In a display of solidarity, local career firefighters, volunteers and union representatives stood together at a rally at parliament house on Tuesday to show the long-running dispute had not caused any rifts in local ranks.

Local volunteer firefighter James Witham, who attended the rally, said the agreement could prove beneficial for both volunteer and paid firefighters.

“I’m one of many volunteers that actually sees that this (the EBA) will be in the interests of not only volunteers but also the community,” Mr Witham said.

Central to the confusion has been the proposed requirement for seven professional firefighters to be dispatched for fires at 31 of 1200 CFA stations.

A common misconception is that seven career firefighters must be on site before firefighting can begin.

United Firefighters Union delegate Patrick Shawcross said it is imperative that clarity is established around the draft EBA.

“The career staff and volunteers have unfortunately become political footballs,” he said.

“We’re (as a collective) the one’s who are suffering.

“There’s a lot of untruths and mixed messages, but the draft EBA certainly clears up a lot off matters.

The dispatch of seven professional firefighters was one of several extracts in the UFU/CFA agreement recommended by Fair Work Commissioner Julius Roe.

Emergency Services Commissioner Craig Lapsley has been appointed to oversee the deal implementation.

Mr Witham said the measure will have a positive affect.

“Particularly during business hours when volunteers struggle because we’ve all got jobs and other commitments, it’s about ensuring there’s enough career staff on the road and mobile to make sure there’s a minimum of seven firefighters on the ground if its needed,” he said.

“The key word is dispatched.

“It’s about safety for firefighters and the community.”