The VFFA is reviewing it’s constitution and seeking comments or feedback from our members.
This post includes a link to download a copy of the VFFA Constitution rewrite 2017 (Draft3) in a PDF format.
This will allow volunteer members to view the document before the general meeting on 1 Apr 17 at Murrumbateman.
The VFFA has received numerous complaints from volunteers who are bullied, harassed and pushed aside when they dare to speak out against issues that contradict the direction of the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS). In more recent times, The NSW RFS has openly targeted RFS Brigades and individuals that have openly supported the VFFA.
The VFFA is dedicated to ensuring that ALL volunteers (not limited to VFFA members) are provided with a voice. The VFFA respects that all persons (RFSA members, all volunteers and staff) deserve an opportunity to provide input into the future direction of the NSW RFS.
The VFFA conducted a survey of volunteers over a period of 9 months (21st May 2016 to 6th March 2017) with the following results:
Click the Read More button to view the results page.
This is a great story about one man working to do everything he can to protect his investment. After having this fire suppression system installed at the 4WD centre, Vic couldn’t be happier with it.
The VFFA is concerned that in NSW volunteer rural fire-fighters who are subject to disciplinary action and who lodge grievances against paid staff have no option than to place faith in a system that is owned, controlled and arbitrated by the RFS.
Under the NSW Rural Fires Regulation 1997 a member of a rural fire brigade can be guilty of a breach of discipline if they are negligent, careless, inefficient or incompetent in the discharge of their duties. Hence the grounds for bringing discipline charges against a volunteer rural fire fighter are very broad, poorly defined and wide open to interpretation.
This post raises several concerns, the foremost being the proposal that the cost of attending an outsourced first aid course be borne by the Brigade(s).
The following questions have been posted:
Does the NSW RFS desire to have as many members as possible qualified in first aid?
Is the proposal for Brigades of the NSW RFS to meet costs for outsourced courses approved or sanctioned by the NSW RFS?
Is there a proposal for the costs of other courses such as chainsaw being covered by Brigades and/or individual members?
Was the issue discussed with volunteer training groups and if so what was the outcome?
Congratulations to the Liberal Government in Western Australia in announcing the locating of its new Rural Fire Service Headquarters to a Rural location.
It’s not too late for NSW to follow suit by relocating our RURAL Fire Service to a rural location.
Let’s put the RURAL back into the Rural Fire Service.
No one was more surprised than Greg Green when he was announced as Wollondilly’s Citizen of the Year on Australia Day.
The 61-year-old never expected to receive any sort of accolades for his lifelong work with the Bargo Volunteer Rural Fire Brigade.
This blog was posted on the Leadership Emergency Services web site on Wednesday, June 04, 2014 by Sally Steward.
Some of these might surprise you!
Graham French and Barry Mac (formerly the morning show team at South Coast Radio 2ST) are moving back to Community Radio.
The show starts on Thur, 12th Jan at 9:00am on Community Radio Triple U FM.
Don’t miss this first program with the VFFA President, Mick Holton talking about four key areas of VFFA focus:
1. Bullying and Harassment
2. Let’s put the RURAL back into the Rural Fire Service
3. Funding Arrangements
4. Common sense approaches towards firefighting and land management
The Volunteer Fire Fighters Association (VFFA) has received legal advice that volunteers should not sign the Volunteer Discipline Confidentiality Agreement form.
Whilst it is important to follow the discipline process, it is equally important that a volunteer reserves the right to protect themselves from false and frivolous complaints or allegations.