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Becoming a CFA volunteer: Burning questions answered

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The Country Fire Authority, CFA, is an iconic Victorian organisation, represented and recognised in communities across the state.

Becoming a CFA volunteer can be exciting as it connects people with their community and equips them with new skills that they could apply to many aspects of their life.

During National Volunteer Week, CFA is asking people to ‘Give Us a Hand’.

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CFA has compiled a list of common questions for potential volunteers. .

Who can join CFA?

CFA welcomes all members of the community over the age of 16. Some brigades also run a Junior Volunteer Development Program for 11 to 15 year olds.

What will I get out of being part of CFA?

Training in a broad range of skills, leadership opportunities, unique experiences, new friends and the opportunity to give back to your community.

What do CFA volunteers do?

CFA firefighters respond to a range of incidents including wildfire, structural fires, road accidents, rescues, hazardous material incidents, floods and other emergencies.

But there are a range of other volunteer roles that involve building local relationships, engagement and education activities, fundraising, events, brigade publicity, administration, logistical and financial support, health and safety, training, junior program leaders, and more.

Can I still volunteer if I have a full-time job or children at home?

Yes, you can. For firefighters, most training and meetings are conducted on weeknights or weekends, and you can discuss your availability with your local brigade.

The time you volunteer is often very flexible, and will depend on your role, brigade and the time of year.

How close do I have to live or work to a CFA brigade to be a member?

Generally, you need to live or work reasonably close to your local brigade.

As a firefighter, you must live or work close enough to your brigade to be able to get to the brigade and then the incident location.

Brigades have requirements for how quickly they should get to an incident. There is more flexibility for support volunteers, who can live further away but are often preferred to be local to attend meetings and events.

You can find your nearest brigade by entering your address in the Expression of Interest form on the CFA website.

How many hours a week will I have to commit to?

The time commitment will depend on your brigade and the type of role that you choose, so it’s best to talk with your brigade for more information.

CFA encourages flexibility for its volunteers, and your level of involvement will depend on your personal availability, together with brigade and community needs.

What does it cost to become a CFA volunteer?

There is no monetary cost to become a CFA volunteer. However, volunteering means you are supporting your brigade by travelling to and from the station, meetings, events, and attending incidents.

All training, equipment and protective clothing is provided by CFA as needed.

How do I balance volunteering with work or business commitments?

Many employers across Victoria take a socially responsible approach to volunteering by allowing their employees to commit time to their CFA role during business hours if required.

People thinking of becoming a CFA volunteer should discuss with their employer what sort of leave or flexible working arrangements can be put in place to allow you to balance any work and CFA duties.

Employers and self-employed volunteers are so important to CFA, for without their understanding and support, CFA would not be able to function as effectively as it does.

If I want to be a firefighter, how long will training take?

If you want to become a firefighter, essential training must be completed before you are able to respond to an incident. This is to ensure that you have the right skills and safety knowledge to be an active firefighter.

The length of time this will take will depend on your brigade training schedules and your own availability. You can discuss with your brigade.

As a CFA volunteer you’ll learn many different skills, some of which are specific to your chosen role and many of which are applicable to other parts of your life.

Are there any fitness or skill requirements to join CFA?

Operational firefighting roles can involve physically challenging activities, so an appropriate level of fitness is required to undertake these roles. However this can be discussed with your local brigade to determine your suitability for this role.

For support volunteers, there are no specific prior skill requirements, but your life experience will be valued within the brigade. Depending on the role, there may be some training expectations that can all be completed through CFA’s training programs.

I’m interested, how do I apply to volunteer?

. Once you’ve submitted your application, your local brigade will contact you regarding the next steps.

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