CFA is asking regional Victorians to “Give us a hand” in an effort to recruit new volunteers to join its 52,000 community-minded members in protecting lives and property across the state.

The call out is part of a new volunteer recruitment campaign, which aims to encourage selfless Victorians to take up a firefighting or support role with their local CFA brigade.

Whether you’re looking to make the most of your spare time, are new to your community, or just want to be part of a group made up of like-minded people, CFA brigades have flexible volunteering arrangements and diverse roles to suit anyone’s skills and needs.

There are more than 1200 CFA brigades across Victoria, responding to a range of emergency incidents and serving communities every day. From high angle rescues, structure, grass and scrub fires to hazmat and road crash rescues, no two days are the same.

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said CFA is a great place to volunteer, meet new people and learn new skills.

“Volunteers are the backbone of the firefighting and emergency response network across Victoria,” he said.

"We are calling on all community-minded individuals who are looking for a new challenge to consider joining their local brigade and apply their expertise and knowledge to CFA.

“Whether you want to jump on the truck and respond to incidents, or take up a brigade support position, we’ll find a role that suits you and your brigade.”

Brigades are most commonly looking for people from all backgrounds who have the capacity to take up roles as daytime responders and are particularly interested in hearing from young people who want to make a difference within their community.

"The rewards of being a CFA volunteer are immeasurable and our members make a real difference in their communities,” Chief Officer Heffernan said.

If you’re interested in joining or learning more, visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au/volunteer.

Once you’ve submitted your expression of interest form online, your local brigade will contact you regarding the next steps.

Becoming a CFA volunteer: Your burning questions

CFA is an iconic Victorian organisation, represented and recognised in communities across the state. Becoming a CFA volunteer can be exciting as it connects you with your community and equips you with new skills you can apply to so many aspects of your life. This National Volunteer Week, CFA is asking you to “Give us a hand”.

The CFA has compiled a list of common questions for potential volunteers. If you’re interested in finding out more visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au/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.

If you’re thinking of becoming a CFA volunteer, you should discuss with your 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 takes 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?

You can apply online by filling out an expression of interest form at www.cfa.vic.gov.au/volunteer. Once you’ve submitted your application, your local brigade will contact you regarding the next steps.