CFA: An increase in the number of After Action Reviews
CFA reported that 28 AAR were submitted in Q3 2025–26, against a baseline of 10. This result is a 180% increase above the baseline for Q3. This is also a substantial escalation compared to the previous 2 quarters.
A Post Season Debrief Program is coordinated each year (during Q3) where brigades, districts and regions are encouraged to undertake and submit AARs. CFA advised that this year a different approach was taken to ensure learnings were captured given the scale of the season. CFA contracted external facilitators to coordinate several AARs, and have noted this contributed to the significant increase in submissions for Q3 2025–26.
Whilst the FSIM appreciates the result for this period is affected by unique circumstances, it is still the highest number for any quarter since reporting on this measure began. Therefore, the FSIM believes CFA has demonstrated a notable achievement for the measure during this reporting period.
Figure 1: An increase in the number of After Action Reviews
CFA: Increase in percentage of structure fires contained to room of origin
CFA reported that 66.3% of structure fires were contained to room of origin in Q3 2025–26. This result was against a baseline of 60.1%. The FSIM notes that this is the sixth consecutive reporting period in which the results are above the baseline.
Figure 2: Increase in percentage of structure fires contained to room of origin
CFA: Increase in percentage of vegetation fires contained to 5 hectares
CFA reported that 97.1% of vegetation fires were contained to 5 hectares in Q3 2025–26. This result was against a baseline of 92.8%. The FSIM notes that this is the third consecutive reporting period in which the results are above the baseline. Further, the result for Q3 2025–26 is a notable achievement given the catastrophic fire weather conditions Victoria experienced this quarter.
Figure 3: Increase in percentage of vegetation fires contained to 5 hectares
CFA: Road accident rescue response times meeting benchmark (target 90%)
CFA reported that 49 incidents were attended by accredited road accident rescue brigades in Q3 2025–26. 92% of road accident rescue responses in 2025–26 (YTD) have been within CFA time benchmarks. CFA has consistently exceeded the target benchmark of 90% since this measure was included and reported via its Outcomes Framework in Q2 2024–25.
Figure 4: Road accidents response times meeting benchmark
FRV: Percentage of response times to EMR within 9.2 minutes (90%)
FRV reported a 95% response time to EMR within the target benchmark of 9.2 minutes for Q3 2025–26. FRV has consistently exceeded the target benchmark of 90% since this measure was first reported on in 2020–21.
Figure 5: Percentage of response times to EMR within the target benchmark of 9.2 minutes
FRV: Percentage of firefighters undertaking a level 2 or 3 practical skills maintenance drill annually
FRV reported that 27.6% of firefighters undertook a level 2 or 3 practical skills maintenance drill in Q3 2025–26. The Q3 result of 27.6% during this reporting period is a significant increase of 19.69% on the previous comparable quarter of 7.91%. FRV have explained the substantial increase in Q3 2025–26 was due to increased availability of instructors, with a significant number of instructors deployed regionally to deliver practical skills maintenance training.
Figure 6: Percentage of firefighters undertaking a level 2 or 3 practical skills maintenance drill annually
Updated