford, Chief Executive Officer
As we look back on 2016, I am sure most people will agree it has been a very challenging year. And this year, more than most, I am looking forward to Christmas and focussing on the important things of family, friends, neighbours and enjoying the community I live in.
I want to take this opportunity to wish all of our members, friends and supporters a very happy and safe Christmas.
As always I wish for a quiet Christmas and summer but we only need to reflect on this time last year to know how unpredictable things can be. And as always I know that this is a good time of the year to remember why volunteers do what they do, how incredibly valuable that is for our communities and how good it feels to focus on why we joined CFA rather than the frustrations.
So I am not going to talk much about the latest developments in the CFA and UFU ongoing industrial dispute, other than to say it seems to be far from resolved. CFA is seeking to have the proposed EBA considered by the Fair Work Commission under the amended Fair Work Act, and the UFU is pushing to stop this from happening.
For CFA volunteers one of the great successes of 2016 came in the form of the changes to the Federal Fair Work Act that now provide a truly fair umpire and clear respect and protections for volunteers.
We have said all along that volunteers and VFBV have no interest in paid firefighters’ pay increase negotiations, so it can only be hoped that in addition to the recent pay increases announced by CFA, any further matters that are still outstanding can be agreed quickly.
By now CFA Brigades right across Victoria are well into gearing up and preparing for summer so, from a VFBV perspective, let’s keep this and protecting our communities as the big CFA focus for now.
Once again thanks for the tremendous activity and support over the past year. From any turmoil there is often good to emerge and it has been extremely pleasing to see the exponential growth in the numbers of volunteers who are now deeply connected and active within VFBV.
Brigades across Victoria are more connected with VFBV than ever; our VFBV State, District and Brigade delegates are more informed and active than ever and doing a great job. We have made great progress in establishing our VFBV Multi-Agency Youth Network and we have substantially raised the profile of volunteer issues. Thank you!
Our VFBV affiliation levels for this year are at a new record high, with just under 95% of Brigades affiliated with VFBV and 90% of Brigades subscribing to the VFBV Welfare Fund.
On a sadder note, the year saw the departure of some very respected people and I want to recognise and thank once again those who suffered the consequences of standing firm on their principles; Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett, CFA Board Members, CFA CEO Lucinda Nolan and CFA Chief Officer Joe Buffone, others including MFB Chief Officer Peter Rau, and many other senior CFA volunteer and paid personnel.
To all CFA volunteers and the paid staff who work with, and in support of us; to our families, employers and supporters, thank you, well done for what you do and have a safe and happy Christmas. I am going to head into Christmas looking forward to next year and hopefully a rethink by some who need to stop and think about just how good the CFA can be if everyone is respected and respectful.
AWARD FOR KIDS’ PROGRAM
A VFBV-supported project for secondary students has won the Education Award at this year’s Fire Awareness Awards, thanks to local CFA volunteers and the Maryborough Education Centre.
The Emergency Services Journey takes Year 9 students to their local brigade, Police and ambulance station to see how each service operates and learn practical skills.
What began as a Brigades in Schools program run by Maryborough Fire Brigade volunteers in 2004, has been developed into an innovative course at the Maryborough Education Centre by teacher and CFA volunteer Samantha Rothman.
There’s a camp in the Mallee, sessions at a surf life saving club, activities like open water swimming and fire brigade competition events, and the students achieve certificates in Life Saving skills and First Aid.
The Fire Awareness Award judges said the project goes beyond the basics in building resilience, with a range of partner organisations and reaching great numbers; over 40 students participate each year, and several have become CFA volunteers.
Principal David Sutton says the school is proud of the Emergency Services Journey program and students for doing so well, and particularly Samantha Rothman for her work in developing and championing the program.
Pictured: VFBV’s Andrew Ford, Maryborough CFA Captain Darryl Wagstaff AFSM, teacher and CFA volunteer Samantha Rothman, and Maryborough Education Centre Principal David Sutton at the Fire Awareness Awards.
VFBV WELFARE FUND HELPS 1,000
Since its creation by the urban Brigades association in 1913, the VFBV Welfare Fund has helped 1,079 volunteers in need, with more than $1.4 million in small assistance grants.
VFBV Welfare Fund grants are financed by Brigade subscriptions and the interest earned on the Fund’s invested capital, which provides the income necessary to pay grants and at the same time maintain the Fund’s asset capital base to ensure it can provide support to CFA volunteers in need for generations to come.
VFBV funds all operating and administrative costs of the Fund – so every dollar earned by the Fund’s investments and subscriptions goes to assisting volunteers in need. Typical cases involve volunteers who are facing significant financial difficulty because of prolonged illness or a sudden death in the family. An average individual grant from the Fund is just under $3,500.
The VFBV Welfare Fund is run as a government-approved charity by a VFBV Committee of Management under Australian Taxation Office rules, with its books independently audited every year.
Individual volunteer applications are considered by their Brigade before an application is made to the VFBV Welfare Fund Committee of Management, and over the past five years 92.5% of applications have been approved. VFBV has also negotiated discounts on some of the volunteers’ bills, worked with their Brigades to monitor the situation in case the family needs additional assistance, and referred volunteers to sources of financial planning.
For more information, visit the VFBV Welfare Fund page.
10,000 SCANNERS DELIVERED - $3M SAVING FOR BRIGADES
The Digital Scanner subsidy program advocated by VFBV and run in partnership with CFA is an overwhelming success, with 10,478 digital scanners delivered to Brigades and Groups so far. The savings to members represent over $3 million.
More than 970 Brigades and 80 Groups have received their Tier 1 & 2 orders, and CFA is still accepting Tier 3 orders, from Brigades, Groups and individual members.
Tier 3 units are available at cost price, which has been significantly reduced due to the bulk orders placed during the subsidy program. Members can order units for $446.75 plus postage and handling, while stocks last. Download an order form here.
FISKVILLE FINAL REPORT – ACTION STILL NEEDED
The State Government has responded to the Fiskville Inquiry’s final report, endorsing all recommendations either fully or in part – you can download a copy of the response here.
VFBV now hopes it will be the trigger for urgent Government and CFA action on replacing Fiskville’s vital training capacity, ensuring properly monitored water quality standards for all CFA training sites, and maintaining ongoing support to all of those affected by exposure at the Fiskville site.
The announcement follows years of work from VFBV since the issue was first raised in the media in December 2011. VFBV has consistently called for urgent remedial action at the site, independent, expert monitoring, ongoing support for everyone affected, and the urgent replacement of Fiskville’s lost training capacity.
The closure of the site came in 2015 after the surprising discovery that water quality problems were persisting in spite of the reassurances of WorkSafe, the EPA, technical experts and CFA.
The State Government’s response to the Inquiry is not the end of the issue, but a cue for action to resolve the problems left in Fiskville’s wake.
VFBV SUPPORT TO BRIGADES
Newly arrived at VFBV is Support Officer Peter Sharman.
Peter is an experienced volunteer who will work with District Councils, Brigades and volunteers in Districts, 4, 5, 6 and 7 to facilitate strong VFBV engagement with volunteers, assist District Councils with issues resolution at the local level, and support ongoing consultation with volunteers on all matters affecting them.
Peter has been a CFA volunteer since 1987. He is an ex Captain and a currently serving Group Officer, and has served as a VFBV State Councillor, and on the VFBV/CFA Joint Volunteerism Committee and the Joint Communications and Technology Committee.
You can contact Peter Sharman on 0428 751 652 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
VALE BARRY PYKE
We were sad to learn of the recent passing of former VRFBA District 12 State Councillor and VFBV Life Member Barry Pyke.
Barry was a 50 year CFA volunteer and a long time member of the Whanregarwen Fire Brigade. He served volunteers and the community for many years, and was an active participant in the creation of a single association in District 12 as part of the move towards the creation of VFBV.
Our sympathy goes out to Barry’s family, friends and fellow volunteers.
FUNDRAISING IS STILL IMPORTANT
VFBV’s work to defend the volunteer based and fully integrated CFA continues, and VFBV is still actively fundraising.
The new Federal Legislation has changed the legal ground rules to protect fire and emergency service volunteers from industrial interference, but it must be supported in the Fair Work Commission and possibly Federal courts, so we still look to the public for their support.
The public, corporate donors, community organisations and volunteers can donate to the VFBV Valuing Volunteers Fund, BSB 633 000, Account number 157 728 221, send a cheque to the Valuing Volunteers Fund, PO Box 453, Mt Waverley 3149, or make a donation by visiting www.mycause.com.au/cfa
Note that VFBV is a non-party political organisation: it does not accept donations from political parties.
CANCER LAW
In the last edition of FireWise, we urged volunteers to remind their local Members of Parliament of the commitment the Government made to Victorian volunteers and paid firefighters two years ago.
Sadly, nothing has happened since then, Parliament has closed until February 2017, and this important issue for all firefighters remains unresolved.
Labor’s commitment just before it took power in 2014, said “Victorian legislation for career and volunteer firefighters will reflect the cancers covered and timeframes for duty of service as in the Tasmanian legislation”. Importantly, this promise explicitly contained no reference to unequal treatment or extra eligibility requirements for volunteers. The Government has since hinted at imposing a discriminatory extra requirement for volunteers to prove an arbitrary number of turnouts before they become eligible for compensation and VFBV will be extremely disappointed if this eventuates.
Your local MPs need to know volunteers won’t accept second best just because they are not paid. Click here for more information on the firefighters' cancer law.
MORE FOR ONLINE SUBSCRIBERS
More than 1,000 subscribers now receive this page as an electronic newsletter. You can also sign up to receive VFBV’s popular Two Minute Briefing from the VFBV/CFA Joint Committees.
Register here to receive these and other VFBV updates.
Our Facebook page is at www.facebook.com/cfavol and you can follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/vfbv or on Instagram @volunteer_fire_brigades_vic
UFU Claims about changes to the Fair Work Act
A bulletin from the United Firefighters’ Union (UFU) this week wrongly portrays recent changes to the Federal Fair Work Act as enabling an attack on career firefighters’ entitlements and conditions.
The changes to the law only ban proposed clauses in any Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) that would interfere in an emergency organisation’s legitimate work with, and support of, its volunteers, or its compliance with State laws such as the CFA Act.
Given that the UFU has previously stated that its proposed Enterprise Agreement had no effect on volunteers in any way, any claim that the new legislation will somehow interfere with staff’s conditions of employment is bewildering.
In fact, the amendments to the Fair Work Act specifically rule out having any effect on clauses that do not involve either protecting volunteers or complying with State laws. The amendments only enable VFBV to make a submission to the Fair Work Commission (FWC), on matters that affect, or could affect, CFA volunteers. So clearly, if any part of an EBA has no impact on volunteers, VFBV would have no ability to make a submission to Fair Work.
VFBV has always pointed out that it is only interested in aspects of the proposed CFA/UFU EBA that affect volunteers. We have never asked for any role in the normal negotiation of pay and conditions, and the changes to the Fair Work Act do not give us that role.
HOW THE LEGISLATION WORKS
The recent Federal legislation made a simple change to the Fair Work Act, including amending section 195A of the Fair Work Act to make it objectionable for workplace agreements to restrict or limit the emergency service organisation’s ability to:
- engage or deploy its volunteers;
- provide support or equipment to those volunteers;
- manage its relationship with, or work with, any recognised emergency management body in relation to those volunteers;
- otherwise manage its operations in relation to those volunteers;
In addition, the legislation makes objectionable any term requiring CFA to reach agreement with any other person or body before taking any actions described in the above 4 bullet points, as well as anything that restricts or limits CFA’s ability to recognise, value, respect or promote the contribution of its volunteers to the wellbeing and safety of the community.
Clearly, these changes were designed to have no impact on the legitimate negotiation of pay and conditions; the improvements to the Fair Work Act simply represent what we have been asking for all along, a fair go for volunteers.
Platitudes and sweet sounding words about how wonderful volunteers are and the important roles they perform are of no consequence, when at its heart, a Commonwealth industrial law was being misused to disrespect, demoralize and subjugate tens of thousands of hard working emergency management volunteers, simply because they choose to receive no payment.
Volunteers ask for very little in return for their contribution to the community. However, what they do ask, is for their ability to perform their duties and protect their communities to remain unhindered. This includes protecting them from Commonwealth legislation being misused to their detriment, and the new legislation now provides that protection.
From the outset, VFBV has affirmed that it will only appear in Fair Work should CFA and the UFU submit an EBA that again tries to interfere with the roles and arrangements impacting upon volunteers. Should the parties agree to genuinely only submit an EBA that restricts itself to the legitimate pay and conditions of its workforce, then VFBV will have no quarrel with it, and will not seek leave to appear in the Commission.
Our aim during this dispute begins and ends with ensuring that industrial arrangements do not try to dismantle the fully integrated nature of CFA, that they don’t discriminate against CFA members simply because they choose not to be paid, and that volunteers can continue to deliver CFA services without interference from agreements in which they have no say.
It has been VFBV’s express position that we have neither the desire nor the right to be involved in legitimate CFA/union negotiations on pay and conditions for paid staff. Our interests are solely limited to those matters that affect volunteers.
We maintain that leadership is about moving forward, and the new legislation now provides CFA and Government the best opportunity to move forward and treat all fire-fighters (paid and not paid) as professionals and treat them with respect; backed by the full force of the law.
Constant misinformation campaigns only serve to extend the disruption and demoralizing impacts of this dispute for everyone involved. If CFA and the UFU put up a fair and lawful enterprise agreement that rewards our paid colleagues with better pay and conditions, while protecting and supporting the CFA volunteers that work alongside them in a fully integrated way, we can all move forward.
* * *
FireWise - VFBV's November Column
VFBV's November 2016 column in FireWise is now available.
In this edition:
- Editorial: A Win for Volunteers but Still More To Do
- Fundraising is Still Important
- Cancer Law: Time for Government to Deliver Presumptive Legislation
- Strong Support: 2016/17 Brigade Affiliations approach another record
- VFBV Brigade Delegates' Course
- Youth Network Running Hot
- Promote Your Brigade's Good Work: Fire Safety Media Tips
- How to Apply: VFBV Helps with VESEP Grants
- VEOHRC Review Closing on November 18
- Urban and Rural Championship Dates for 2017
Download this month's column as a PDF file
Subscribe to receive the complete FireWise newspaper at the FireWise website.
A WIN FOR VOLUNTEERS, BUT THERE’S MORE TO DO
By Andrew Ford, Chief Executive Officer
VFBV has achieved a major breakthrough in the long running dispute flowing from the CFA/UFU enterprise bargaining deal (EBA) that undermines the volunteer based nature of CFA, impacts on the way volunteers are supported and work, and overrides CFA decision making including on matters impacting on volunteers.
VFBV has successfully campaigned for and achieved a change to the Federal Fair Work Act that protects volunteers and ensures the volunteer nature of CFA cannot be undermined by an Enterprise Bargaining Agreement between CFA and the UFU. The Federal Fair Work Act changes were approved by the Senate on 10 October with support from all Coalition and cross bench independent Senators other than Senator Lambie from Tasmania, and have been given Royal Assent which confirms them as law as of now.
The changes to the Fair Work Act apply to the current EBA negotiations and also all future CFA EBAs.
This means that VFBV has also achieved the outcome being pursued in the Victorian Supreme Court.
Our core claim in the Supreme Court was to achieve a declaration that it would be unlawful for CFA to enter into the proposed 2016 CFA/UFU EBA because of clauses that contradict and override the CFA Act - the changes to the Federal Fair Work Act now disallow this in federal law.
The change to the Fair Work Act makes it unlawful for the EBA to include arrangements that restrict or limit CFA’s ability to:
- Engage or deploy volunteers
- Provide support or equipment to volunteers
- Manage its relationship with or work with any other emergency management body in relation to its volunteers
- Manage it operations in relation to volunteers
- Consult with volunteers
or require or permit CFA to act other than in accordance with the powers, functions and duties conferred or imposed on CFA by the CFA Act in relation to volunteers.
The changes to the Fair Work Act prohibit the CFA from having EBA arrangements that require CFA to consult or reach agreement with any other person or body before taking any action regarding the things listed above. The changes to the Fair Work Act also disallow the CFA from having EBA arrangements that restrict or limit CFA’s ability to recognise, value, respect or promote the contribution of CFA volunteers to the wellbeing and safety of the community. And the changes prohibit the CFA from having EBA arrangements that require or permit CFA to act other than in accordance with the powers, functions and duties conferred or imposed on CFA (ie by the CFA Act) in relation to volunteers.
The changes also enable VFBV to make a submission to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) when matters before the FWC affect, or could affect, CFA volunteers. To date VFBV has been locked out of any ability to raise concerns in the FWC even when matters contained in the CFA/UFU EBA directly impacted on volunteers.
This doesn’t mean our legal action is over completely but it does make the path ahead clearer.
The Supreme Court action has been fundamental in our efforts to prevent the CFA and UFU using the loophole that previously existed in the Fair Work Act to enable the CFA Board to enter into an EBA that we say is beyond the lawful intent and powers of the CFA Act. The CFA will no longer be able to use this loophole. Our action in the Supreme Court has been costly and resource intensive, but also vitally important and fundamental to shaping the ground for a fairer process for volunteers at the new Federal level.
The change to the Federal laws (Fair Work Act) now achieves what VFBV has been seeking from the Victorian Supreme Court. Our efforts from here on are better devoted to ensuring the Federal arrangements for protecting the future of CFA hold firm, working to ensure CFA and others are focussed on supporting and strengthening volunteerism for the benefit of future generations and getting on with protecting our communities.
The focus of our advocacy and legal action will now shift to the Federal sphere and play out in the Fair Work Commission and from there the Federal court system if required. We will also be freed up to focus on potential challenge to the Fair Work Amendment in the High Court of Australia as threatened by the UFU. At the Federal level we will not be alone – the Fair Work Commission now has clear rules to follow which protect emergency service volunteers; the Federal Employment Minister has also committed to challenge the EBA at the full bench of the Fair Work Commission if required, and if the matter goes to the High Court then the Federal Government will have a keen interest in defending the robustness of their legislation.
We think VFBV and volunteers can now set the scene by proactive leadership to ensure CFA remains a strong and successful volunteer based organisation where paid staff and volunteers work side by side for the benefit of the communities we serve.
VFBV greatly appreciates the support and monetary donations that have made our campaign action to date possible. A big thank you to everyone who has supported our campaign to date. There is still an enormous amount of work to do and we are still seeking donations and support, so please keep spreading the word.
FUNDRAISING IS STILL IMPORTANT
While VFBV has discontinued its action in the Victorian Supreme Court in the wake of changes to the Federal Fair Work Act that has enabled the legal protections we set out to achieve, our campaign to defend the volunteer based CFA continues, and fundraising is still important.
The new Federal Legislation has changed the legal ground rules to defend fire and emergency service volunteers from industrial interference, but it must be supported in the Fair Work Commission and possibly Federal courts.
We still need volunteers to actively seek donations from the public and other supporters, to fund our campaign to maintain and strengthen volunteer capacity for future generations, and stop industrial interference in CFA volunteers’ service to Victoria.
Members of the public, corporate donors, community organisations and volunteers can make a direct deposit via the Bendigo Bank to the VFBV Valuing Volunteers Fund, BSB 633 000, Account number 157 728 221, send a cheque to the Valuing Volunteers Fund, PO Box 453, Mt Waverley 3149, or make a donation by visiting www.mycause.com.au/cfa
Note that VFBV is a non-party political organisation: it does not accept donations from political parties.
TIME FOR GOVERNMENT TO DELIVER PRESUMPTIVE LEGISLATION
Recent media reports have suggested presumptive legislation for Victorian firefighters may be announced soon, so it is time to remind your local Members of Parliament this is important to volunteers, and also remind them of the commitment the Government made to Victorian volunteers and paid firefighters two years ago.
Before the 2014 State Election, Labor announced that “Victorian legislation for career and volunteer firefighters will reflect the cancers covered and timeframes for duty of service as in the Tasmanian legislation”.Importantly, this promise explicitly contained no reference to unequal treatment or extra eligibility requirements for volunteers. The Government has since hinted at imposing a discriminatory extra requirement for volunteers to prove an arbitrary number of turnouts before they become eligible for compensation and VFBV will be extremely disappointed if this eventuates.
There are still unanswered questions about the legislation:
- will it treat career and volunteer firefighters equally?
- will it cover firefighters who have already been diagnosed?
VFBV has long campaigned for presumptive legislation to provide simpler and fairer cancer compensation for all Victorian firefighters, both volunteer and career.
Victorian presumptive legislation should list the same 12 cancers and the same years of service requirements that appear in the legislation already passed by the Commonwealth and most other States.
Presumptive legislation works by reversing the onus of proof. The cancer is presumed to be work related provided it is one of 12 listed cancers and the firefighter has sufficient years of service.
Western Australia has now passed presumptive legislation, and South Australia and Queensland led the way with equal treatment for career and volunteer firefighters. Presumptive legislation is now in place in all States and Territories except NSW and Victoria.
Your local MPs need to know that volunteers will not accept being given second best just because they are not paid. For more information, go to the Cancer Law page
VEOHRC REVIEW CLOSING SOON
Past and present CFA members have until 18 November to contribute to the Independent Review into Equity and Diversity being conducted by the Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC).
VEOHRC is talking to CFA members about workplace culture, discrimination (including bullying) and sexual harassment. You can tell VEOHRC about the amazing work CFA does as well as any difficult experiences you’ve had. The Review will report in mid-2017.
The online survey is independently hosted by VEOHRC. A paper-based version is also available upon request, or you can arrange a confidential interview on the phone or in person.
You can participate confidentially and anonymously. Call the confidential phone line (03) 9032 3464, send a confidential email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or for more information, visit www.victorianhumanrightscommission.com/EDR/
2016/17 AFFILIATIONS
The number of Brigades affiliating with VFBV for 2016/17 is on track to match and probably exceed last year’s record number, a sign of continued strong support for the association’s work on behalf of volunteers.
A record 93% of Brigades affiliated with VFBV in 2015/16, and this year a number of Brigades have affiliated with VFBV for the first time in many years.
If you are not sure whether your Brigade or Group’s VFBV Affiliation and Brigade’s VFBV Volunteer Welfare Fund subscription have been paid, contact your Secretary as soon as possible.
The modest cost of $77.50 for VFBV affiliation is the same for all Brigades and Groups.
We also strongly encourage Brigades to subscribe to the VFBV Welfare Fund in the interests of supporting your members in times of personal hardship. For more information visit the VFBV Welfare Fund page and see the Welfare Fund Frequently Asked Questions page.
For any enquiries, contact your VFBV State Councillors or call us on (03) 9886 1141.
VFBV BRIGADE DELEGATES’ COURSE
VFBV is launching a newly developed short course for Brigade Delegates to District Councils.
Participants completing the course will be awarded two modules from Cert II in Public Safety (Firefighting Operations): PUACOM001C Communicate in the Workplace, and PUACOM002B Provide Services to Clients.
The course will be taken to all Districts over the coming two years, and will give Delegates the chance to gain new skills, network among their peers, improve teamwork and communication, and assist with succession planning for their District Council.
The course consists of two sessions of one day each, with a small amount of work to be done from home, and covers useful skills including: Facilitation, Leadership, Effective Communication, Reporting, Networking, Working in a group, Note Taking, Decision Making, Managing Issues, and Problem Solving.
The course is a very important investment in volunteer leadership skills; talk to your District Council or keep an eye on www.vfbv.com.au for more details.
YOUTH NETWORK UPDATE
The VFBV Multi-Agency Youth Network is running hot, with Life Saving Victoria now officially involved, along with VFBV, VICSES, the Red Cross and the Victorian Council of Churches.
Youth Engagement Officer Christine Fryer and our VFBV Support Officers are working with District Councils to organise informal get togethers for young Network members, their District Champions and VFBV District Council executive members, as well as encouraging young volunteers’ attendance at District Council meetings.
District 12 will have an informal event on 13 November, and Districts 9, 10 and 27 will have theirs on 20 November.
Districts 22 and 24 are planning their first gatherings of young members, and District 15 has had its first get together, where they discussed rotating the role of Youth Panel Chair so everyone can lead meetings and initiatives, and appointed a member to design a logo for the Youth Network.
Read FireWise or visit www.vfbv.com.au for updates, or to get involved contact Chris on (03) 9886 1141 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
VFBV HELPS WITH VESEP GRANTS
If your Brigade is considering applying for a VESEP grant in the future, for a vehicle, new equipment or facilities improvements, start your planning and preparation now.
Click here or go to the VFBV website and type VESEP Resources into the search box in the top right corner of the page, to find a copy or our most recent Application Help Pack and case studies that demonstrate how successful past applications worked.
For additional practical advice, contact your VFBV Support Officer via the VFBV office on (03) 9886 1141.
FIRE SAFETY MEDIA TIPS
VFBV encourages Brigades and Groups to make the most of media opportunities to publicise fire safety and the professionalism and contribution of CFA volunteers.
When you have an exercise, training session, summer safety warning or other activity to publicise, make the most of it, with:
- a list of what you’d like local media to tell the public
- facts and figures about your Brigade or Group
- examples of your Brigade’s good work in recent seasons, and
- a call to action
The call to action can be about fire safety preparation, volunteering, making a donation or supporting CFA volunteers in another way; prompt the public contribute to their own safety or help your Brigade to provide its essential emergency service to the community.
For VFBV’s sheets helpful publicity tips, facts and figures on CFA volunteers, and this summer’s key messages from CFA and Emergency Management Victoria, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or for advice, call Peter Beaton on (03) 9886 1141.
CHAMPIONSHIP DATES FOR 2017
The VFBV State Urban Junior Championships will be held at Tatura, on 25/26 February 2017.
The VFBV State Urban Senior Championships will take place at Bendigo, on 11 to 13 March 2017.
Visit the Urban and Rural Championships sections of the VFBV website www.vfbv.com.au for the latest rule book, entry forms, and judges/officials nomination forms.
The VFBV State Rural Championships will be at Wodonga on 1 and 2 April 2017.
More details and entry forms will be posted on the Rural Championships page at the VFBV website in the near future.
Important Update for all Volunteers
NOTE TO MEMBERS – 25 October 2016 - Download Media Release Here
IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR ALL VOLUNTEERS
In the last few weeks VFBV has achieved major breakthrough in the long running dispute flowing from the CFA/UFU enterprise bargaining deal (EBA) that undermines the volunteer based nature of CFA, impacts on the way volunteers are supported and work, and overrides CFA decision making including on matters impacting on volunteers.
VFBV has successfully campaigned for and achieved a change to the Federal Fair Work Act that protects volunteers and ensures the volunteer nature of CFA cannot be undermined by an Enterprise Bargaining Agreement between CFA and the UFU. The Federal Fair Work Act changes were approved by the Senate on 10 October with support from all Coalition and cross bench independent Senators other than Senator Lambie from Tasmania, and have been given Royal Assent which confirms them as law as of now.
The changes to the Fair Work Act apply to the current EBA negotiations and also all future CFA EBAs. This means that VFBV has also achieved the outcome being pursued in the Victorian Supreme Court. Our core claim in the Supreme Court was to achieve a declaration that it would be unlawful for CFA to enter into the proposed 2016 CFA/UFU EBA because of clauses that contradict and override the CFA Act - the changes to the Federal Fair Work Act now disallow this in federal law.
As a result, yesterday we reached an agreement with the CFA to draw a conclusion to the Victorian Supreme Court Action. VFBV is of the view that CFA should revisit the EBA given the changes to the Fair Work Act but instead of testing this in the State Supreme Court it will now be a matter to be tested in the Fair Work Commission under the new arrangements which make it unlawful for the EBA to include arrangements that restrict or limit CFA's ability to:
- Engage or deploy volunteers
- Provide support or equipment to volunteers
- Manage its relationship with or work with any other emergency management body in relation to its volunteers
- Manage it operations in relation to volunteers
- Consult with volunteers
- Or require or permit CFA to act other than in accordance with the powers, functions and duties conferred or imposed on CFA by the CFA Act in relation to volunteers.
This doesn’t mean our legal action is over completely but it does make the path ahead clearer. Instead of continuing our costly legal action in the Victorian Supreme Court, the focus of our advocacy and legal action will now shift to the Federal sphere and play out in the Fair Work Commission and from there the Federal court system if required. We will also be freed up to focus on potential challenge to the Fair Work Amendment in the High Court of Australia as threatened by the UFU. At the Federal level we will not be alone – the Fair Work Commission now has clear rules to follow which protect emergency service volunteers; the Federal Employment Minister has also committed to challenge the EBA at the full bench of the Fair Work Commission if required, and if the matter goes to the High Court then the Federal Government will have a keen interest in defending the robustness of their legislation.
The change to the Federal laws (Fair Work Act) now achieves what VFBV have been seeking from the Victorian Supreme Court. Our efforts from here on are better devoted to ensuring the federal arrangements for protecting the future of CFA hold firm, working to ensure CFA and others are focussed on supporting and strengthening volunteerism for the benefit of future generations and getting on with protecting our communities.
It was never our wish to be held up in a protracted court case. We think VFBV and volunteers can now set the scene by proactive leadership to ensure CFA remains a strong and successful volunteer based organisation where paid staff and volunteer work side by side for the benefit of the communities we serve.
The Supreme Court action has been fundamental in our efforts to prevent the CFA and UFU using the loophole that previously existed in the Fair Work Act to enable the CFA Board to enter into an EBA that we say is beyond the lawful intent and powers of the CFA Act. The CFA will no longer be able to use this loophole. Our action in the Supreme Court has been costly and resource intensive. VFBV greatly appreciates the support and monetary donations that have made the Supreme Court action possible. A big thank you to everyone who has supported our campaign to date.
There is still a possibility that further legal action might be required given that the UFU have claimed they will challenge the Fair Work Act amendment in the High Court and there is also real possibility that VFBV will need to defend the rights of volunteers in the Federal sphere so we will continue fund raising to support our legal action and further campaign efforts.
VFBV will also be arranging detailed briefings for every VFBV District Council to explain the success achieved by the change to the Fair Work Act, the outcomes achieved by our Victorian Supreme Court Action and the work remaining in the Federal sphere. VFBV will be working hard with CFA and Government to provide the leadership required to ensure CFA remains a great place to volunteer and an organisation ready to serve communities. There is a lot of work to do, and with summer on our door step we want to get on with it as quickly as possible.
SUMMARY OF CHANGES TO THE FAIR WORK ACT
The changes to the Fair Work Act make it unlawful for organisations such as CFA to have EBA arrangements that restrict or limit CFA’s ability to:
- Engage or deploy volunteers
- Provide support or equipment to volunteers
- Manage its relationship with or work with any other emergency management body in relation to its volunteers
- Manage it operations in relation to volunteers
The changes to the Fair Work Act prohibit the CFA from having EBA arrangements that require CFA to consult or reach agreement with any other person or body before taking any action regarding the things listed above. The changes to the Fair Work Act also disallow the CFA from having EBA arrangements that restrict or limit CFA’s ability to recognise, value, respect or promote the contribution of CFA volunteers to the wellbeing and safety of the community. And the changes prohibit the CFA from having EBA arrangements that require or permit CFA to act other than in accordance with the powers, functions and duties conferred or imposed on CFA (ie by the CFA Act) in relation to volunteers.
The changes also enable VFBV to make a submission to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) when matters before the FWC affect, or could affect, CFA volunteers. To date VFBV has been locked out of any ability to raise concerns in the FWC even when matters contained in the CFA/UFU EBA directly impacted on volunteers.
