Regulations Review consultation to begin soon
CFA has seen many changes since its inception and the way we work continues to evolve. To help us do this, it is important we update the Country Fire Authority Regulations 2014.
All Victorian regulations expire every 10 years and CFA’s are due to sunset on 1 August 2025. This follows an extension to ensure implementation of the new regulations did not occur during the Fire Danger Period.
A process to review these has been underway since early 2023 and has involved seeking feedback from CFA members and stakeholders across Victoria, including holding over 80 consultation sessions attended by more than 780 people. There was also a Members Online page with a Frequently Asked Questions and information on the review.
A common theme in this feedback has been the importance of streamlining and modernising CFA’s regulations to remove duplication and red tape so that the time and contribution of our volunteers in protecting their communities is better recognised and respected.
CFA has used this feedback to help the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) identify ways the current regulations can be improved with a focus on:
- Administrative matters such as Authority proceedings, registration of CFA brigades and groups, brigade model rules and elections, and financial management of brigades.
- Membership of brigades including conduct and membership requirements and duties.
- Employee and volunteer discipline and appeals including disciplinary breaches, investigations, hearing of disciplinary matters and suspension provisions.
- Volunteer compensation for officers and members of brigades and industry brigades.
- Fees and charges for CFA services and false alarms.
- Fire prevention measures including fire permits, conditions or restrictions on engaging in high fire risk activities, fire suppression equipment.
- Compliance requirements for fire alarm monitoring.
A more formal public consultation process led by DJCS about the new set of regulations is expected to commence in the next few weeks. This will involve DJCS publishing the draft regulations along with a Regulatory Impact Statement that sets out how the new regulations affect businesses, communities and individuals.
When the draft regulations are released, the public, CFA members and important stakeholders such as Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria, will be able to provide feedback on the proposals.
For more information or to register for updates visit here