2024-25 Quarter 3 Fire Services Outcomes Framework Progress Report

The Fire Services Outcomes Framework Progress Report is prepared and published in accordance with the Fire Services Implementation Monitor’s (FSIM) functions under section 141 of the Fire Rescue Victoria Act 1958 (Vic). It includes results and commentary from the FSIM on select results from the Country Fire Authority’s (CFA) and Fire Rescue Victoria’s (FRV) respective outcomes frameworks for the third quarter of the 2024-25 financial year.

FSIM publishes these quarterly reports at Fire Services Implementation Monitor publications.

In this quarter, the CFA reported on 24 indicators (see Appendix A) and FRV reported on 25 measures (see Appendix B).

CFA indicators and FRV measures short-listed for reporting

The FSIM has reported on select results based on the following criteria:

Demonstrates a notable achievement

• CFA: Increase in percentage of structure fires contained to room of origin (indicator 2.2.1).
• CFA: Road accident rescue response times meeting benchmark (indicator 2.4.1).
• FRV: Percentage of response to emergency medical response (EMR) within 9.2 minutes (target 90%) (measure 2.1.3a).

Continuing off-track trend over repeated quarters

• FRV: Percentage of response to structure fire incidents within 7.7 minutes (target 90%) (measure 2.1.3a).

Significant change from the previous quarter (positive or negative change outcome)

• CFA: A decrease in workplace injuries (volunteer operational activity) (indicator 3.1.2) – the quarter 3 (Q3) result demonstrated a significant increase against the quarter 2 (Q2) result for this indicator, which reflects a negative change outcome. Note that for this indicator, the CFA deems a lower result as desirable.
• CFA: Increase delivery of operational training to CFA volunteers (indicator 3.4.7) – the Q3 result demonstrated a significant decrease against the Q2 result for this indicator, which reflects a negative change outcome. Note that for this indicator, the CFA deems a higher result as desirable.
• FRV: Number of people engaged by Fire Equipment Services (FES) (measure 1.3.2) – the Q3 result demonstrated a significant decrease against the Q2 result for this measure, which reflects a negative change outcome.
• FRV: Total operational fleet availability (measure 2.1.3b) – the Q3 result demonstrated a decrease against the Q2 result for this measure, which reflects a negative change outcome

The FSIM’s analysis of select results from Q3 2024-25 fire services performance measures.

CFA: Increase in percentage of structure fires contained to room of origin

In this quarter, the CFA reported a notable increase in the percentage of structure fires contained to room of origin with a result of 65%. This is a 5.5% increase from the quarterly baseline and a 23% increase compared to the previous quarter’s result of 53% (Figure 1).

The FSIM considers this to be a notable achievement because this quarter’s result is also the highest recorded result for this indicator since reporting commenced in quarter 1 (Q1) 2020-21.

CFA: Road accident rescue response times meeting benchmark

The CFA first reported on this indicator in Q2 2024-25. Since reporting commenced, the CFA has exceeded its target for road accident rescue response times meeting benchmark. The CFA reported a result of 95% this quarter, which is 5% higher than its target of 90% (Figure 2).

The CFA advised that accredited Road Accident Rescue brigades attended 198 incidents this quarter, with 188 of these incidents meeting the CFA response time benchmarks (20 minutes for urban areas and 40 minutes for rural areas).

FRV: Percentage of response to EMR within 9.2 minutes (target 90%)

FRV has consistently exceeded its 90% target for responding to EMR incidents within 9.2 minutes each quarter. FRV recorded a result of 95.2% this quarter, which is 5.2% higher than its target (Figure 3).

FRV attributes its continued ability to exceed benchmarks for EMR response times to the presence of EMR-qualified firefighters on appropriately equipped FRV appliances, at station locations that are positioned in relation to the road network to enable a response over the great majority of the FRV district within the 9.2 minute benchmark.

FRV: Percentage of response to structure fire incidents within 7.7 minutes

For the eighteenth consecutive quarter, FRV did not meet its target for responding to structure fire incidents.

FRV reported a result of 86.2% this quarter, which is 3.8% below its target of 90% (Figure 4). FRV last met this target in Q1 2020-21.

CFA: A decrease in workplace injuries (volunteer operational activity)

This indicator considers the emergency lost time injury frequency rate and the CFA deems a lower result as desirable.

The CFA reported an increase in workplace injuries (volunteer operational activity) this quarter, from 61 in Q2, to 91.4 in Q3. While this is an increase of 49.8% from the Q2 result, it is also 6.4% higher than the CFA’s Q3 baseline of 85.9, reflecting the seasonal nature of this measure.

The CFA advised it experienced an increase in operational activity during this period, with 16 lost time injuries reported this quarter (Figure 5).

CFA: Increase delivery of operational training to CFA volunteers

The CFA recorded a decrease in the delivery of operational training to CFA volunteers, from 3,537 in Q2, to 2,208 in Q3. This is a decrease of 37.6% from the Q2 result (Figure 6).

The CFA advises that this result, which is lower than the level of training completed in Q2, is as expected given quarter 3 is the peak operational period within the fire season.

FRV: Number of people engaged by FES

FRV reported a decrease in the number of people engaged by FES from 1,505 in the previous quarter to 1,022 this quarter. This is a decrease of 47.3% (Figure 7).

FRV attributes the decrease to seasonal factors. It also notes that more established work around processes in the 2024-25 financial year have led to a higher overall number of engagements in Q3 compared to the same period in 2023-24. FRV advises that the cumulative number of engagements in 2024-25 also exceeds that of the previous financial year, 2023-24.

FRV: Total operational fleet availability

FRV did not meet its target for total operational fleet availability this quarter, reporting a result of 84%. This is 1% below the target of 85% and slightly lower than the results from the previous 2 quarters (Figure 8).

FRV attributes the decrease in total operational fleet availability this quarter to various seasonal factors.

Data note

FRV reports that 2024-25 data is not comparable to 2023-24 data as 2024-25 data includes both metro and regional areas, and 2023-24 data only reflects metro appliances due to CFA protected industrial action.

Definitions

Reference to fire services agencies

References to the fire services in this document relate specifically to the CFA and FRV.

Comparison between agencies’ performance against published outcomes frameworks

Comparisons between the agencies should not be made as the outcomes frameworks necessarily vary based on the CFA and FRV’s respective strategic and operational priorities and data.

CFA outcomes framework

This is the CFA’s outcomes progress report for Q3 2024-25. This progress report includes results against the CFA’s quarterly outcome indicators.

FRV outcomes framework

This is FRV’s outcomes progress report for Q3 2024-25. This progress report includes results against FRV’s quarterly outcome measures.