What volunteer roles can I do?

5 min read

There is a role for everyone as a CFA volunteer. Not all roles in a brigade require you to attend an emergency. There are operational roles and support roles in each brigade.

Summary

  • CFA offers operational (emergency response) and support (non-operational) volunteer roles.
  • Operational volunteers respond to fires, rescues, floods and other emergencies.
  • Firefighters must complete General Firefighter training and attend regular training and meetings.
  • Support volunteers help with community safety, fundraising, admin and brigade operations.
  • Young people aged 11–15 can join the Juniors Program and become full volunteers at 16.

Volunteer roles at CFA

Many volunteers find that operational roles (responding to emergencies like fires and rescues) are highly rewarding and give them valuable new skills.

Our volunteers in support roles make a huge contribution to getting the brigade out in the community through fundraising and safety education. They’re also crucial to help keep the brigade operating and well managed.

At some brigades, volunteers may choose to do both an operational and a support role.

Young people can also volunteer with CFA. The Juniors Program aims to introduce young people (11-15 years) to CFA by providing them with the opportunity to become good fire safe citizens while engaging them in activities that, amongst other things, build their self-esteem and self-confidence. At the age of 16, young people can become a volunteer.

Emergency response roles (operational roles)

Victorian communities and environments are different, so each brigade is different in the types of incidents and the volume of calls they may respond to.

Operational volunteers must:

  • complete General Firefighter (GFF) training before attending incidents, which can take up to six months
  • live or work close enough to be able to get to the brigade and the incident in a safe and timely manner. Some brigades allow flexible options such as seasonal or surge volunteering – check with your desired brigade directly.
  • attend regular training sessions, brigade meetings and other brigade events

Firefighters respond to incidents where risks are posed to life and/or property. This may include:

  • Responding to wildfires such as grass fires and bushfires
  • Attending structural fires such as fires in homes, buildings and sheds
  • Attending road accident rescues
  • Assisting with other emergencies including floods
  • Helping with animal rescue
  • Attending incidents with hazardous materials
  • Managing vegetation such as fuel reduction burns
  • Managing fire equipment

Meet Nicki Lund, Eildon Brigade

Nicki Lund has led Eildon Brigade as Captain for nine years. With their Fire Rescue Boat, this brigade is one of a few in Victoria that can respond to houseboat fires.

Support roles (non-operational)

You don't have to fight fires directly to provide vital support to our brigades. Our brigades have many members who are looking to contribute with the skills they have without having to attend emergencies.

All our members, both support and operational, attend brigade meetings and other brigade events as valued members of the team.

Comm safety education

Explore the many support roles available at CFA

Meet Michelle Abbott, Truganina Brigade

Michele Abbott is a support member of Truganina Fire Brigade performing roles in Community Safety, Multicultural liaison and operates in staging areas at bushfires.

Frequently asked questions about brigade roles

View all frequently asked questions about volunteering with CFA
 

Page last updated: Tuesday, 22 September 2026 1:03:35 PM