The Volunteerism team has begun a statewide process to collect recruitment needs data from each brigade. This information will feed into an improved process to match the new member enquiries received centrally with identified volunteer vacancies within brigades.
It will also help to identify common gaps and trends to assist with addressing recommendations from the Victorian Auditor-General Office report in relation to CFA’s volunteer workforce management.
The data will be collected by District Volunteerism Coordinators for their respective districts by speaking with catchment teams who understand the recruitment needs of their brigades. The data collection tool was trialled in Districts 14 and 15 and it has been refined to ensure the most relevant data will be collected from across the state using a consistent process.
This process will provide an opportunity for catchment teams and brigades to identify where there are gaps and whether recruitment is the solution. This can lead to enabling brigades to undertake targeted recruitment activities and to identify any support required.
The data collected will include:
- how often the brigade recruits
- what triggers a need to recruit
- whether they are currently recruiting
- if so, for what roles – operational and/or brigade support (and which specific roles)
This work is part of the broader Recruitment Program led by OT&V and supported by a reference group of F&EM, P&C, ICT, OT&V and VFBV representatives. Other initiatives within the Program include:
- systems - improvements to the central enquiry process and system including CFA website and online form, new member enquiry emails and 1800 number and improvement implementation
- female recruitment - activities to support the Board-endorsed target of recruiting at least 35 per cent female volunteers in 2014-2015
- targeted recruitment - activities to support targeted recruitment in priority areas including daytime response and IMT capability, including consideration of short-term and flexible volunteering options.
For more information please contact Rebecca Tidey – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0428 905 310.
Author: Rebecca Tidey