The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, has started a survey to give local CFA volunteers the opportunity to share their experiences and discuss some of the challenges, pressures, or concerns they may have relating to the role.
Ms Cleeland said the major concerns raised by the local brigades in recent discussions related to funding insecurity, a lack of government support, their ageing fleet of vehicles, and declining volunteer numbers.
“Our local CFA brigades are rightfully concerned about some of the decisions the Labor Government has made when it comes to protecting and supporting our volunteer firefighters,” Ms Cleeland said.
“We’ve witnessed disastrous decisions by this government regarding fire management in recent times: a lack of planned burns, the closure of the sustainable native timber industry, failure to replace aging vehicles, and the loss of over 6,500 operational CFA volunteers.
“Despite our CFA brigades’ proud history and their vital role in regional towns, this government is hellbent on destroying them and tarnishing their reputation.
“The Labor Government’s lack of support is a death by a thousand cuts to our selfless volunteer firefighters, failing those who risk their lives to protect our regional communities.
“The Allan Labor Government has demonstrated an inability to manage projects, finances, and the safe and effective management of our CFA brigades – a terrifying display of incompetence towards those who live in bushfire-prone regions.”
Ms Cleeland thanked all the local brigades for their dedication to keeping their communities safe and encouraged all volunteers to make a submission through the survey.
“The commitment and hard work our local volunteers demonstrate each and every day is greatly valued, and I want to ensure your voice is heard,” Ms Cleeland said.
“This survey will allow me to gather your feedback on government support and your experience on the job so that I can advocate for the improvements needed to support your vital work.
“I want to thank all our CFA volunteers for their time and honest responses.”
The survey can be found at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6HMZBK6
