Today the Victorian Government announced a significant package of reforms to strengthen the delivery of the fire services that keep our community safe.
The full statement can be viewed here.
These reforms will allow CFA to concentrate on promoting, supporting and advancing the interests of volunteers and the communities they serve.
A key component of these reforms includes new laws to give all firefighters equal access to compensation for cancers contracted while in the line of duty.
This means all firefighters will have greater certainty in being able to access compensation benefits for specified cancers.
Under the government’s package of reforms, CFA will receive new equipment, more funding and a structure to better support volunteers and staff.
The package includes more than $100 million of new funding to volunteer brigades, providing additional training, equipment and facilities to further enhance CFA’s capacity to protect Victorians. This comprises:
- A $56.2 million CFA Support Fund to strengthen volunteer recruitment, retention and training options, expand brigade support and develop leadership; and
- The creation of the Emergency Services Infrastructure Authority, which will coordinate and deliver new facilities including the $44 million CFA station program.
The reforms will also establish a new organisation called Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) to service metropolitan Melbourne and our major regional centres.
FRV will bring together MFB and CFA career firefighters from the 35 integrated stations to service the areas currently covered by integrated stations.
The biggest change in the announcement relates to career firefighters and some support staff who will transition to FRV. These people will be supported during this change.
FRV will now employ highly-trained, dedicated and skilled CFA career firefighters.
We acknowledge the critical role these men and women have played in CFA.
There will be no job losses or redundancies for career firefighters and staff.
These reforms will deliver better training, brigade support and equipment for volunteers across Victoria.
Volunteers will remain integral to Victoria’s response to fires and other emergencies, particularly in campaign and surge events.
In coming days and weeks, key CFA personnel will visit brigades across Victoria to talk to staff, career firefighters and volunteers about these reforms.
FACT SHEET
The Victorian Government has announced a significant package of reforms to strengthen the delivery of the fire services that keep our community safe.
A key component of these reforms includes new laws to give all firefighters equal access to compensation for cancers contracted while in the line of duty.
This means all firefighters will have greater certainty in being able to access compensation benefits for specified cancers.
The package also includes more than $100 million of new funding to volunteer brigades, providing additional training, equipment and facilities to further enhance CFA’s capacity to protect Victorians. This comprises:
- A $56.2 million CFA Support Fund to strengthen volunteer recruitment, retention and training options, expand brigade support and develop leadership; and
- The creation of the Emergency Services Infrastructure Authority, which will co-ordinate and deliver new facilities including the $44 million CFA station program.
The reforms will also establish a new organisation called Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) to service metropolitan Melbourne and our major regional centres.
FRV will bring together MFB and CFA career firefighters from the 35 integrated stations to service the areas currently covered by integrated stations.
CFA’s 1,220 volunteer brigades will continue to serve and protect their communities just as they always have.
CFA volunteer brigades will continue to operate under the leadership of CFA’s Chief Officer.
The biggest change in the announcement concerns career firefighters and some support staff who will transition to FRV. They will be fully supported during this transition.
There will be no job losses or redundancies for career firefighters and staff.
Individual brigades will continue to have assignment areas. In areas where FRV will be designated as the first responders, volunteer surge capacity and back-up responses will be preserved.
Tailored support will be provided for volunteers at the 35 integrated stations where career firefighters will transfer to FRV.
We will work with volunteers in the 35 integrated stations to identify the best solution for each volunteer and each brigade.
We want to support volunteers to remain at their station and co-locate with FRV, and to preserve and strengthen their volunteer connection and contribution.
It’s important to reiterate that this package will protect surge capacity, and it is designed to deliver better service throughout Victoria.
If you have any questions or would like further information you can contact a dedicated information line for volunteers and CFA staff by calling 1300 339 558.
Author: CFA Media