VFBV

Editorial: Remember, Celebrate, Respect 

By Andrew Ford, VFBV Chief Executive Officer

As this edition of ‘Fire Wise’ hits the streets our calendar brings us to three quite different and important reminders. Firstly, St Florien’s Day or International Firefighters Day on 4 May, when firefighters and communities across the world show support and recognition of our firefighters commitment and dedication, remember those lost or injured in the line of duty and say thank you.  

And on Sunday 7 May many of us will have come together at Churchill or at other special places to remember CFA members who have given their lives in service to protecting their communities. My thoughts and prayers are for the families, friends and loved ones of those who have died in the line of duty and also for all those that have suffered loss or injury or sickness through their work, dedication and commitment to protecting their communities.  

The second week of May (from 8–14 May) is National Volunteer Week, an annual and national celebration to acknowledge the generous commitment of our volunteers.  

Generally our CFA volunteers shy away from recognition or thanks but I think it is really important for every volunteer to take a moment to reflect on the incredible and essential contribution you make to your communities and to communities across Victoria and beyond. You should feel good and be immensely proud of what you do, your professionalism and your commitment deserves to be celebrated.  

Numerous reviews have documented and acknowledged that CFA’s volunteer based resource model is the only approach capable of economically and practically dealing with the number, scale and simultaneous occurrence of fires and other emergencies experienced in Victoria.  

The CFA volunteers’ contribution to the community is incalculable with the value of labour alone estimated to be in excess of one billion dollars per year, let alone the contribution to community resilience, social connections, local knowledge and the substantial replacement cost or capacity loss if volunteers weren’t there.

There will be plenty of celebration and recognition for the work you do and my everlasting hope is that decision makers and others who influence public policy will continue to understand and respect the capacity, professionalism and essential contribution CFA volunteers make to public safety.  

CFA is a modern and contemporary fire and emergency service, protecting not just country Victoria but also to more than 60% of metropolitan Melbourne and provincial centres and townships across the State. I am hopeful that times like National Volunteer Week can be used as a catalyst to remind everyone of the vital and huge volunteer resource that currently exists in CFA and other emergency service volunteers.  

We also need to take the opportunity provided by National Volunteer Week to recognise and thank those who appreciate, respect and support the work we do as volunteers. To the families, employers, friends, decision makers; to the paid staff who work with and in support of volunteers; to our brother and sister volunteers in other agencies; and to our communities – THANK YOU for your ongoing support and respect.

As I write this, it would be foolish to ignore the fact that there is significant disquiet amongst many in our volunteer ranks. I understand this and desperately wish I could fix it. Over the past year and months I am constantly approached by volunteers and brigades who are concerned that the capacity, professionalism and essential need for our CFA volunteers may have been forgotten by some decision makers and politicians. Again, it would be foolish to ignore the actions and public messaging that give rise to this feeling.  

Rather than sit and wait for the train wreck, I want to encourage all of you to use this month to get out and be loud about what volunteers do and what needs to be done to maintain and grow this wonderful resource for future generations. Please activate now, talk to everyone you know, to your local member of parliament, to your local community clubs and networks – thank them for their support; educate them if they are not aware of what you do; ask for their support to ensure the CFA model is respected, supported and sustained; and explain to them the consequence of a future where CFA volunteer capacity is reduced or where the cost of the fire service levy goes through the roof due to lack of respect and support for volunteers.  

Explain the integral relationship between CFA volunteers in your local community and the surge capacity support that can be drawn from CFA volunteers across outer metropolitan Melbourne and other parts of Victoria when required.  

And, in preparation for the potential that the rumoured CFA carve up could be a real backroom plan, explain to them the breadth of services and risk environments CFA volunteer brigades currently provide; the vital CFA surge capacity that the whole CFA volunteer network provides for Victoria; the way volunteer brigades can be supported (not replaced) by paid staff in busy areas so that CFA can maintain service to growing communities and at the same time retain the important surge capacity that comes from the brigades in these busy urbanised areas.  

Help them understand that talk of carving CFA up into a paid urban service and a volunteer bushfire service, just to satisfy an industrial agenda, is a costly and potentially disastrous nonsense. Ask them to be ready to help you send a loud message to protect CFA and the CFA volunteer ethos.

Sadly I know lots of volunteers who are feeling fed up and many who have already either withdrawn, resigned or preparing to resign. My message to everyone is that we need to stay, we need to continue to serve our communities and we need to stay proud about the work we do.  

Please be really clear, nothing in this message is about being anti change, or anti paid staff or anti Government. Of course we need to evolve and change as communities change, of course we need to grow and adapt our capacity to meet changing community needs and of course we need to support and be supported by paid staff in various roles. Our paid CFA staff, along with all of the paid workers and other volunteers in the emergency sector, do a fantastic job and it is vitally important that we respect one another and work well together as one team.  

But my message is strong on several key points and that is that any contemplation of change to the CFA model must not be done just to pacify an industrial agenda or secret deal; must not be done without transparent, fair and genuine consultation with volunteers; and must not be driven by anything other than the interests of the community.  

And if the play is foul, we should call it, protest it and actively contest it. Please stay in touch via your local VFBV delegates and VFBV website for further updates.

Planned Burning as Training 

For many years, VFBV has been calling for a holistic approach to planned burning, and for CFA to promote the training advantages of participating in planned burns. Planned burns allow newer members to observe and learn fire behaviour, and provide an opportunity for experienced veterans to pass on their knowledge to others.

Volunteers on the VFBV/CFA Joint Community Safety Committee are pleased to see that recent planned burns have developed into exercises, not just in fire behaviour and fuel load interactions but are also offering learnings in weather behaviour, impact on flora and fauna, bush heritage and Indigenous fire management practices.  

The camps provide practical hands-on experience and each participant is tasked with both coaching and mentoring roles, allowing involvement by volunteers across all aspects of the planned burn.  

Recent camps have also involved Traditional Owners, Trust for Nature (landowners) bird scientists, Forest Fire Management Victoria staff, plantation owners and CFA career staff. The exercises worked well, building valuable relationships and creating an atmosphere of co-operation in complex burn scenarios. The Committee has requested CFA promote the camps and provide brigades with opportunities to become involved in upcoming Burn Camps. Brigades are encouraged to keep an eye out for future burn camps and get involved. 

Medium Tanker Evaluation

VFBV will shortly be conducting volunteer evaluation of current build Medium Tankers.  

The purpose of the evaluation is to gather feedback from Brigades that have been issued with Medium Tankers and assess how the cab chassis, locker configuration and base equipment is operating, and if there are any areas of improvement that could be suggested for future builds.  

Part of a continuous improvement initiative, VFBV has offered to run the evaluation and will shortly be inviting feedback from any members who wish to provide their thoughts and experiences of how the Medium Tankers are working in the field.  

Keep an eye out for the survey and if you have any feedback or design ideas that you think would benefit future builds – please get involved.

Hazardous Tree

In order to comply with EMV’s Joint Standard Operating Procedure J8.03 CFA is required to update and distribute its Hazardous Tree awareness and training materials, and ensure all members responding to bushfire incidents have undergone the new Hazardous Tree Management information training package.  

During discussions, VFBV has reiterated its position that all training be made available to volunteers via flexible methods, multiple mediums and that blended learning models be supported where possible.  

CFA has advised that it has incorporated these principles in its proposed package, and has developed processes that will minimise disruption to individual members, but still meet the required learning outcomes. Given the risk that hazardous tree’s presents to firefighters, VFBV has supported this training being made a high priority item before the next fire season.  

Brigades and members are encouraged to undertake the awareness package (which can be delivered online, on DVD or by Brigades/Groups) at their earliest opportunity.

ROP Safety Cushions  

The Joint Equipment & Infrastructure Committee reviewed volunteer feedback from the field trails over the summer season of the Tanker ROP Safety Cushion prototypes.  

These cushions have been designed to minimise the vibration of the vehicle and road being transferred into the spine and back of members, and prevent members being slid from side to side and coming in contact with the ROPS during travel.  

Feedback was overwhelming positive, with the Committee selecting a design and material and recommending a funding proposal be prepared to advance a retro-fit roll-out of the cushions to all Tankers with external ROPs.

We will keep you apprised of progress.

VESEP Update

At the time of going to press, there has not yet been an announcement of this year’s 2017/18 Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP), however VFBV encourages Brigades and Groups, as it does every year - to be planning well in advance and have their support documents at the ready. This year’s program will be the 18th since it’s launch in the year 2000.

VESEP contributes $2 for every $1 of funding contributed by Brigade/ Group/Unit, and hardship provisions are available for Brigades that can demonstrate they are unable to fund the one third contribution.  

When the program is officially announced by the State Government -VESEP grant applications usually need to be with your OM within approximately six weeks of the opening so your local DPC (District Planning Committee) can then meet the following week to consider and prioritise applications – so plan ahead and get ready.

For assistance in preparing your application, or getting started on planning/fundraising for possible future funding rounds, talk to your VFBV State Councillor or VFBV Support Officer, or visit our website for case studies on successful applications from past years. VFBV also has an Application Help Pack which it updates each year once the program is announced, that provides templates and other useful information to assist with your application. Previous VFBV Application Help Packs are available from our website.

Upcoming VFBV Board Vacancies

All members are encouraged to apply for the VFBV Board positions as advertised in the last edition of ‘Fire Wise’.  

VFBV aims to attract a broad range of unique and diverse skills, perspectives and abilities to our organisation.

 VFBV encourages all members to consider applying for the forthcoming VFBV Board positions with four positions expiring 1 October 2017.  

Applications for the VFBV Board close 1 August 2017 – further information is on our website or can be obtained from the VFBV office on 9886 1141 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Position Vacant – VFBV Policy & Advocacy Officer

- Key Strategic Advocacy & Communications Role

- Facilitate and Formulate Policy

VFBV is seeking to appoint a talented and motivated Policy and Advocacy Officer to work fulltime based at our Burwood East office involving broad ranging and rewarding work that supports and benefits our CFA Brigade members across Victoria. This is a key role in the small VFBV team.

The VFBV Policy and Advocacy Officer will play a vital role helping VFBV to work with volunteers to research issues, develop our position on key issues and advocate this position to decision makers and the media.

The person we are looking for will have strong analytical and research skills along with strong verbal and written communication skills. Relevant tertiary qualifications or experience in a related discipline is desirable. Highly developed interpersonal, facilitation and time management skills and the ability to establish and build relationships and work collaboratively with, and influence, a range of external and internal stakeholders is essential.

In addition to relevant skills, the successful applicant will need to have demonstrated empathy with the volunteer culture, be a good listener, and can navigate through complex issues resolution, be a self-starter and have a passion to improve arrangements that benefit the welfare and efficiency of CFA volunteers.

A copy of the Position Description and Application Process can be found on our website or by calling the VFBV office on (03) 9886 1141

The second week of May (from 8–14 May) is National Volunteer Week, an annual and national celebration to acknowledge the generous commitment of our volunteers.

VFBV Media Release

MEDIA RELEASE
May 7, 2017

VICTORIA’S CFA VOLUNTEERS LAUDED FOR PROTECTING THE COMMUNITY

Victoria’s 60,000 CFA volunteers are being lauded during National Volunteer Week for continuing a great Australian tradition of protecting their local communities and beyond.

Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria CEO Andrew Ford said Victoria’s volunteers are essential to public safety and provide a professional service that is effective and affordable. 

“Our dedicated volunteers are continuing a great Australian tradition that is well respected in our communities,” Mr Ford said. 

“This week gives us the opportunity to recognise our volunteers and the work they do and also our communities, employers and families for their support of volunteers.” 

Mr Ford said volunteers are part of the fabric of society and contribute to community resilience. “All CFA volunteers provide a professional service and are glad to do so because they want to contribute to their communities,” he said. 

Volunteers make up 95 per cent of Victoria’s firefighting force, are trained with nationally-recognised qualifications and are on call around the clock every day of the year.

Mr Ford said the flexibility and strength of 60,000 CFA volunteers allows help to be sent across Victoria and beyond in times of emergency.

“Being one of the most bushfire prone areas in the world, we know how important it is for Victoria to be able to call on large numbers of trained and experienced volunteers for big fires and other serious incidents,” he said.

“We can be confident our volunteers are always ready to respond to support communities whenever and wherever disasters occur.”

CFA brigades–mostly run by volunteers– protect 60 per cent of suburban Melbourne, regional cities and all of regional Victoria, providing professional services for everything from bushfires and house fires to floods and road accidents.

National Volunteer Week is from May 8-14

The capacity of volunteers to respond to major disasters around the state is explained in the VFBV’s animated clip found at www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRcDE6d3ljw

CFA Events

CFA have advised of the following 'thank you' events;

State Control Centre Tours

Responding to volunteer criticism that all the tours were originally scheduled on weekdays, CFA have now added two weekend tours to the schedule so those that weren't able to make the original posted dates, might wish to check the two new dates announced.

As part of National Volunteer Week, CFA is giving CFA volunteers the opportunity to take a tour and see what happens behind the scenes at the State Control Centre (SCC).

State Control Centre Tour
Host: Emergency Management Victoria (EMV)
Location: SCC – 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne

Session one: Wednesday 10 May from 2.30pm to 4.30pm

Session two: Friday 12 May from 2.30pm to 4.30pm

Session three: Saturday 13 May from 10.00am to 11.30am

Session four: Saturday 13 May from 2.00pm to 3.30pm

The SCC is an important base that is run by Emergency Management Victoria (EMV). The centre is instrumental in working together with many emergency services to coordinate, lead and organise initiatives whilst supporting all communities.

The tour will start with an overview of the SCC workings and each agency’s usage.

Participants will then be split up into smaller groups and taken on a guided tour of the sections within the SCC to find out for themselves the work that is accomplished using real-life situations.

Sections will include

-       Intelligence including mapping

-       Social Media

-       Public Information

-       Fban – Fire Behaviour Analysis

-       Airdesk

-       Resources and logistics

There are 40 places available on each SCC tour. To register via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as soon as possible and include your name, contact number, agency, volunteer number, tour date and preferred time.

Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority Tour

As part of National Volunteer Week, CFA is giving CFA volunteers the opportunity to take a tour and see what happens behind the scenes at Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA).

Host: Anthony Jones – ESTA

Location: ESTA – 33 Lakeside Drive, Burwood East

Session one: Tuesday 9 May from 4.00pm to 4.45pm

Session two: Tuesday 9 May from 5.00pm to 5.45pm

ESTA is dedicated to delivering quality community safety services to the Victorian Public by providing the critical link between the Victorian Community and the State’s emergency services agencies.

The tour will start with an overview of ESTA followed by a tour and question and answer time.

There are 12 places available on each ESTA tour, all places for these tours have been filled. 

Photo Competition 

As part of National Volunteer Week 2017 CFA wants to honour volunteers through pictures taken by volunteers. 

The CFA National Volunteer Week photo competition is open to all CFA volunteers to capture the essence of CFA Values (safety, respect, together, integrity and adaptive) and teamwork that exists throughout brigades around the state.

CFA draws together volunteers from all walks of life. But no matter what we bring as individuals, it's only through cooperation, shared values and teamwork that our brigades can thrive.

This competition sets out to capture this through imagery. So now is the time to get your creative juices flowing. What makes your volunteers so special to you or your community? Be traditional or think outside the square and be artistic. The choice is yours.

The prize winner will receive a $250 Bunnings voucher plus a framed copy of the winning photo. The winning Photo will also be used as the cover photograph on the CFA Facebook page during National Volunteer Week and shared across CFA social media during May 2017.

For the Prize Winner’s brigade, they will receive a framed copy of the Photo and a prize up to the value of $1,000 for the purchase of non-operational equipment  ie branded marquee, BBQ, lawnmower, chairs fridge etc.  CFA will purchase the equipment on the brigade’s behalf, no cash will be given and there will be no reimbursement for equipment or goods already purchased by the brigade.

So start snapping now. The competition opens on Friday 21 April 2017 and closes Wednesday 3 May 2017 at 5pm. Email your entry as a JPEG file to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  (Maximum image size 10MB and if entering twice images to be sent separately)

Individuals can submit up to two entries. Entry is open to all CFA volunteers (CFA employees can only enter if they are current CFA brigade volunteers).

Parade of Honour

There will be a Lap of Honour around the MCG on Saturday 13 May before the AFL game between Essendon and Geelong as part of AFL Country Round. This Lap of Honour will also include volunteers from SES and Life Saving Victoria. Contact your District OM if you are interested in attending. 

A Note For Members: Law firm blog about CFA changes
Tuesday April 11th 2017

You may become aware of a legal blog article, published a few days ago by Philip Gardner a partner with law firm Ryan Carlisle Thomas Lawyers, and circulating on social media.  The article is promoting a restructure of Victorian fire service boundaries and a carve up of CFA. 

Philip Gardner and Ryan Carlisle Thomas lawyers have been engaged by the UFU at various times and acted for the UFU in seeking to block VFBV from being allowed to assist the Fair Work Commission (FWC) a year or so ago when we sought to assist the FWC to understand volunteer concerns with the proposed EBA prior to the events, sackings, Supreme Court action and Fair Work Act amendment that followed over the past year.

Ironically, the author as a lawyer has paid no heed to the CFA or Emergency Management Acts, let alone the high functioning capacity of our emergency management arrangements regardless of the ongoing UFU campaign.

The author ignores the facts that:

• CFA is a successful world renowned volunteer based integrated fire service operating in suburban, regional and rural Victoria (hasn’t been anything like the blogs description of CFA as being only a rural based service fire service for generations and has always had urban and rural components);
  
  
• a small number of paid operational staff including firefighters have been a successful feature of CFA and its predecessors going back to the 19th century;
  
  
• Victoria’s emergency management capacity to deal with fire, floods and other disasters across the state (and often simultaneous emergency events in different parts of the State) is based on the surge capacity inherent in our volunteer system, particularly from the large number of urban volunteers who have sufficient numbers to provide local response capacity and at the same time surge capacity to multiple events across the state for days, weeks and sometimes months – pushing out volunteers from urban areas using boundary changes would be truly disastrous for Victoria;
  
  
• Victoria’s emergency management capability cannot exist without the huge numbers of trained and experienced volunteers, which can supply trained, qualified and experienced firefighters (for local service delivery and around the state as needed) for weeks and even months if necessary and to multiple concurrent emergencies because of the very large numbers;
  
  
• there will be enormous cost to the community if the existing urban volunteer brigades in suburban Melbourne and major regional cities were to be pushed aside and replaced by additional paid firefighters;
  
  
• the UFU, Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister James Merlino have made repeated claims that the proposed EBA has no effect on volunteers and if these statements are true the Fair Work Act amendments have no application.  The Fair Work Act amendments only apply if EBA clauses interfere with an emergency organisations (such as CFA), legitimate work of:
  
  
  • engaging and deploying its volunteers;
  • providing support and equipment to its volunteers;
  • managing its relationship or work with any recognised emergency in relation to volunteers;
  • managing its operations in relation to those volunteers;
  • being able to consult, make decisions and take action regarding the above;
  • recognising, valuing, respecting and promoting the contribution of its volunteers; and
  • complying with the State laws such as the CFA Act
    
    
• the Fair Work Act amendments do not prohibit CFA management from making decisions about minimum staffing. The author forgets to mention that he is not even recognising volunteers as a legitimate part of crewing numbers;
  
  
• the Fair Work Act amendments have not caused any disruption to CFA’s management of its paid firefighters and the amendments have not even been tested because the UFU has resisted CFA attempts to have the proposed EBA considered by the Fair Work Commission;
  
  
• the Fair Work Act amendments do not render CFAs management of its employed firefighters unworkable and they are entirely consistent with the current CFA Chief Officers view (as presented to the Senate Inquiry into the Fair Work Act amendment) that any award or agreement made under the Fair Work Act cannot be allowed to interfere with or detract from his powers and obligations under the CFA Act;
  
  
• the Federal Government’s Fair Work Act amendments do no more than enforce what is in Victoria’s own CFA and Emergency Management Acts as they apply to volunteers which has been repeatedly supported by both Labor and the Coalition in the Victorian Parliament – the Federal amendments simply removed an anomaly whereby the enterprise bargaining arrangements under the Fair Work Act (up until last October’s Federal amendments) could be manipulated to by-pass the state parliament and override the CFA and Emergency Management Acts and the framework they have for the organisation and operation of CFA (and other) volunteers.
   

Having ignored these critically important facts, the article is nothing but pure propaganda (without factual merit) aimed at planting a seed of fear and resentment towards volunteers to further another agenda.  I think it is time that we called this out. It is not about community safety or a benefit to Victoria if it displaces or erodes volunteer capacity. And all this comes at an enormous cost, both in dollars; loss of emergency management capability and capacity; loss of local community capacity and reduced community resilience.

Editorial: Thank you CFA volunteers, you give me great hope
By Andrew Ford, VFBV Chief Executive Officer

Like my reflections in the last edition of Fire Wise, this month I want to continue my reflection on the great enthusiasm and dedication shown by hundreds of CFA volunteers and the CFA staff who made the recent VFBV State Championships held in Bendigo and Wodonga, so inspiring and such a great symbol of our CFA spirit and hope.

And the great truth is that what we see at the VFBV State Championships is just a brief portrait and window into the amazing things our CFA members do in their local communities every day of the year. Communities from all corners of Victoria, well known townships and places many have never heard of.

The events treated those who attended to a picture of thriving young volunteer participation, just under 800 junior volunteer participants in total; almost 2000 competitors altogether at the State championships and many more who participated just as eagerly in local support, training and District events throughout the year. Hundreds of volunteers, long serving CFA Brigade and Group leaders, mentors and support teams working alongside the competitors and in the background.

Generations of volunteers knowing the value the championships provide to recruiting new members, honing their teamwork and practical skills. They represent tomorrows dedicated CFA volunteers, future volunteer leaders and the next generation of CFA, building community connections, social fabric and todays local capacity.

Emergency Management Commissioner Lapsley wrote to me following his attendance thanking VFBV for the commitment and professionalism that made these events the success they are and recognising the commitment and leadership that is displayed. Talking with Craig and CFA newly appointed Chief Officer Steve Warrington and many others I am encouraged by a deep recognition that many of todays most skilled and dedicated volunteers and EM Sector leaders (including both Craig and Steve) cut their teeth as junior championship competitors.

As an example, one volunteer brigade has five of their past six Captains having started their CFA volunteering as junior members running at local fire brigade championships. Literally hundreds of CFA’s most experienced operational volunteers started their volunteering in the same way. There is justifiably a huge emphasis currently on encouraging all of us to embrace greater diversity in CFA including a need to encourage more women in CFA. The signs are positive for the future if we look at the young people coming through the brigade teams at the recent championships – just under 40% of the junior competitors were young women.

Talking of this, you will notice an advertisement in this edition of Fire Wise for VFBV Board positions. I encourage anyone who believes they can contribute at VFBV Board level to apply. Talking with Samantha Rothman, one of our last VFBV Board appointments there are many people out in our volunteer pool who underestimate the value that they could bring to the Board table. I know many very wise older people but I also know some extremely impressive young people. And gender is not a determinant of brainpower of leadership. So please make the Board selection panels job as hard as you can and serve up a fantastic pool of applicants!

Back to the championships. During these two major events, I had a constant stream of volunteers from all over the state, some I knew well, others I had not met before, all offering their gratitude and thanks for the work VFBV is doing and offering their full support for us to keep up the efforts to preserve the very essence of CFA – volunteerism, community participation, dedication and respect. Thank you for this support it means a lot and I assure you we will not give up.

It is no secret that CFA has been enduring tough times both at the top end and also right down to grass roots and brigade level. We have had our previous Board sacked for standing up for the rights of volunteers and CFA decision making powers; we have had an outstanding CEO, Lucinda Nolan, pushed out for similar reasons and gagged from talking about her concerns; our well respected and values driven CFA Chief Officer Joe Buffone resigned, publicly stating that the proposed EBA/industrial agreement between UFU and CFA would fundamentally change his decision making approach and inhibit his ability to discharge his statutory obligations as CFA Chief Officer; Minister Jane Garret forced out and demonstrating guts and real integrity at the expense of her cabinet position; and many other senior CFA officers gone or numbed into inaction.

The latest anxiety swirls around speculation that somewhere in the depths of bureaucracy or Government there is a secret plan or deal being done with the UFU to dismantle the CFA structure to circumvent the industrial parameters now in place through the Fair Work Act amendment, or worse, possibly just as pay back for volunteers making a stand. There was naturally huge talk about this amongst all attending the championships and elsewhere throughout CFA circles. And many people are asking for answers.

Unfortunately, I do not have much to report other than to repeat what I have reported previously. VFBV has not been involved in any discussion, if there is one.

Even the person on the street knows it would be reckless for any proposal that erodes Victoria’s volunteer fire and emergency service capacity to be contemplated, especially if this is driven by political or industrial motivation.

On an encouraging note, despite the message being pedalled by some and the real speculation by many senior officers within the EM Sector, both CFA Chief Officer and the Emergency Management Commissioner have assured me that they are not involved in any discussions, plans or intent to restructure, carve up or dismantle the CFA volunteer based and integrated service model.

Only a few weeks ago, in response to the current Victorian State Parliamentary Standing Committee on Environment and Planning (Inquiry into fire season preparedness) Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley stated under oath that there is no work that he has done toward a new model for CFA and there is nothing in his remit to Government to look at changing legislation or changing organisations (CFA and MFESB).

He stated that he is not doing any work on changing the CFA service model or boundaries or work on amalgamations between CFA and MFB.

I think we owe it to these two, as the people with legislated roles and powers, to trust that no one would contemplate a change without their careful consideration and formal advice.

On the one hand I urge everyone to maintain hope and faith that our leaders, laws and systems will not fail us. Stay motivated as volunteers and for now keep focussed on working as a team, respecting one another and delivering services to the community. On the other hand, if our laws and systems are ignored, be ready to come out very strongly if someone dumps a carve up of CFA on the table. Get your networks in place now and stay tuned so that we can keep you informed.

Engaging Diversity

VFBV continues its programs of encouraging and engaging diversity from the ground up. This year’s VFBV Leadership Program continues to embrace and support volunteers from other agencies, with scholarships awarded to volunteers from CFA, SES, Ambulance Victoria, St John, Live Saving Victoria and the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard.

Over the last 12 months, the VFBV Multi-Agency Youth Network is growing from strength to strength with over 100 young volunteer delegates formally joining the network to represent their District, and start the journey towards establishing our very first State Youth Council with the support and encouragement of VFBV State Council.

Also over the last couple of months, brigade and group competition teams – both juniors and seniors have been on display to the Victorian community, with over 1,800 individual competitors competing at this year’s VFBV State Championships. This year’s State Rural Junior Championships has set a new record for female participation, with over 40% of competitors comprised of young women representing their brigade, competing in fully integrated teams, and eager to join the ranks as senior volunteer firefighters in the years to come.

And last, but by no means least, following this year’s fire season VFBV is this month rolling out its new Brigade Delegate training package across the State, which has been themed as engaging diversity to complement our other programs, and provide practical skills and knowledge to volunteers taking on the VFBV Delegate role at their brigade or group level. Please refer to its dedicated story below.

Brigade delegate training

VFBV District Councils can now book their local VFBV Delegate Development Program course. This two day course will be held on weekends and has been mapped to national competencies from the Australian Public Safety units, and has been themed as “VFBV Delegate Development Program: Engaging Diversity.”

It has been designed on the premise that if we want to attract, encourage and support a diverse range of leaders and delegates now and into the future, what kind of skills will our current leaders need to have to do that effectively?

This course will provide delegates with tools and techniques to improve and develop their issues resolution, communication skills, problem solving, decision making, teamwork, relationship and network building, strategic thinking and leadership. The objective is to increase the level of engagement between District Councils, brigades/groups and individuals, and help delegates be more involved, not just with their own issues but issues on a broader scale.

The course is available to all current and aspiring VFBV Brigade/Group delegates and office holders, with approximately 20 places available per district. As an option, members who successfully complete the course and associated assessments will be eligible to enrol to have their training recognised on their training records through a RPL process, that VFBV will support individual candidates with. Alternatively, members can simply do the course to enhance or develop their skills as a brigade delegate.

VFBV District Councils are currently registering available dates, and will shortly be contacting their brigades with full details.

To nominate for the course or ask a question, contact your local District Council executive member, or VFBV Support Officer for more details.

VFBV Affiliation

VFBV’s representation of CFA’s volunteers continues to win growing approval and support with a new record high of 95% Brigades affiliating with VFBV and almost 90% of Brigades subscribing to the VFBV Welfare Fund in 2016/17.

After a very challenging year, it is extremely rewarding to know we have record levels of membership and support. 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.

The 2017/18 affiliation notices for your Brigade/ Group’s VFBV affiliation and VFBV Welfare Fund Subscriptions are with your Secretary now, with a due date of 30 June 2017.

As well as affiliating with VFBV, we strongly encourage Brigades to subscribe to the VFBV Welfare Fund. It can provide small grants to assist volunteer members, their immediate family members and long serving ex-members, who are suffering significant financial hardship, with grants up to $5,000.

VFBV and its predecessor associations established the fund in 1913. Since then the fund has helped over 1,000 volunteers. Over the last 10 years alone, the fund has provided grants worth over $1M, with an approval rate of 100% of received applications approved by the Management Committee over the last 12 months.

For any queries about VFBV affiliation contact your State Councillor or the VFBV office on (03) 9886 1141.

State Championship results

At this year’s 134th Annual Urban State Championships, Maryvale won its 16th State Championship Grand Aggregate at Bendigo with 88 points.

Maryvale’s win was closely contested by Kangaroo Flat with both teams on almost equal points at the start of the final day of competition, however Maryvale sealed its win with two first placings to Kangaroo Flat’s one win in the Hose & Reel Eights.

With early historical records dating back to 1882 only recording brigade names and not competitors, it is believed that this year for possibly the first time, a female competitor has competed in a winning team in the A Section Hose & Reel 8s event.

Kate Dargaville and her team-mates Jackson, Thomas, Jamie, James, Craig, Lachie, Jack and David representing Kangaroo Flat were successful. Of special note is four members of the team are all from the same family, with coach David Dargaville joined by daughter Kate and sons Jackson and Thomas, all leaving an enviable legacy.

Tatura easily won the B Section aggregate with 75 points, with a couple of the brigade’s junior competitors now moving into the senior team – both juniors having been members of the Tatura team winning successive Junior State Championship titles for the past four years. Pakenham convincingly won the C Section Aggregate with 84 points, from Hoppers Crossing 53 points and Eaglehawk B 51 points.

Aggregate winners at the 61st Senior State Rural Championship at Wodonga were Division 1 Beazley’s Bridge A with 52 points, from second placed Greta A with 42 points (winner of last year’s Division 1). Division 2 was won by Chiltern A with 56 points with Dunrobin/ Nangeela C second with 38 points; and Sedgwick A won Division 3 with 32 points from Pearcedale B with 22 points.

At this year’s 39th Junior State Rural Championships, Stuart Mill won its first Championship with Eldorado A a close second. Stuart Mill A won the 11-13 Years Aggregate with Eldorado A winning the 11-15 Years Aggregate – but Stuart Mill A won the overall Junior Grand Aggregate on 82 points, with Eldorado A second on 74 points.

Below: Some of the action from the Junior State Rural Championships at Wodonga and Urban State Championships at Bendigo.