Progress on the Volunteer Charter

The Fireman April 2001

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Current Draft Volunteer Charter 20 June 2001

After nine feedback meetings, support for the Volunteer Charter is strong. There is still time for feedback and the deadline has been extended to 23 April. The draft Volunteer Charter was developed by the volunteers on the steering committee and distributed on 12 February 2001 to all brigade secretaries via regional offices. A copy was also mailed direct to every brigade Captain. “This was to ensure that every brigade was given a copy at the beginning of the two month consultation period,” said Ian Bennett, Gembrook Brigade.

Feedback meetings began on 15 March in Swan Hill and conclude on 11 April at Berwick. To date at every meeting except one, there has been unqualified support for the concept of a Volunteer Charter and endorsement of the themes. “Volunteers generally seem to be happy with the concept and the themes in the Volunteer Charter” said Nev Jones, Moorooduc Rural Fire Brigade. The Ararat meeting was attended by only six volunteers and some delegates were voting as their brigade has instructed them before they had received the benefit of the presentation and discussion. “But at other meetings, most volunteers have been happy with the charter after the issues had been discussed,: said Nev.

Through the feedback process a range of valued comment has been received. This feedback has included the following.

The need for the wording to be stronger. For example, ‘need to consult’ should be replaced with ‘must consult’.

“It’s been good to hear the viewpoints of others because this alerts us to different perspectives,” said Quentin Turner, VUFBA representative.

Concern about the legal standing of the charter. Some are concerned that that it may be used against them.

Members are referred to the recently revised “Volunteers and Legal Liability” brochure sent to all brigades in January. This reassures members about legal matters. “The Charter talks about volunteers doing things to the best of their ability”, said Bob Smith, Ocean Grove Brigade, “and this should put this issue in its correct context.”

Other views raised include the question of what happens if consultation doesn’t result in agreement. This is an issue the committee will need to consider.

These matters have been taken on board by the steering committee and will be considered in the meeting to finalise the draft on 15 May. Following this, members of the steering committee will meet with Government representatives and CFA management for a dialogue on the charter.

Written responses which can be mailed to Allan Woodward at CFA HQ or faxed to 03 9262 8268. E-mail feedback can be sent to talk2us@cfa.vic.gov.au. All contributions will be passed on to the steering committee for information and forwarded to the consultant, Adrian Walsh, who will formulate the feedback into recommendations for consideration by the steering committee.

The Charter when it is finalised will be again forwarded to each brigade for information and copies of it will be posted on the Rural and Urban Association websites.

To assist brigades who are formulating their views, the deadline for feedback has been extended to Monday 23 April. “The first cut of the Charter was a draft and we are asking for input from brigades before the final form is structured,” said Barry Barnett, Lancefield Rural Fire Brigade and committee member.

The Volunteer Charter is about mutual obligations between the Victorian Government, CFA and CFA volunteers. It contains a preamble that defines CFA volunteerism and the volunteer ethic and it contains common expectations acknowledged between the Victorian Government, CFA and CFA Volunteers. It includes a commitment to consult with volunteers on matters that will affect them.

Click here to see a copy of the draft charter Volunteer Charter(20 June 2001)

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