YARRA Valley fire-fighting volunteers will share in a $2 million welfare fund supporting CFA volunteers across Victoria, which will be established following a grant from this year’s State Government budget.
Emergency Services Minister Bob Cameron said that funding previously covered urban brigade volunteers, but this funding would ensure rural firefighters would be covered.
“The CFA’s 600,000 volunteers often respond to calls for help from others, now this funding will mean they can seek assistance should they need help themselves,” Mr Cameron said.
Mr Cameron said the fund would be run by Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV), who will use the grant to establish a self-sustaining program of assistance for CFA volunteers and their families in times of financial hardship.
“In my experience CFA firefighters get on with the job and don’t ask for much but this fund will mean brigades can offer assistance when they fall on hard times,” Mr Cameron said.
“Emergency services volunteers are part of the social fabric of communities across the State.”
– Melissa Meehan
