The Fireman June 2001

“We have had contact from at least 400 members, representing a minimum 170 brigades across the State,” said Ron Hooper, Captain Echuca Fire Brigade, “and we’ve been staggered by the phenomenal support for the concept of a Volunteer Charter and for the themes the charter has contained.”

“But even though support for the charter was strong, we’ve still listened carefully to the comments and concerns raised by volunteers,” said Quentin Turner, Executive Member VUFBA and member at Creswick Urban Fire Brigade. All of the comments were logged in minutes of meetings and have been taken into consideration in the re-drafting of the charter. These minutes have been posted on both Association websites for those who would like to read about the issues raised by volunteers. (www.vicnet.net.au/~vufba/charter.html or www.vicnet.net.au/!vrfba/charter.html)

The main issues that emerged were the need for stronger wording, the need for a dispute resolution process, and a concern that the charter may be used against volunteers.  In its meeting on 15 May, the Steering Committee revised the charter in accordance with all of the feedback received through the consultation process, tightening up the wording and incorporating suggestions wherever practicable. 

“We’ve now included a dispute resolution clause,” said Neville Pulham, Fish Creek Rural Fire Brigade member, “and we took into account the need for balance between the rights of volunteers and the other partners in this agreement. We think we’ve struck the right balance.”

Volunteers don’t need to be concerned that the Charter will be a legal document that can be used against them. “We’ve been careful to use phrases like… ‘to the best of their ability’,” said Nev Jones, Captain, Moorooduc Rural Fire Brigade,  “and a legal opinion we obtained indicates that volunteers couldn’t ever be penalized for failure to comply with the charter.”

The next step is for the steering committee to enter into a dialogue with CFA about the charter before the steering committee members take it to the Government. “It would have been nice to go back to the volunteers to show them our progress,” said Ian Bennett, Gembrook Rural Fire Brigade, “but we felt that would hinder the process. We’ve already listened carefully and incorporated feedback. Now it’s a matter for negotiating the charter with CFA and the Government.” 

It is expected that the Steering Committee will continue discussion with CFA. “If there are radical changes,” said Allan Small, The Basin Fire Brigade, “then we’ll need to discuss the changes more widely with volunteers. But if the changes are still within what our feedback process has told us, then we’ll be recommending to our Associations that they endorse the charter.”

It is expected that when discussions with CFA and the Government have concluded, the charter will be posted on the Association websites. “This is expected in July or August,” said Bob Smith, Captain, Ocean Grove Fire Brigade.  “If all things go well, the steering committee expects to have all parties agree to the charter and have a special signing ceremony in October this year to coincide with emergency services month for the International Year of Volunteers, 2001.”

Background History:

• CFA endorsed the Volunteer Charter project on 4 December 2000. 
• The Volunteer Charter Steering Committee finalised an initial draft Volunteer Charter on 30 January 2001. 
• The charter was distributed to all brigade secretaries and brigade captains on 12 February 2001. Feedback was invited and the consultation period was extended to 23 April. 
• The charter has been discussed at brigade and group meetings.
• Eleven consultation meetings, including 2 telephone conferences were held between 11 March and 12 April. 
• Specific contact has been made with over 170 brigades through direct meetings and written feedback.
• All comments and feedback have been logged and considered in the finalisation of the draft charter.
• At the meetings, there was overwhelming support for the concept of a volunteer charter and for the themes the charter contained.

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