Update on State Budget and Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund

This is the first budget that includes the new Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) which formally comes into effect on 1 July.   

We acknowledge that many CFA members are keen to make their views known to Government about this policy, including participating in last Tuesday’s protest actions. 

CFA strongly believes - and has advocated with Government - that volunteers should not be adversely affected by the ESVF given you directly provide some of the emergency services which this policy will fund.  

The Department of Treasury and Finance has published information about the Government rules for those CFA volunteers who will be eligible to apply for a rebate. You can read more about this here.  

CFA has a landing page on Members Online where we will link to relevant information as Government releases it. 

The budget contains some explicit funding commitments for CFA including $18 million to deliver two new satellite stations at Wendouree and Hampton Park, new fire stations in Winnindoo and Hoddles Creek, and to complete fire stations at Dartmoor, Leitchville, Kinglake West, Raywood and Yarram.  

It also includes the continued funding of just over $27 million for CFA's urban pumper program, compressed air foam systems and emergency response capability uplift.   

Other details about funding to CFA in the Budget are still to be confirmed. 

Thank you for the work you do, 24/7 to help keep the community safe.