What does the VFBA do ? Debate

[fire03rescue]

They are good at organising raffles, competitions, having meetings and saying good luck for the fire season (don't forget free trips OS)
I hate some of the stuff that comes from the UFU, but they look after the members.
Were does the VFBA stand on appliance issues ( eg some brigades lose a pumper for a 24) Lion PPE, crew levels, equipment on appliances, training etc etc

Just some thoughts to get a thread going

[Toast]

It seems to be that the UFU is a little more on the active side, and does look after certain operational issues, including PPE (Look at vic) and applainces/safe working conditions etc..

Compared to the VFBA, well.. yeah...

[nomex_nugget]

I think the saying goes 'don't bite the hand that feeds you'.

When you receive a substantial part of your funding each year from the CFS there is not really much incentive to start pushing issues that might cause problems for the service.

What is the solution ?? Obviously membership fees is one, fundraising for the VFBA is another. I don't see too many people wanting to do either of these though.

Maybe we need an independent body looking after our interests.

On another note, I see their website is now updated with a members only section.

[Toast]

I think the saying goes 'don't bite the hand that feeds you'.

When you receive a substantial part of your funding each year from the CFS there is not really much incentive to start pushing issues that might cause problems for the service.

What is the solution ?? Obviously membership fees is one, fundraising for the VFBA is another. I don't see too many people wanting to do either of these though.

Maybe we need an independent body looking after our interests.

On another note, I see their website is now updated with a members only section.

Ah doesn't each Brigade pay membership fees? I know that all of us are memebers, but to have voting rights you need to pay. Thats my understanding from when a few of the nearby brigades pulled out of the VFBA

[Darius]

the thing about the VFBA is it is all of us, so it's pointless saying "them" and "they" cos it's all of us, whether you like it or not.  The UFU is a union which is quite different.

It's funny I've seen the exact same thing happen with a 4WD club I was in and the state "4WD clubs association".  The club had a falling out with people running the assoc so pulled out.  The assoc still speaks for all 4WD clubs in the state it's just that my club no longer had a say in anything.

If you don't like what is happening, or think nothing is happening, go the VFBA meetings (or even get elected to it) and get in and change it.  Put in your ideas.  Anything else is just whinging.

[firefighter_sa]

Hi there

Well done Darius - I agree the VFBA is only as strong as its supporters.

The VFBA through my life time as managed to achieve some wonderful things - but please take into consideraton Rome wasnt built in a day.

Wayne

[rescue5271]

For along time I have asked the same thing what does the VFBA do for its members,now I can tell you after going to a few functions that they are there for the members we just don't see the work they do. The vfba is only as good as what its members want it to be... There is still work in some areas that I would like to see the VFBA do,like a discount card for volunteer members like the CFA vollies have,discount products from some of the CFS suppliers,discount holidays,discount accommodation but above all I would like to see some new blood on the state committee. I don't mean to be rude and this is not an attack at any of the members on the state committee,but time for new blood to work with the old ones.

All in all the VFBA are doing a job and one that does take them away from there homes and family's almost every week to all parts of the state, so as to meet members.Discuss problems and try and resolve them,on another note there in the process of trying to hold onto the history of the service with its two shed that house old appliances..

I was once a member who asked all the time what the VFBA did now I know and I shall good on you guys keep the good work up but hey let some new blood in at a state level.....

[CFS_Firey]

This was discussed in another thread as well: what does the VFBA do??

Can anyone give me a list of what the VFBA has actually achieved recently?  I really have no idea what they've done.. it would be good to know! :)

[rescue5271]

1) been at the corners inquire each day to support volunteers

2) have set up two locations to gather equipment so as to preseve cfs history

3) held a very good weekend in Naracoorte where CFA/CFS/DEH and volunteers came togeather to discuss problems and ways to resolve them.

[CFS_Firey]

Shouldn't those functions have been fullfilled by the CFS, rather than the union?  (Again, a serious question, not just VFBA bashing)

[PF_]

CFS probably sent them over to the VFBA to handle, just guessing.

[Toast]

1) been at the corners inquire each day to support volunteers

Have they decided on square or rounded?

[Hanging Around]

1) been at the corners inquire each day to support volunteers

Have they decided on square or rounded?

Play nice with the kiddies Toast, there's no mandatory spelling/typing test that needs to be passed in order to post here, so let's not go out of our way to poke fun at people's errors.

[Toast]

1) been at the corners inquire each day to support volunteers

Have they decided on square or rounded?

Play nice with the kiddies Toast, there's no mandatory spelling/typing test that needs to be passed in order to post here, so let's not go out of our way to poke fun at people's errors.

Sorry sir.

[Manuel]

everyone loves toast :-D

[Alan (Big Al)]

I prefer crumpets. :-P :lol:

[Hanging Around]

I prefer pancakes myself.

[rescue5271]

mmmmmmmmm crumpets

[Toast]

Crumpets.

[Manuel]

Crumpets & toast

[CFS_Firey]

Second vote for pancakes... depending on the time of day....

[Toast]

Crumpets are a 24/7 food.

[CFS_Firey]

Do you think the VFBA could supply us crumpets?

[Toast]

Not only 'could' they, it shall be in legislation.

[nomex_nugget]

Guys, do you have to take every single topic and turn it into your own little dribble session, no offence but this is getting ridiculous. I cant see much future for this forum if the same three or four people are going to hijack every topic.

It's kind of like the annoying guy at a party that has to be involved in every conversation, you try and ignore him but he just won't go away.