CFA is seeking to grow opportunities for volunteer brigades to benefit from participation in the Fire Equipment Maintenance (FEM) service following the Board endorsement of a future direction for the program.
The new FEM business operating model and investment in technology is designed to meet the future needs of brigades and customers through modernisation of operations and reducing the administrative workload burden on volunteers.
CFA Acting CEO Catherine Greaves said the new model and investment provides an opportunity for the FEM arm of CFA to expand services, grow its customer base and increase the number of brigades and volunteers participating.
“CFA’s much valued FEM service has been a part of brigade activity for decades, supplying and servicing fire protection equipment for CFA customers; and this new model provides clarity that our brigades can continue confidently into the future to provide fire safety services that reduce risk and add to the safety of our communities,” Catherine said.
At present 262 brigades participate in FEM, which includes fire extinguishers, blankets and hose reels, servicing more than 24,000 customers throughout Victoria. This includes small businesses, local councils, state government agencies, water authorities, schools, aged care and other healthcare facilities.
CFA will continue to deliver these services throughout Victoria, including within the new FRV districts. Importantly, the work of skilled and accredited volunteers (1230 holding current competencies) ensures that CFA retains technical ability in first attack equipment maintenance and operation.
In addition, the reward for the effort of FEM volunteers is returned as revenue back to their brigade, where the brigade invests this money back into their community through enhancing response capability. Funds raised through FEM have helped brigades to buy firefighting equipment such as branches, thermal imaging cameras (TICs), specialist tools and field command vehicles.
“We have found that our FEM customers are long term and loyal; they trust volunteers to deliver and engage, and want to support their local brigade,” Catherine said.
