As Minister for Police and Emergency Services, I know that volunteers are the lifeblood of our community. I've had the privilege of meeting thousands of dedicated firefighters in my role, and each and every one has an unwavering commitment to community safety and the people they serve.

They do an incredible job every day, and we're extremely thankful for that.

As our population grows and instances of fire increases across homes, businesses and commercial properties, we need to make sure populated areas have the fastest fire response times possible.

Our firefighters currently operate under systems and structures that have not changed since the 1950s. Our fire reforms will give them - and the Victorian community - the world class fire services they deserve.

With the establishment of Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV), we're creating a modern fire service, bringing all paid firefighters across the state into one organisation.

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Change can be difficult and as our reforms take effect, I know that there have been concerns in some sections of the community.

There has been some speculation that volunteers will not continue to be called out in FRV districts and I want to give my full assurance that volunteer firefighters will absolutely continue to play a central role in the day to day provision of fire prevention and suppression activities in the 38 integrated fire station areas.

For the majority of volunteers, nothing will change under Fire Rescue Victoria - our reforms impact on the 38 integrated brigades and the remaining 1200 will continue as they always have.

As a strengthened volunteer firefighting CFA, they'll continue to provide a valuable service to their communities, including vital day to day support as well as surge capacity for campaign or other major fire events.

Their local knowledge is imperative to community safety and they will continue to provide their skills and expertise alongside FRV career firefighters. Our legislation also enshrines in law the ongoing role of volunteer firefighters and the requirements of the CFA to continue to support, train and retain volunteers.

We've recently backed that in with a $126 million-dollar investment for the CFA to go towards critical training and equipment, and we will continue to invest in our volunteers to ensure the CFA has the funding necessary to remain a strong and sustainable agency.

We have not undertaken these reforms lightly. Between February and March 2020, 54 engagement workshops were held with more than 1330 volunteers, with all volunteers at integrated stations invited - from Swan Hill to Melton, Hamilton to Wendouree, Shepparton to Dandenong, Morwell to Wodonga.

We will continue to engage and support our volunteer firefighters in the days, weeks and months ahead. As minister, my priority is to ensure that the community has the best fire services it can possibly have. To support both FRV and CFA to be the best organisations they can possibly be.

We're getting on with the job of delivering these changes that were not only put forward at the election and voted for by Victorians but were passed by the Parliament and are now enshrined in law.

The Andrews Labor Government backs each and every one of our firefighters - we always will. I look forward to continuing to work closely with the sector as we write a new chapter in modernising Victoria's fire services together.

Lisa Neville, Minister for Emergency Services

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