If you’ve been following our 2-Minute-briefings over the year, you would be aware that we have been at loggerheads with CFA over its attempted introduction of new medical standards. 

Over the past 12 months, we have had more volunteers and brigades raising concerns with how CFA has treated medical issues than on any other issue. Complaints about the lack of transparency, lack of communication, shifting goal posts, long and complex forms, rigid interpretation of risks and conditions, a culture of rejection rather than risk mitigation or treatment plans, breaches of privacy and secretive review panels that have not disclosed what medical information they are considering, let alone who is actually on them. 

Inexplicably, these complaints are evidence of a culture and approach that saw CFA attempt to unilaterally introduce processes and protocols that perceivably try to apply the highest level of medical standards on any firefighter anywhere in the country – including across paid services. Just think about that for a moment. 

A community member who puts up their hand and says they wish to share responsibility for their fire safety is being told by the organisation Parliament has tasked with making that happen that they must exceed standards that apply to those who wish to be employed by career fire services. And someone thought that would be a good idea and sounded fair and reasonable to them? 

Upon questioning, CFA representatives charged with working on these new arrangements exclaimed that they did not consult with VFBV or volunteers on their development because we “are not doctors.” When delegates to our People, Culture and Safety Committee pointed at that neither were the CFA staff, management committee or the CFA Board subcommittee charged with overseeing their development – you could hear crickets. 

Funny how hypocrisy does that. 

At the end of the day – it is all a moot point. 

The CFA Act requires CFA to consult with VFBV and provides no such qualifications for CFA to ignore this statutory obligation. No ifs, buts or maybes. Consultation is non-negotiable, and it pains me to no end that we are still required to remind work units of their obligations under their own Act. But I am unapologetic when things get to this stage and we must call it out. 

I am also at pains to add that it demonstrates an abject failure of CFA’s governance framework that allows such blatant failures to go undetected for so long. 

VFBV is demanding that CFA’s medical guidelines and processes will be developed in the open, and in full consultation with VFBV and volunteers. Given asthma and diabetes seem to be the most common conditions responsible for the majority of anguish, we are urging CFA to prioritise these and any other common conditions to front load the review. 

Rejecting an applicant because they report they had childhood asthma and have not used Ventolin or had an attack for over 20 years is simply bureaucracy gone mad. I was recently told a story by an ACFO of a volunteer who had applied to a small rural brigade that was desperate for members, only to be told due to childhood asthma they could not. 

The prospective members own GP wrote back to CFA advising the last recorded attack was when they were 12 years old, and that there had been no recorded issues or concerns in the past 15 years and this prospective member was a young and fit adult that was more than capable of meeting the requirements. When the decision finally got overruled some nine months later, when the ACFO called to let the person know they had been accepted – he was advised the person was overseas competing at the Winter Olympics. Apparently this prospective member was fit enough to be an Olympian but not fit enough to pass some tick box exercise. Madness. 

In going through the myriad of examples that members have provided us over the past 12 months, it is clear to me that one of the fundamentals that needs to be on the table is the role of external providers. 

In the past, CFA employed its own Chief Medical Officer. And while this had its complications, it is clear that the introduction of third-party providers has not created the efficiencies or benefits sought. Certainly not to volunteers anyway. It was sold to volunteers as the solution to a bottleneck that saw volunteers having to travel long distances and experience long delays to visit a Melbourne based doctor. 

Arguably, the issue of long delays has not changed. Based on volunteer feedback to VFBV - the end user volunteer experience has certainly been far worse. Perceivably, third party providers have simply replaced CFA’s risk appetite, with their own. Load in the community and volunteer nature of CFA and the differences in risk models and risk appetite of an emergency service provider that is necessarily different to what the typical corporate environment that third party providers are used to servicing and is it any wonder this friction is playing out? 

It has also opened up a situation where a member navigating the processes is handballed between CFA and the third-party provider often leaving them stranded and confused as to who is actually the decision maker. In some instances, CFA has also distanced itself from the performance and accountabilities of looking after its own members, hiding behind faceless providers. 

Broader impacts are also becoming evident. 

We have been hearing horror stories of members losing faith and confidence to engage with rehab units or medical monitoring at incidents – afraid that they will get caught in this nexus. District Councils have provided examples of the fear of retribution from seeking medical assistance. From a safety-first perspective, this is a horrible outcome where members are too afraid to engage with medical services afraid it is simply a punitive service and it will simply be easier for CFA to revoke their operational status than work with them to manage their condition. 

This is the consequences of a system that has been modified without volunteer engagement and consultation. When the users of the system do not have faith or confidence that it has their interests at heart and that it is neither fair or reasonable and will only be used to punish or discard – then this is a failure that arguably poses a far greater risk to members health and safety. 

Fortunately, the main protagonists have since departed CFA, and VFBV has been working diligently with new management to bring this sorry chapter to a close. I often say the strength of our relationship with CFA is based on our ability to have the hard conversations driven by a desire to reach a solution rather than just focusing on the theatrics of the argument. 

I am pleased therefore to report that discussions have resumed and have been far more productive than those previously. I have been impressed with CFA’s new GM of Health, Safety and Wellbeing and am becoming increasingly optimistic that CFA has heard our concerns and rethought the fundamentals about what it is trying to achieve and how it will approach it. 

I am hesitant to say to members that all is fixed and is going to be solved and get better very soon. I am however willing to say that things seem to be moving in the right direction, and I do see evidence of a new approach. I also want to acknowledge the support of the CFA Executive, in particular the CFA CEO for bringing these matters to a head. 

While it is early days, there is cause for optimism. 

I also want to assure members that VFBV is keenly aware of the need to balance the needs of individuals with the need to ensure individual members do not pose an unacceptable risk to those they work beside. This is a delicate balance but is not insurmountable. Career services work through these issues everyday. Too often than not – volunteers are seen as a soft target. 

Thank-you to those volunteers and brigades who have been engaging with us to help us understand the issues and friction points. Please keep an eye out for consultation opportunities as we work through the next layers of detail and keep providing the feedback that helps us identify the priorities. 

Which brings me to the usual chestnut about time and space. I know there is a lot going on at the moment. 

Rather than expecting everyone to engage on everything, I highly encourage brigades and groups to frequently promote the various consultation opportunities available so that members can pursue what interests them most. One of the benefits of VFBV’s advocacy is that it is informed by a very large and diverse network that helps us identify consensus and those issues where support significantly varies. 

This is why it is important to recognise that members experience is often significantly affected by the size of their brigade, its classification, its leadership, where it is located and the myriads of differing demographics across the State. 

Rather than a curse, it is our main strength and helps us identify solutions that suit the broadest number of people and brigades. Thank-you for your continued assistance and support as we continue to address the issues you tell us are your priorities. And while progress is often slow and non-linear, rest assured we are working hard to seek the improvements you have asked us for. 

The annual VFBV Volunteer Survey will close shortly. 

Visit the VFBV website to do the survey today. Paper copies are also available by calling the VFBV Office on (03) 9886 1141. 

Applications are now open for the 2026 Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP), with the closing date fast approaching. VFBV has updated its VESEP Help Pack to assist brigades and groups with their VESEP applications.
 
VESEP provides grants of $2 for every $1 of Brigade or Group funding to assist brigades and groups in acquiring a wide range of additional equipment in recognition of the significant contribution emergency service volunteers provide in supporting Victorian communities. This year Brigades and Groups can apply for a grant of up to $250,000 - an increase on the previous maximum grant. 

Now in its 26th year, VESEP first started out as the Community Safety Emergency Support Program in 2000 and was designed in close consultation with VFBV and volunteers, with the intent being a grants program designed by volunteers with minimal administration required from volunteers. 

Brigades that do not have enough funds to cover the one-third contribution may apply for a hardship grant, that can waive part or all of the contribution. 

See our help pack for details, including closing dates for applications. 

In this year’s affiliation pack sent to all Brigade/Group Secretaries is a CFA annual allowance survey. 

With recent break ins fuelling a desire to invest in increased security, together with the impacts of inflation on increasing everyday costs, an increasing number of brigades and groups are advising VFBV that their CFA annual allowance no longer covers basic expenses or amenity and has not changed for many years. 

Recent requests from VFBV to the CFA Board to apply CPI increases to Brigade and Group allowances has not achieved a satisfactory response, and as a result the survey data will inform further VFBV advocacy on this issue. 

All responses are confidential with only de-identified information to be shared with CFA. 

Help us help you and ensure your secretary or treasurer returns the survey by Monday 31st August 2026.

Thank you for members’ strong show of support! 

In 2025/26, brigades and groups showed it is more important than ever that volunteers have a strong, united and independent voice and peak body with the overwhelming majority of Brigades choosing unity over division and supporting VFBV’s important work representing and advocating for volunteers. Thank you to all brigades and groups who affiliated last year and helped us stand up forvolunteers. 

In the coming weeks, brigade and group secretaries will receive the 2026/27 renewal notices. 

Those who pay before 31st July will be automatically entered into a draw to win one of four extremely worthwhile prizes valued at approximately $4,000. Prizes have been donated by GAAM and we sincerely thank them for their continued support.

VFBV has been requested by CFA to review and provide feedback on a proposed Honours, Awards and Remembrance Policy and a proposed Revocation of Honours and Awards Procedure.

Members are invited to examine the proposed documents and share their views on the proposed policy and procedure. These are two new documents being introduced into CFA’s doctrine. 

Please visit the VFBV website to access the proposed policy and procedure and for information on how to provide feedback. Feedback on the honours and awards policy and procedure will close at the end of June 2026.   

Vacancies on the VFBV Board will arise when the terms of four VFBV Board members expire on 1 October 2026. All are eligible for reappointment. 

VFBV invites applications from any CFA volunteer who is motivated by the prospect of making a difference and believes they have the skills to contribute to the VFBV Board level. 

The role of a board member involves contributing to VFBV direction, policy determination and monitoring the performance and governance of the Association. This includes actively contributing to policy discussion, consulting with CFA volunteers and contributing to the identification and management of strategic issues. 

VFBV is seeking applications from gender and culturally diverse candidates in addition to a diverse range of skills and experience including applications from diverse brigade types and classifications. 

Members should familiarise themselves with the VFBV Board member role statement and key selection criteria available from the VFBV website or via the VFBV office (03) 9886 1141.

Applications close on Monday 31 August 2026.  

A reminder that the eligible volunteers rebate scheme is now open for eligible volunteers and life members to apply for a rebate on an eligible property under the Emergency Services Tax. 

VFBV continues to hear misinformation about eligibility. Some members have reported they are not eligible due to the current rate freeze that paused the primary producer tax rate to last year’s levels. 

This pause does not affect the rebate scheme, and members who own their primary place of residence or farm and are listed on the title, are encouraged to assess their eligibility for a rebate by logging into their CFA online account, to complete the CFA eligibility test.  

To check the rules and eligibility requirements, you can visit: https://www.vic.gov.au/evrs  

If you are eligible and own an eligible property, head to Members Online to start the process. 

CFA has released the Contemporary Volunteer Membership Model Options Paper  and seeks your feedback on 13 recommended options that are designed to support real life circumstances and improve the way people join, stay, move between brigades, contribute in different ways, and transition across roles over time. All while supporting brigades to broaden and maintain their membership and strengthen capability without the unnecessary burdens.

The options come directly from what volunteers and brigades have told CFA over the past several years about some of the unintentional barriers in the current model that limit opportunities for volunteering.

A CFA survey and FAQ is available here.

Eight pages of updates from the CFA/VFBV Joint Committees are included in this month’s VFBV Quarterly Supplement that is included in this edition of Fire Wise.

VFBV provides a free copy of Fire Wise to all brigade Captains and Secretaries, as well as all Group Officers and Group Secretaries.

The 2-Minute Briefings from each committee provides a quick way to stay updated on important updates to the issues raised by volunteers through VFBV District Councils.

Electronic copies of the quarterly supplement can be accessed via the VFBV website.  

The CFA Act recognises that it is important that the CFA Board has strong volunteer expertise, knowledge and an understanding of CFA volunteers. To support this, four of the skills-based CFA Board members are appointed by the Minister for Emergency Services from a panel of names submitted by VFBV. This year, the terms of two volunteer nominees will expire in December 2026, with both members eligible for re-appointment. One is for a volunteer from brigades predominantly serving rural communities, and the other being for a volunteer from brigades predominantly serving urban communities.

CFA volunteers who believe they have the skills, experience and capacity to make a contribution to the Board of CFA are invited to apply. In addition to volunteer experience and knowledge, selection will have regard to any of the following - knowledge of or experience in; commercial; technical; operational; legal or financial matters; expertise in fire or emergency management; land management; or any other field relevant to the performance of the functions of the CFA.

VFBV is seeking applications from gender and culturally diverse candidates in addition to a diverse range of skills and experience including applications from diverse brigade types and classifications.

Members should familiarise themselves with the CFA Board Charter and further information on the application process is available from the VFBV website or via the office at (03) 9886 1141.

A closing date for applications will be advised shortly. 

Donate Now - Supporting CFA Volunteers in a time of need 

Now Open - 2025/26 VFBV Volunteer Survey

Feedback Requested - CFA Honours and Awards documents

VFBV Board Vacancies 

2026 VESEP Applications Now Open and VFBV Help Pack

Bushfire Recovery Resources 

SOP Feedback - December 2025 

Contemporary Volunteer Membership Model Options Paper

Emergency Services Tax Forecast Funding 

SOP Feedback - Various Interim SOP's (October 2025)

CFA Board Vacancies 

Presumptive Legislation Update