CFA merger a slap in the face for volunteers

However, many of the state’s 54,000 volunteer firefighters are angry and feel betrayed by the Victorian Government over the lack of consultation and a raft of broken promises.

“The process has not been as transparent as it could have been, and promises made have been broken,” Mr Amos said.

“We feel like the horse has bolted and there's not a lot we can do.”

A major point of anger is a proposal that FRV officers seconded to the CFA will wear FRV uniforms instead of CFA attire.

“These staff can be seconded for years at a time, not just months, so this will hurt volunteers. It feels like a slap in the face.

“The proposal is sitting on the (Police and Emergency Services) minister's desk so we urge the minister to side with the CFA on this.”

The 229 FRV officers seconded to the CFA will also run the CFA’s operations, despite a promise the organisation would be restored to a fully volunteer service.

“Members feel let down,” Mr Amos said.

“We do our job and train as hard as we can and love the community we live in and they feel like they aren't being treated with the respect they deserve.”

Volunteers also say the move will leave the CFA’s unpaid volunteers subject to the paid firefighters’ enterprise agreement and union interference.

“We were promised the CFA would be free of union interference,” he said.

“Now we are told the chief officer of the CFA must accept staff that the FRV wants to send. We feel surely the chief officer can choose the best person for the job to fit the role in a particular area.”

Mr Amos said fears the reforms would see volunteers leave the CFA in record numbers were justified.

“There is a possibility — but I hope that won’t be the case,” he said.

“Our volunteers are a dedicated bunch and care about what they do. They have kept their mouths shut for 12 months but now they’re airing their concerns and some are angry.

“We’re hopeful members won’t leave, and once COVID-19 restrictions are eased we want to start recruiting again as we haven’t been able to for a while.

“With the changing demographics of Echuca, there is an opportunity for people moving to town to be part of an organisation like the CFA.”

Police and Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville said between February and March there were 54 engagement workshops with more than 1330 volunteers and staff attending.

“Engagement with our volunteers has been a key focus of our fire services reforms,” she said.

“For the majority of volunteers, nothing will change under Fire Rescue Victoria — as a strengthened volunteer firefighting CFA, they’ll continue to provide a valuable service to their communities, including vital day-to-day support as well as surge capacity for campaign or other major fire events.“Our focus is on supporting volunteer firefighters who are committed to their communities — not those seeking to criticise the CFA and questioning the dedication of volunteers.”

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