WHEN we think of the Country Fire Authority, we picture dedicated men and women battling bushfires in scorching heat and dangerous conditions and while this is at the very heart of the CFA’s role, the reality is that their contribution to our communities goes far beyond the frontlines of fire emergencies.
The selflessness of CFA members is perhaps best seen in the countless hours they devote to supporting community causes and fundraising efforts. Just this past month, local brigades joined the 12th annual Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb at Crown Metropol. This gruelling challenge saw more than 130 teams climb 28 floors, weighed down by 25 kilograms of turnout gear and breathing apparatus, a symbolic reminder of the physical and mental burdens first responders face every day.
It wasn’t just about the climb, but the cause. The event aimed to raise $1 million for Lifeline, the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation, and the 000 Foundation. Local CFA brigades rose to the challenge, both physically and financially raising an impressive $47,000. Together, they embodied the CFA spirit, ordinary people doing extraordinary things for the greater good.
For many in our communities, the sight of CFA trucks also stirs deep and emotional memories of Black Saturday in 2009. On that devastating day, volunteers stood shoulder to shoulder with residents as firestorms tore through towns and landscapes. Their courage and sacrifice in the face of unimaginable danger remains etched into local memory, a stark reminder of the price paid by both firefighters and the communities they protect. That legacy continues to inspire the respect and gratitude Victorians feel for the CFA today.
But this is not an isolated effort. Year after year, CFA volunteers also throw their weight behind other causes, including the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal. With collection tins on street corners, barbecues, raffles, and countless community events, they help raise millions to support sick children and their families. In doing so, they remind us that their service is not confined to emergencies, but woven into the very fabric of community life.
These acts of service highlight something profound: CFA members are more than emergency responders. They are neighbours, mentors, and role models whose commitment to others is constant, whether in times of crisis or times of need. They run toward danger when fires break out, but they also show up when charities need volunteers, when communities need rebuilding, and when someone simply needs a hand.
In an era where volunteerism is too often taken for granted, the CFA sets an example of what it means to put community first. Their contribution deserves more than applause; it deserves ongoing support, recognition, and gratitude.
Because long after the smoke clears, CFA volunteers are still there, climbing stairs, rattling tins, raising funds, and lifting up the communities they proudly serve.
But then, that’s just my opinion
