Spirit of CFA Awards

The Spirit of CFA Awards recognise outstanding achievements and significant contributions made by CFA staff and volunteers to CFA, local communities and the state of Victoria.

The Spirit of CFA Awards, which are proudly supported by the Victorian Government Valuing Volunteers Program, have the potential to positively impact members, and improve CFA’s standing in the community as an organisation of choice for volunteering and employment. Recognising achievements is an important element of a healthy workforce.

Local communities, organisations, government agencies, brigades, districts and regions were asked to nominate a CFA individual or team for an Award.

To be eligible for the awards, the nominees must be a CFA Member and demonstrate:

• CFA Values -
  • We put safety first
  • We excel through teamwork
  • We are dynamic and adaptable
  • We act with integrity
  • We respect each other
• an outstanding achievement and/or significant contribution to CFA and the community from 1 January 2017 – 1 March 2020.

Due to ongoing extensive operational activity, the nomination period has been extended to midnight Sunday 1 March to allow for those currently engaged in these fires more time to complete their submissions.

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For enquiries, please email spiritofcfaawards@cfa.vic.gov.au

Category description

Youth Award

The Youth Award acknowledges CFA members between the age of 11 and 25 who inspire others through their commitment to their brigade and community and consistently demonstrate collaboration, initiative, and leadership.

This award is open to all individuals between the age of 11 and 25 at the time of nomination.

Criteria:

• Provide an overview of the achievement / contribution/ outcome delivered by the nominee/s.
• Tell us how the nominee inspired others
• Explain how the nominee showed commitment to their brigade and local community
• Tell us how the nominee demonstrated teamwork, initiative and leadership

Seniors Award

The Seniors Award pays tribute to CFA members over the age of 60 who inspire and mentor others through their commitment to their brigade and community and consistently demonstrate collaboration, initiative and leadership.

This award is open to all individuals over the age of 60 at the time of nomination.

Criteria:

• Provide an overview of the achievement / contribution/ outcome delivered by the nominee/s.
• Tell us how the nominee inspired others
• Explain how the nominee showed commitment to their brigade and local community
• Tell us how the nominee demonstrated teamwork and leadership and mentored others

Living the Values Award

The prestigious Living the Values Award honours CFA members who have and continue to exemplify CFA's Values. Nominees promote safety at all times; they show respect, empathy, and understanding they act with integrity, honesty, and fairness. Nominees also work collaboratively, maintaining open communication and responding and adapting to change.

This award is open to individuals of all ages, locations, and roles.

Criteria:

• Explain how the nominee pursues zero harm and promotes safety at all times
• Tell us how the nominee shows respect, empathy and understanding
• Explain how the nominee acts with integrity, honesty and fairness
• Tell us how the nominee works collaboratively and maintains open communication
• Explain how the nominee responds and adapts to change
• Provide an overview of the how the nominee lives CFA's values

Inclusion and Fairness Champion Award

The CFA's Inclusion and Fairness Champion Award consistently demonstrates honesty and fairness, they are a champion for equality, diversity and inclusion by challenging the status quo and breaking down the systemic barriers to inclusion and diversity. This CFA member encourages mental health awareness and promotes both physical and mental safety and wellbeing.

This award is open to individuals and teams of all ages, locations, and roles.

Criteria:

• Provide an overview of how the nominee/s promoted inclusion and fairness
• Describe how the nominee/s demonstrated honesty and fairness
• Provide an example of how the nominee/s championed equality, diversity and inclusion
• Tell us how the nominee/s encouraged mental health awareness and wellbeing
• Describe how the nominee/s challenged the status quo and broke down barriers

Excellence in Community Engagement Award

The Excellence in Community Engagement Award recognises CFA members who have worked collaboratively to develop and apply innovative approaches to community engagement. Their dedication to community safety and resilience has created meaningful and lasting relationships and results.

This award is open to individuals and teams of all ages, locations, and roles.

Criteria:

• Provide an overview of the achievement / contribution/ outcome delivered by the nominee/s.
• Explain how the nominee/s worked collaboratively to achieve community engagement outcomes
• Tell us how the nominee/s developed and applied innovative approaches to Community Resilience, Engagement or Education
• Explain how the nominee/s created meaningful and lasting engagement opportunities and relationships to encourage community resilience

Excellence in Interagency or Group Cooperation Award

The Excellence in Interagency or Group Cooperation Award recognises members who engage with other emergency management agencies before, during, and/or after an emergency. By building partnerships, sharing knowledge, and working in collaboration, nominees promote and practice interoperability to ensure the needs of the community are met.

This award is open to individuals and teams of all ages, locations, and roles.

Criteria:

• Provide an overview of the achievement / contribution/ outcome delivered by the nominee/s.
• Tell us how the nominee/s actively engaged with other agencies before, during or after an emergency
• Describe how the nominee/s worked in consultation to meet stakeholder needs
• Explain how the nominee/s ensured that lessons learned and knowledge were shared

Excellence in Partnership Development Award

The Excellence in Partnership Development Award recognises CFA members who engaged with other agencies and community organisations before, during, and/or after an emergency. By collaborating with key stakeholders, nominees have improved the efficiency of emergency management arrangements in their brigade and local area to meet stakeholder and community needs.

This award is open to individuals and teams of all ages, locations, and roles.

Criteria:

• Provide an overview of the achievement / contribution/ outcome delivered by the nominee/s.
• Describe how the nominee/s actively engaged with other agencies and/or the community (i.e. community groups/organisations/schools/businesses etc.) before, during or after an emergency
• Explain how the nominee/s worked in consultation to meet stakeholder needs
• Tell us how the nominee/s have improved the efficiency of Emergency Management arrangements in their brigade/local area

Excellence in Capability Planning Award

The Excellence in Capability Planning Award (previously known as Excellence in Sustainabilty Planning Award) acknowledges the contribution made by CFA members in ensuring we have the capability and resources to keep the community safe. By showing leadership in planning and preparation, and encouraging the development of our people, CFA will meet community need now and into the future.

This award is open to individuals and teams of all ages, locations, and roles.

Criteria:

• Provide an overview of the achievement / contribution /outcome delivered by the nominee/s.
• Tell us how the nominee/s showed leadership in planning to ensure CFA meets the needs of community now and into the future.
• Describe how the nominee/s ensured that our people have the resources required to deliver services to keep the community safe.
• Explain how the nominee/s ensured our training and capability development met member, organisational and community standards and/or expectations.

Excellence in Innovation Award

The Excellence in Innovation Award celebrates CFA members who lead transformational change to our services, systems, governance, and processes to improve service delivery outcomes; meeting organisational and community needs now and into the future.

This award is open to individuals and teams of all ages, locations, and roles.

Criteria:

• Provide an overview of the achievement / contribution / outcome delivered by the nominee/s.
• Describe how the nominee/s proactively enhanced services, systems and/or processes to improve service delivery
• Provide an example of how the nominee/s developed new ways to meet organisational and community needs
• Explain how the nominee/s delivered change that improved our work environment and/or service delivery outcomes

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