The Association, formed in 1885 as the Country Fire Brigades Association and changing in 1945 to the Victorian Urban Fire Brigades’ Association, has represented Victoria’s urban fire brigades and their firefighters for over a century.
In 1945 when the Government of the day legislated to form the Country Fire Authority, it recognised the need for some independent representation for the volunteer firefighters and included in Section 100 of the C.F.A. Act, a requirement for two volunteer Associations (the V.U.F.B.A. and the V.R.F.B.A.) to provide such representations on behalf of urban and rural volunteers respectively.
To ensure Statewide representation on the Association and to allow brigade issues to be discussed locally before being forwarded to the Association, Regional Councils have been formed. Initially the Regional Councils represented those brigades within the relevant C.F.A. Region, however, with changes to C.F.A. Regions, some Regional Councils may now represent part of the brigades within the Regions with other Regional Councils representing the remainder. The Association is addressing these anomalies.
Each Regional Council has a delegate or delegates (where Regional Councils have been amalgamated) on the Governing Body of the Association. The delegates are know as Executive Members.
Each Regional Council has its own Constitution and conducts its own business. Items of business from the Regional Councils are forwarded to the Association for consideration. Details of Regional Councils are included later in this document.
The Association meets at least four times each year. A fortnight prior to the meeting of the Association, committees meet to discuss items received from Regional Councils etc. and make recommendations on each item for consideration by the delegates at the Association meeting.
The Annual General Meeting of the Association is held in September each year. The Annual Report is submitted to this meeting and the annual election of office bearers takes place.
As well as Association Committees, the Association is also represented on Joint C.F.A. Committees. Both volunteer Associations and the C.F.A. are represented on these joint committees which make recommendations to the C.F.A. on a range of issues. Both Associations are also represented on Working Parties and Project Teams formed for specific tasks.
| Association | Joint Association/CFA | Working Parties etc. |
| Welfare | Equipment Review | Volunteer Support |
| Finance | Training | Volunteer Compensation |
| Competition and Rules | Communications | Equal Employment Opportunity |
| Policy and Service Review | Fire Prevention | Occupational Health and Safety |
| Research and Development | Brigade Role and Membership | |
| Fire Equipment Maintenance | Critical Incident Stress | |
| Championships | Skilled Vehicle Manufacturing | |
| Mapping Association | Class A Foam | |
| Group Officers Seminar | ||
| Junior Brigades | ||
| Skills Recognition | ||
| (Other short duration Working Parties formed for specific tasks) |
The Association operates its own Welfare Fund which has been created to provide financial support, up to a maximum of $5,000-00, to urban volunteer firefighters or their families where cases of financial hardship occur. Applications are submitted by brigades and receive consideration by a Committee of Management. All applications are treated in the strictest confidence.
Representation on C.F.A. Board
In accordance with the requirements of the C.F.A. Act, the Association provides representation on the Board of the C.F.A.. Two urban representatives (as well as two rural representatives) are nominated by the respective Associations to represent the interests of the volunteer firefighters.
Currently the Association is represented on the C.F.A. Board by Ex Captain Michael Tudball (Bacchus Marsh) and Captain Peter Marke (Upwey).
Volunteer Charter
