Wednesday, 16 October 2024

Questions without notice and ministers statements

Country Fire Authority

Rikkie-Lee TYRRELL (Northern Victoria) (12:00): (685) My question is to the Minister for Emergency Services. During the recent flood inquiry we heard from numerous CFA brigades about the difficulty they are having in attracting and retaining volunteers. This impacts the CFA’s ability to respond in a time of crisis. Can the minister detail what work the government is doing to help attract and retain new volunteers to join the CFA, especially brigades that are currently experiencing low membership?

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:00): I thank Mrs Tyrrell for her question. It is a really important issue, and I thank you for your ongoing support of the CFA. I know you are deeply engaged in Northern Victoria and have a lot to do with the brigades that turn out day in, day out to protect country Victorians in our shared electorate. In good news, Mrs Tyrrell, in relation to volunteer numbers, we are seeing an increase across the CFA. The sector has consistently maintained a dedicated pool of over 50,000 hardworking and committed volunteers. That number is currently just shy of 52,000. Importantly, there have been more than 2500 operational volunteers that have joined the CFA since January this year.

What you see quite regularly off the back of periods where you experience emergencies is that it re-engages the community, it turns their minds to the importance of those that turn out to protect them. Often when I am speaking to new volunteers I ask what motivated them, and it is because they have seen others responding to emergencies and feel a sense of obligation to their community as well. So that is just one way of attracting volunteers.

The other way is – you recently would have seen at country shows around the area and indeed at the Melbourne Show that they are always on display, having the volunteers there talking to the community, talking to the public about coming and having a try at the station – ‘Come and hear what it’s about.’ Not every volunteer needs to get on a truck. Whether it is the CFA or the SES, there are many roles for volunteers to play, so it is getting that message out that if you might be hesitant about putting on a suit and getting on a truck, that is not the only way that you can be part of a really fantastic organisation. They are really important messages as well to get more and more people through the door.

I have got to say the other way to attract new volunteers is investment – investment in new trucks, investment in infrastructure. One of the things I like to promote when I get to visit a brigade or a unit that is receiving a new piece of appliance is thanking the media for attending, because I am not actually there for a picture opportunity for myself but for the opportunity to get it out into the broader community about new investment, the opportunity to thank the volunteers and importantly remind people that there is an opportunity, if you have got spare time, to come down and have a look at your new station or check out a new truck.

There are also obviously media buys and campaigns in relation to fire awareness, which we hope also have the added benefit of promoting the need for more people to get involved in this important way to protect their community or support their community through the emergency services. You know, it is always competing with people that are attracted to footy clubs and netball clubs and the like, but joining your local CFA is something that I would always promote. There is a lot of crossover of volunteers in country areas. There are some brigades that are having trouble attracting and retaining volunteers, and that is something that I am working with the CFA on constantly. But in good news, as I said, there are waiting lists in some areas.

Rikkie-Lee TYRRELL (Northern Victoria) (12:03): I thank the minister for her reply. Last week I met with the captain of the Emerald CFA, who detailed the recent success of the brigade in recruiting and retaining new volunteers. Will the minister consider implementing a mentoring program between different CFA brigades so that those with high memberships can help brigades suffering membership shortages to recruit and retain new volunteers?

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:04): I thank Mrs Tyrrell for her suggestion. It is something I would be more than happy to speak to the CFA about. They have a lot of engagement and networking opportunities, but I will ask what they would say in relation to your idea and come back to you.