VFBV

Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley has posted his National Volunteer Week video tribute to emergency volunteers on YouTube – you can see it here.

There are close to 100,000 emergency volunteers in Victoria, including 60,000 CFA volunteers.

Here are some CFA volunteer facts and figures: 

• There are nearly 60,000 CFA volunteers in more than 1,200 Brigades statewide
• Emergency volunteering is a professional field, with volunteers trained to nationally recognised standards, and CFA Brigades protecting 60% of suburban Melbourne, regional cities and country Victoria, every day and night of the year
• CFA Brigades deal with all manner of emergencies all year round, including house fires, industrial fires, road accidents, floods, chemical spills and rescues, as well as the bushfires of summer
• There are approximately 10,000 CFA volunteers in the outer suburbs of Melbourne
• The CFA’s volunteer firefighters are emergency services professionals with nationally recognised qualifications, working to the same response standards as paid firefighters
• There are also thousands of non-operational CFA volunteers, performing vital support roles, handling equipment maintenance, fundraising, administration and community education
• CFA volunteers are more than 90% of the state’s fire fighting force and 97% of CFA. The great capacity of the volunteer system allows CFA Brigades to provide thousands of trained, experienced firefighters to combat bushfires and other emergencies such as floods, while still providing round-the-clock protection to their own communities
• CFA Brigades protect 3.3 million Victorians and one million dwellings every day and night of the year.

COMPETITION: CFA’s 12 Week Get Moving Challenge

Get Moving is a state-wide competition for CFA volunteers and staff which challenges members to increase the number of steps they take in a day while shedding some kilos.

CFA members who sign up for the 12-week program (24 March – 17 June) receive a pedometer which they can wear during the day to keep count of their total steps. A drink bottle will also be provided to each registrant.

Due to current and recent fires, the competition will now be held one month later than originally advertised to allow everyone to participate. Members who have already registered will stay registered for the new dates.

About the Challenge

Participants are asked to report their average daily steps and their "before and after" waist measurement, and go into the running for one of 20 prizes including a treadmill, spin bike and $1000 sports equipment voucher. As well as prizes linked to results there are a number of generous random entry prizes.

Registrations

Registrations for the challenge close on March 18. Supplies of the bonus items are limited, so it's first in, best dressed. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to register, or search for “Get Moving” on Brigades Online and register from there.