Volunteer with CFA

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Your community, your CFA

CFA brigade volunteers

CFA is a volunteer-based organisation that works to protect the lives and properties of millions of Victorians. We have 54,000 members working in over 1,200 brigades across Victoria, ranging from small rural towns to outer metropolitan suburbs. Callouts at brigades can vary between one and 1,000 each year.

Our volunteers undertake a range of tasks such as fighting fires, road rescues, emergency medical response, fundraising, marketing and community education and engagement. We work together to connect with and help others in the communities in which we live and work.

Check out the information below about the different volunteer role types. When you’re ready, read and complete the checklist to proceed to the Expression of Interest.

We look forward to welcoming you into our CFA community!

Volunteering Options

Firefighters (Operational Volunteers)

Female volunteer in a truck

Firefighters (operational volunteers) respond to fire, road accidents and other incidents where risks are posed to life and/or property. Operational roles may also involve management of vegetation, fire equipment or assisting other emergency agencies.

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

Many operational volunteers also undertake non-operational roles. More information on these roles can be found under 'Support Volunteers'.

Support Volunteers (Non-Operational)

Volunteer talking in a school classroom

Support (non-operational) roles do not fight fires directly yet provide vital support to brigades.

Non-operational roles may vary between brigades but commonly include:

Relationships, engagement and education across local communities
Coordination of fundraising, campaigns, events and activities
Media, promotion and publicity
Administration, logistical and financial support
Brigade training and equipment maintenance
Brigade health and safety management
Community education and preparedness
Coordination of brigade meetings and representation of brigade in group meetings Junior leaders

Non-operational volunteers also attend brigade meetings and other brigade events.

Junior Volunteers

Junior volunteers

CFA's Junior Volunteer Development Program (JVDP) provides safe, enjoyable and fun activities for young people aged 11 to 15 years to help them become good fire safe citizens, develop and grow.

Activities can include:

Practical firefighting drills
Map reading and radio use
First aid training
Fundraising
Fire and hazard awareness
Community service
Teamwork and leadership skills
Brigade competitions and CFA Championships

All activities are supervised by a minimum of two Junior Leaders (adult volunteer brigade members) who hold a Working with Children Check.

You can find out more information on the JVDP.

Application Process

View the application process

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Only applicants within designated CFA areas are able to submit an expression of interest application.

Expression of Interest

Provide basic details about yourself, your availability and your volunteering role preference. If the Brigade is not currently recruiting, your application will be added to a wait-list.

Brigade Review

Your indicated brigade will contact your directly to discuss your application and assess your suitability for membership.

Working with Children Check

You will be required to obtain a Working with Children Check.

Police Check

You will be required to undertake a National Police History Record Check.

Membership

On successful submission of registration details and associated checks, CFA will make a final membership determination.

"I enjoy working in a team environment, learning from other people’s experiences and then actually being able to use what I’ve learnt on the scene."

Lei Xu
Keysborough Fire Brigade
Firefighter

Expression of Interest

Important information

If you live or work in a CFA response area you can apply to join. If you are unsure, you will be able to search for your address when you proceed to the Expression of Interest.
Your application may be placed on a waiting list if the brigade is currently not recruiting or only recruiting for certain roles.
A brigade representative will contact you to discuss your application in greater detail before joining. Depending on the time of year, this may take up to a few weeks.
As part of the application process, you will be required to undertake police and medical checks.
If you are under 18 years old, you will be required to provide contact details for your parent/guardian/carer. CFA will make contact with your parent/guardian/carer regarding this expression of interest.

*Please read through the important information above and tick the checkbox below to access the form.