The Country Fire Authority Act 1958 and other Acts related to CFA can be found on the Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents website. Search under 'Victorian Statute Book'.
Background
Unlike most statutes enacted by the Victorian Parliament in recent years, the Country Fire Authority Act 1958 does not contain a section which spells out the purposes or the objectives of the Act. Rather, these must be determined by reference to particular sections of the Act, which spell out the powers, duties and responsibilities of CFA, the Chief Officer, other officers, municipal councils, etc. Of necessity, statutory interpretation and inference are important activities in working out what CFA can and must do, to fulfil its statutory charter.
Powers, Duties and Responsibilities
The following Sections of the Act appear to be the principal sources of direction as to the powers, duties and responsibilities of CFA and its personnel.
| Section |
Section Summary of Power, Duty or Responsibility |
| 14 |
Control of the prevention and suppression of fires |
| 20 |
General duty of the Authority |
| 20AA |
General powers of the Authority |
| 20A |
Attendances unconnected with fire |
| 27 |
Chief Officer to have control of all brigades |
| 28 |
Powers and duties of Chief Officer |
| 29 |
General powers and duties of Chief Officer |
| 30 and 33(2) |
Powers of officers at fires |
| 35 |
Authority to inform the Chief General Manager, Health Dept. on certain matters |
| 36 |
Authority may require municipalities to provide hydrants |
| 44 |
Duties of officers as to inspection, etc. |
| 44A |
Power of Chief Officer to close roads |
| 48 |
Power of Chief Officer to direct extinguishment |
| 97 |
Authority as a protection agency |
| 97A |
Authority may provide rescue and extrication services |
| 97B |
Authority may provide road accident and rescue service |
| 97C |
Authority may provide protection service |
| 98 |
Power to investigate fires |
| |
|
| In addition, the Act sets out a number of obligations. These are several of the more important provisions: |
| |
|
| Section |
Summary of subject matter |
|
| 37 |
General prohibition against lighting fires in the open |
| 40 |
Total fire bans |
| 41 |
Fire prevention notices |
| 41F |
Issue of notices by Chief Officer |
| 49 |
Obligations of saw millers |
Other Statutes
It should be noted that some of the duties and responsibilities placed upon the CFA and its personnel derive from other statutes, for example, the following:
- Building Act 1993
- Liquor Control Act 1987
- Caravan Parks and Mobile Dwelling Regulations 1993
- Dangerous Goods Act 1985
- Dangerous Goods (Storage and Handling) Regulations 2012
- Fire Services Commissioner Act 2010
- Emergency Management Act 1986
Volunteer Charter
The Volunteer Charter (PDF) is an agreed commitment by the State of Victoria, CFA and VFBV on behalf of CFA Volunteers to each other. It ensures the State of Victoria and CFA will commit to consultation with Volunteers about all matters which might reasonably be expected to affect Volunteers.
Page last updated: Thursday, 17 June 2021 4:33:36 PM