The Country Fire Authority Act 1958 is an important piece of legislation that governs how CFA operates. The Act outlines the responsibilities, powers and structure of CFA including our role in fire prevention and suppression in rural and regional areas of Victoria.

It outlines our objectives including how we work with other agencies including Fire Rescue Victoria and recognises CFA as a volunteer-based organisation.

In addition it outlines who is responsible for fire services in different areas of Victoria and the powers and duties of CFA officers in fire prevention and suppression.

The Act also includes provisions for the CFA's role in emergency management in Victoria.

CFA Act 1958

Learn more about our 80th Anniversary

 

 

The CFA/VFBV State Championships have wrapped for another year, but did you know they have been a proud tradition for CFA members since 1874 when the first State Championships were held in Melbourne?

Held each March, the Championships bring together volunteer firefighters from across Victoria to compete in various firefighting skills and drills.

The event features a variety of exciting and skilful events that highlight the expertise of volunteer firefighters including hose and hydrant drills, ladder climbing, and pump and tanker operations.

The competition started out as 'Demonstrations' with the introduction of hose reels into the fire services in the mid 1800s. This was to assist in training to get hose and other necessary equipment to the scene of a fire faster.

Brigades soon found that competing with other brigades improved their firefighting training and efficiency.

In the 1950s, the Rural State Championships were developed to reflect the unique skills of rural brigades. Preparation for the State Championships starts in October each year with these rural championship events in districts across the state.

The Championships are not just about competition and testing firefighting skills; they promote fitness, teamwork and camaraderie among our brigades, volunteers and their families.

The event includes firefighting equipment displays, training demonstrations, food stalls and even a Torchlight Procession, adding a festive touch.

With the event open to the public, the Championships also provide the opportunity for the community to learn more about CFA and show their support for our volunteers.

View more on the Firefighter State Championships

Learn more about our 80th Anniversary

 

CFA has a long-standing tradition of supporting the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal. Since 1951, CFA volunteers have been actively involved in fundraising efforts, raising more than $39 million for this vital cause.

CFA volunteers turn out in their thousands each year, rattling tins on fire trucks and at traffic lights, in shopping centres, football clubs, camping grounds and at hundreds of events across Victoria. This iconic involvement has become a cherished part of the Good Friday Appeal, showcasing the CFA's commitment to helping not only during emergencies but also through community support.

Many volunteers have personal connections to the hospital. For example, some members or their families have received care at the Royal Children’s Hospital, making their participation even more meaningful.

Thank you to communities across Victoria for their support of our volunteers each Good Friday Appeal. With your help we can ensure kids are provided with the best possible treatment and care.

234 CFA members have received AFSMs since they were first awarded in 1988.

The Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) is awarded for distinguished and meritous service by a member of an Australian fire service.

The AFSM replaced the Imperial awards of the Queen's Fire Service Medal for Gallantry and the Queen's Fire Service Medal for Distinguished Service. Recipients of the Australian Fire Service Medal are entitled to use the post-nominal letters "AFSM".

Nominations for the next round of Australian Fire Service Medals are open until 1 May 2025.

CFA volunteers and seconded staff can be considered for an AFSM if they:

• Are current serving members (within two years) who work on the frontline with prolonged exposure to hazard;
• Use their frontline experience for training or educating others; and/or
• Have made a significant, distinguished or outstanding contribution to CFA and more broadly.

Visit CFA’s awards website to download the nomination form

The Wye River bushfire, also known as the Jamieson Track fire, struck Victoria's Great Ocean Road region during the 2015-16 fire season.

It began on 19 December when lightning sparked two bushfires in the Otway Ranges.

Over the following weeks, the fire burned approximately 2,500 hectares of land.

The fire's rapid spread was fuelled by dry conditions and strong winds, making it one of the most intense bushfires in the area in decades.

On Christmas Day, the fire escalated dramatically, fuelled by dry conditions and strong winds. This led to the fire jumping containment lines and impacting on the townships of Wye River and Separation Creek early on the morning of 25 December.

Cooler conditions and overnight rainfall slowed the fire on the morning of 26 December, however the steep and heavily vegetated terrain continued to burn for several weeks.

The fire was eventually contained on 21 January 2016 after 34 days of relentless efforts by firefighters and emergency crews.

It destroyed 116 homes - 98 in Wye River and 18 in Separation Creek.

Despite the extensive damage, no lives were lost, thanks to timely evacuations and the efforts of emergency services.

However, the financial and emotional impact on the communities was substantial. The aftermath saw significant rebuilding efforts, with government grants and community support helping affected residents recover.

This December will mark 10 years since fires in Wye River. The fire remains a stark reminder of the power of nature and the importance of resilience in the face of disaster.

Learn more about our 80th Anniversary

CFA members played a crucial role in the 1972 Faraday School kidnapping, providing support and assistance to the hostages and ensuring their safety and wellbeing until police arrived.

On 6 October 1972, two men kidnapped six students and their 20-year-old teacher Mary Gibbs from the Faraday School near Castlemaine in regional Victoria.

The kidnappers forced the teacher and students into a van and drove them to a remote area in the bush, demanding a $1M random for their safe return.

The Victorian Government announced it would pay the ransom, however when the kidnappers left the hostages unattended to collect their money, Mary managed to escape with the children. They were found a few kilometres away from where they were being held, with CFA members among the first responders to come to their aid. Their involvement was vital in the immediate aftermath, helping to coordinate the response, provide necessary aid to the victims, and keep the hostages safe until police arrived.

Both kidnappers were eventually captured after an extensive manhunt. The incident is often referred to as Australia’s crime of the century.

 

In the 1970s CFA introduced Captain Koala, our mascot for fire safety messaging and comfort to kids experiencing disaster. Captain K plays a crucial role in promoting fire safety and awareness.

Captain Koala can often be found at fire stations, community events and educational sessions. Dressed in the iconic CFA yellows and firefighting helmet, he shares important fire safety tips with the community and helps children understand how to prevent fires and stay safe in case of emergencies.

Some of his key messages include making a fire plan with your family, not playing with fire, ensuring smoke alarms are working and practising safe cooking habits.

 

Captain Koala stats

Birthday: 16 January

Nickname: CK

Background in CFA: CK joined CFA at the age of 11 as a junior brigade member. By the age of 16 he was heavily involved competing for his local brigade at the state junior championships. CK says his favourite CFA moment was when he rescued a dog that was stuck in a drain.

Job: Travels around Victoria teaching fire safety messages to children

Favourite colour: Green

Favourite movie: Shrek

Favourite food: Lasagne with lots of cheese

Likes: Helping people, dancing, surfing, reading crime novels, bushwalking, hanging out with friends and making lasagne

Dislikes: People who don’t listen, brussels sprouts, horror movies

CFA has more than 800 members who form part of the Planned Burn Taskforce - a critical initiative to reduce the severity of bushfire, and protect lives, properties and the environment.

Planned burning is used throughout the year to reduce fuel loads, promote the growth of native grasses, and create what are called a strategic break, a pocket of land that gets burned to create a barrier that slows down the spread of a bushfire.

The Planned Burn Taskforce deploys available CFA volunteers to planned burns to areas of the state in need of personnel.

Members of the taskforce contain a variety of skill sets. Some have extensive burning experience and others have recently completed their General Firefighter.

The work of CFA’s planned burn crews is crucial work that over the 2024-25 fire season has allowed for fires to be contained as well as saved properties and other loved assets.

 

Did you know

CFA has its own team of researchers who make important contributions to science, innovation and development both locally, nationally and internationally?

Our dedication to research and development is integral to enhancing fire safety and emergency management.

Our research team undertakes and drives best practice research and development that enhances corporate knowledge, community partnerships and our operational capability in relation to fire risk.

We focus on several key areas:

• Fire suppression and effectiveness
• Landscape risk and fire behaviour
• Climate change
• Community engagement
• Innovated tools and products

We also collaborate with industry, academic and sector partners to ensure our research is thorough and impactful.

To support this work, we have developed a Research Strategic Plan 2030. This comprehensive roadmap outlines our research commitments, themes and priorities, and describes how our research will support CFA in fulfilling its duties and serving the communities of Victoria as we navigate significant challenges in the coming years.

We know that kids are at a higher risk during fires so teaching them about fire safety is vital in reducing the risk of injury and loss of life and property.

CFA’s school-based program, Fire Safe Kids, is responsible for educating thousands of students about fire safety.

Introduced in 2011, the program is designed for primary and pre-primary students and is delivered by dedicated CFA members who visit schools with engaging and interactive presentations.

Resources and lesson plans for school-aged children of all ages and abilities are also available on our website.

Preventing fires is the best way to keep children safe from fire.

Fire safety education among children and youth is an important step towards a fire smart community.

Find out more about helping kids be fire ready.

Did you know that in the early days before Triple 000 came about, our radios were usually run by the women of our CFA communities?

Each Region had radio bases set up in farmers homes to dispatch vehicles, and it was usually the wives, partners, mothers or daughters of the town that coordinated most broadcasts and made sure everyone knew where the tankers needed to go.

Women became operational fireys during the 1970s and are a vital part of our CFA as it is today.

Did you know?

CFA is trialling the use of drones to examine how emergency response capability can be enhanced.

The trial will assess how drones can assist at structure fires, rescues, hazardous materials and other emergency incidents.

CFA has also supported a trial on the use of drones to conduct planned burns including creating fuel breaks.

Tankers - Through the ages - 80th anniversary

 

CFA played a crucial role in the aftermath of the Southern Aurora Disaster which occurred just after 7am on 7 February 1969.

The tragic event involved a collision between the Southern Aurora, an overnight express passenger train travelling from Sydney to Melbourne, and a goods train near Violet Town in Victoria.

The Southern Aurora bore the brunt of the collision, with two drivers, one electrician, one conductor and five passengers dying. A further 117 passengers were injured in the accident.

As one of the early responders, CFA members assisted in rescue and recovery efforts including freeing passengers trapped in the wreckage with crowbars, shovels and axes as well as providing fire suppression and response coordination.

The efforts of CFA members and other emergency responders were instrumental in managing the aftermath of the disaster and providing aid to those affected.