What have you told us?
By Adam Barnett, VFBV Chief Executive Officer
In this month’s edition of Fire Wise, you will find the VFBV Quarterly Supplement. In addition to the popular 2- Minute-Briefings that update you on the issues being pursued through our CFA/VFBV Joint Committee structures, you will also find the most recent results from the annual VFBV Vol Survey.
Spread over four pages, we have outlined the summary results of what is now our 13th annual survey that was conducted between November 2024 and April 2025. The survey elicited 2,115 responses cementing its place as the largest volunteer emergency service survey of its kind across Australia.
Unsurprising, and reflecting the low morale that has been obvious for some time now, the results confirm that there has been a drop in volunteer satisfaction across six of the seven survey themes and categories. This is particularly concerning given the survey closed before the backlash and rolling community anger over the government’s, the Greens, Cannabis and Animal Justice parties antics in Parliament passing their controversial new emergency services tax that occurred in May.
And while the overall VolWEL for the year increased to 2.2 this year, the overall results mask the significant drop in volunteer satisfaction experienced across individual themes and questions.
Sadly, training continues to be the theme that records the highest levels of volunteer dissatisfaction, increasing to a dissatisfaction score of 3.4– with any score over 3.0 placing it in the highest category of dissatisfaction and requiring urgent priority action.
Breaking down the training theme, the question recording the highest levels of dissatisfaction was “CFA provides enough training opportunities in formats, at times and at locations that make it easy for me to participate.” This question has recorded a dissatisfaction score of 3.8 which is the single worst result for this question in the whole 13 years of the survey.
The next worse result in this theme was for the question “Most training is available and provided within a reasonable distance from my brigade” which recorded a dissatisfaction score of 3.4.
In order to help us drill into the finer details of what was driving dissatisfaction across the training theme, this year we asked respondents to tell us what factors most influenced their scoring. While analysis of the qualitative feedback is still underway, it is clear that issues relating to the local delivery and scheduling of training are the most frequent friction points for volunteers. Feedback indicted strong dissatisfaction with when courses were scheduled, where they were scheduled, the length of notice provided, lack of notice of cancellation and the moving of courses, with a strong view that there is simply an insufficient quantity of courses at times people wanted to meet demand.
Strong feedback also indicated the impacts of the lack of First Aid training that was caused by the poor transition to a new first aid provider, with CFA procurement arrangements unable to be completed prior to the prior contract expiring – leaving many in limbo. Unsurprising, issues using the CFA LMS (Learning Management System) continue to frustrate members.
On a somewhat positive note, one of the few improvements in volunteer satisfaction was on the question “CFA’s training expectations of me are fair and reasonable for the roles that I perform” which recorded a satisfaction score of 1.7 which was a significant improvement on the 2.0 dissatisfaction it scored the year before. This provides confirmation that volunteers are not just being negative and demonstrates that they want to undertake the training and feel it is reasonable – they simply cannot access it where and where they need it.
This positive result also likely reflects the positive reaction volunteers have had on CFA’s acknowledgment to VFBV feedback on the unachievable requirements originally proposed in draft doctrine that was released last year in relation to driver training and the finance policies – both of which were significantly improved after CFA’s consideration of the feedback received during consultation.
I highlight this point for two reasons. Firstly, it demonstrates to CFA that when it listens and constructively responds to feedback during consultation, and where volunteers can see significant changes based on the feedback given – the membership reacts very positively. Secondly, to those of you who often feel your feedback is pointless and makes no difference – this is a good example that you can make an incredible difference if you participate and contribute to the feedback opportunities provided – so thank-you and well done.
The next theme recording the highest levels of dissatisfaction was the “Cooperation across CFA” theme which recorded an overall dissatisfaction score of 3.0.
The worst result in this theme, and in fact the worst result across all standard theme questions, was “Volunteers are effectively consulted and involved in decision making at CFA Corporate (headquarters) level”. This question recorded a dissatisfaction score of 3.7 which is the highest since 2020 where it was a 4.1.
Again, a study of the qualitative comments is illuminating.
While it appears many may appreciate the increased opportunities to provide feedback, we continue to observe high levels of change fatigue, with members expressing strong reactions to what many perceive as constant fiddling and tweaking of policies and procedures that people are finding exhausting. We also observe a sharp criticism that while draft documents are often provided for feedback – there is little evidence of actual changes being made following consultation. While there have been positive reactions to the changes made to the finance and driving policies for example, many observe these seem to be the exception rather than the rule.
Further volunteer engagement also continues to highlight a perception that rather than sharing a problem with volunteers and working with them to find options and solutions – it is often the case that a single solution worked up by a work unit gets floated as the only option and volunteers are left with a take it or leave it ultimatum.
This is a missed opportunity, where genuine and robust consultation done in partnership with volunteers can lead to a shared understanding that ultimately leads to successful change.
Which leads us to the 2024/25 special questions. These are questions that change each year and are selected based on topical issues that have arisen during the year. Unlike the other set questions which are repeated each year so we can track trends and baselines, these questions are one offs and provide an opportunity for you to provide instant feedback on topical subjects.
Our first question tested volunteers comfort levels with how they currently perceive CFA’s volunteer compensation arrangements. We asked you whether you had confidence that if you get sick or injured performing CFA duties, whether you thought that CFA’s volunteer compensation arrangements will look after you.
Justifying VFBV’s strong advocacy in this area, the VolWEL for this question was 2.7 indicating a significant high level of concern among volunteers indicating many are not confident that these arrangements are sufficient.
You will find an update in this month’s 2-Minute briefing from the People, Culture & Safety Joint Committee where we report on positive progress made on our call for an independent review of volunteer compensation arrangements. We will keep pursuing these changes, and keep you updated on progress.
The next topical question was “The changes that CFA is making to its policies and procedures are making it easier for me to volunteer”. This scored a dissatisfaction score of 3.5 reaffirming our view that volunteers are feeling overwhelmed by the additional red tape and bureaucracy that is often sold as “improving arrangements” but more often than not require volunteers to do more and more for no discernible improvement.
Which leads me to the question that broke the survey. This year, we asked “The Victorian State Government provides sufficient funding to support the adequate replacement of CFA trucks and stations.”
I say this broke the survey, because this question recorded an unprecedented level of dissatisfaction that we have never experienced before in any question over the entire 13 years of the survey. Volunteer dissatisfaction was recorded at an astounding 5.2
We have never witnessed a score higher than 4.1, which was first recorded in 2012 in relation to volunteer consultation (or lack thereof) at HQ level. So, to see a score break the 5 level is unprecedented. We do not even have a category on our severity spectrum to articulate the seriousness of this level of volunteer concern.
This result validates VFBV’s pursuit of increased fleet funding, and highlighting the issues of CFA’s decreasing base budgets, and the inadequate funding to support CFA’s ageing truck fleet.
We will have a lot more to say about this over the coming months and will update you on plans in place to continue highlighting this issue as we move into this year’s fire danger period and next year’s budget cycle.
So, what were the standout positives from this year’s results? You told us that new volunteers are being better supported to turn out to incidents within a reasonable time of joining. You also told us that you feel effectively consulted by your local brigade leaders on changes made at the brigade level.
Each year I also like to highlight the gender difference in satisfaction on the question “There are no barriers to the roles women can occupy in my brigade”. And while this continues to record a relatively strong level of satisfaction – there is a difference between how men and women score this question and the differing perceptions. Looking at the results for men, this question scores a 0.46 dissatisfaction that indicates this question is meeting expectations. However, when we look at responses from women, the dissatisfaction rises to 1.57 which puts it in the mid-range gap and meaning it requires improvement. Pleasingly, there is little variation in how men and women score the importance of ensuring there are no barriers to the roles women can occupy. Both sexes score this exceedingly high in importance with men scoring it 9.22 in importance, and women scoring it 9.48 demonstrating while both rate this question as one of the most important factors across the entire survey – it is clear each gender sees how we are tracking in this area very differently.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every single one of the 2,115 volunteers who participated in the 2024/25 survey and invite you to all study the results closely. They are extremely powerful, and allow us to highlight to CFA and government the areas you tell us require the most support.
If you are reading these results and thinking they don’t reflect your experiences – you will very shortly have the opportunity to let us know. This year’s 2025/26 survey will launch later this month.
Please help us help you, and if you haven’t participated before – consider doing so. Your answers are confidential, and all information is deidentified to protect your privacy. We will never give up advocating strongly on the issues you tell us are most important to you, and the annual survey is the single most effective way of improving how CFA operates, so please consider getting involved.
CFA Donations Trust
Thank you to all volunteers who applied to be a VFBV trustee to the CFA and Brigades Donations Trust.
The Fund was established in 2004 to ensure brigades continued to have deductible gift recipient status following the introduction of the GST and changes made to the charities law that required the associations to advocate for the retention of individual brigade charity status.
Following nominations, the VFBV Board has appointed the following five Trustees to the fund for a term of two years: Jan Cleary; Andrew Howlett AFSM; Graeme Jilbert; Eric Smith and Howard Smith.
Committee updates
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.
New record
Thank you to all brigades and groups that affiliated for the 2024/25 year. This year we recorded our highest levels of affiliation in our history, setting a new Association record.
This strong show of support helps us strongly advocate to CFA and government and ensure that volunteer views are front and centre.
Our Welfare Fund has also recorded it strongest year on record, with 1,106 brigades choosing to support and protect their members from unexpected financial hardship or disaster.
2025/26 Affiliations
Thank you to all affiliated brigades and groups that have reaffiliated and helped us stand up for volunteers.
Affiliation sends a strong message that volunteers are united and will work together to achieve positive outcomes that benefit not only brigades, but the broader community in which we all protect. It also provides access to the VFBV Welfare Fund, which, since its inception, has distributed more than $2.85 million in grants to volunteers who have fallen on hard times.
Over the past 12 months, VFBV has had to strongly advocate on presumptive cancer legislation, the Fiskville redress scheme, volunteers injured performing CFA duties and requiring fair compensation, the government’s new emergency services tax and volunteer rebate, improvements to the GFF program and other training initiatives, improvements to the CFA Regulations, CFA/ FRV secondment arrangements, ageing CFA truck fleet and the inadequacy of the CFA budget and base funding to just name a few.
All brigades and groups who paid their 2025/26 VFBV affiliation invoice prior to 31 July were entered into prize draw. The winners and their selected prizes are:
1st drawn: Lyons Fire Brigade – G Force Nozzle with Quick connect coupling; Gated Wye with Storz Inlet and quick connect outlet nozzle.
2nd drawn: Beulah Fire Brigade – TFT Break Apart Nozzle
3rd drawn: Lismore Group – 5 Pelican 3415 right angle torches
4th drawn: Kerang Fire Brigade – root soaker and bag.
VFBV thanks GAAM Emergency Products for providing the prizes for the prize draw again in 2025.
Rebate Scheme
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.
CFA volunteers intending on claiming the volunteer rebate will be required to first log-in to their CFA online account, to complete the CFA eligibility test.
To check the rules and eligibility requirements, visit: https://www.vic.gov.au/evrs
If you are eligible and own an eligible property, head to https://www.members.cfa.vic.gov.au/ to start the process.
Drought relief
As drought continues to set in across large parts of Victoria, VFBV recognises that it is having a significant impact on many CFA Volunteers, their families and communities.
There are numerous supports available to farmers, businesses, individuals and communities, but navigating these can be a time consuming and sometimes frustrating exercise with information hard to find and spread across multiple sources.
Similar to previous Fact Sheets VFBV has prepared for fire and storms, VFBV has developed a Fact Sheet to assist members navigate the various Drought Relief packages currently available.
The Fact Sheet is available for download from the VFBV website or printed copies may also be requested from the VFBV office via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (03) 9886 1141.
ESF Mental Health Showcase 2025
The Emergency Services Foundation’s (ESF) annual Mental Health Showcase will be held on Thursday 16 October 2025 at Life Saving Victoria in Port Melbourne.
The 2025 showcase program will feature powerful topics on post-traumatic growth, empathetic distress fatigue, family wellbeing, the far-reaching impact of suicide and psychedelics as a new frontier in treatment.
For more information and to secure your ticket visit the ESF website.
Lead Loddon Murray Program Opportunities
Expressions of Interest are now open for the 2026 Lead Loddon Murray Program (also known as the Loddon Murray Community Leadership Program LMCLP). The program delivers a year of community leadership development between March and November with face-to-face program days, residential retreats and online program sessions featuring a diverse range of subject matter experts, guest speakers, previous program graduates and government representatives.
The 2026 LMCLP is open to residents who live in the following municipalities: Buloke, Campaspe, Central Goldfields, Gannawarra, Greater Bendigo, Loddon, Macedon Ranges, Mount Alexander, Northern Grampians and Swan Hill. CFA sponsors a number of places on the LMCLP each year for CFA members interested in participating through the Volunteer Leadership Development Program.
Expression of interest in the 2026 program can be completed online here. If CFA members would like more information about the program please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Recent articles on the VFBV website
Emergency Services Tax Forecast Funding
Certificate IV in Leadership and Management EOI
Presumptive Legislation Update
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