Reforming Victoria’s Fire Services
In 2017 the Victorian Government released the Fire Services Statement, which:
- mapped out a vision for a modern fire service
- provided a guide on how it could be achieved.
View the full Fire Services Statement.
Reforming Victoria’s fire services became law with the introduction of the Firefighters’ Presumptive Rights Compensation and Fire Services Legislation Amendment (Reform) Act 2019 (Reform Act) which amended (among other things) the Fire Rescue Victoria Act 1958 (FRV Act) and amended the Country Fire Authority Act 1958.
Fire Rescue Victoria
On 1 July 2020, Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) was established. FRV covers metropolitan Melbourne and major regional centres and brought together:
- all Metropolitan Fire Brigade firefighters
- career CFA firefighters
FRV currently works out of 85 stations across Victoria, including 34 co-located stations with CFA. For more information, visit the FRV website.
Country Fire Authority
On 1 July 2020, the Country Fire Authority’s (CFA) proud history as a community based, volunteer firefighting service became law.
The CFA’s 1,220 brigades continue their tradition of serving and protecting communities throughout Victoria. Volunteer firefighters continue to be an essential part of fire and rescue services.
Visit the CFA website to learn more about the CFA, your local brigade or volunteering.
Oversight of performance
Fire Services Reform Implementation Plans
The government, CFA and FRV developed implementation plans to outline the key actions needed to deliver Fire Services Reform, while ensuring the CFA and FRV continue to deliver fire and rescue services to the Victorian community.
You can view the:
- Full year one Implementation Plan.
- Updated full year two to five Implementation Plan.
Outcomes Frameworks
Outcomes Frameworks were developed by both CFA and FRV. These frameworks outline outcomes-based measures used to track how the agencies are performing.
You can view:
The Fire Services Implementation Monitor
The Implementation Monitor is an independent body, established in accordance with the Fire Rescue Victoria Act 1958. The Implementation Monitor:
- monitors and assesses ongoing efforts to improve interactions between the CFA, FRV and other agencies
- publishes quarterly reports on performance against Outcomes Frameworks
- prepares an annual report each financial year on the progress of actions in the Implementation Plan.
View the Fire Services Implementation Monitor’s reports.
Related entities
Fire District Review Panel
View information about the Fire District Review Panel.
Firefighters Registration Board
The Firefighters Registration Board is an independent entity, established in accordance with the Fire Rescue Victoria Act 1958.
The Board administers the Firefighters Registration Scheme, which formally commenced on 4 December 2024.
View information about the Firefighters Registration Board and the Firefighters Registration Scheme.
Strategic Advisory Committee
The Strategic Advisory Committee provides expert advice to the Fire Rescue Commissioner on a range of important issues, including:
- cultural change
- workforce diversity and flexibility
- the future direction of FRV, including emerging opportunities and risks
- organisational governance
- FRV’s engagement and integration with the broader emergency management sector.
View information on the Strategic Advisory Committee on the Fire Rescue Victoria website.
Presumptive Rights Compensation Scheme
The Presumptive Rights Compensation Scheme (Scheme) provides presumptive rights to compensation for career and volunteer firefighters diagnosed with certain cancers.
The Scheme is administered by WorkSafe Victoria. It recognises the invaluable service of firefighters, who are often required to work in dangerous conditions.
Detailed information on the Presumptive Rights Compensation Scheme, including forms and application processes, is available on the WorkSafe Victoria website.
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