cfa Volunteers Group Inc

23/08/2026

While wandering the aisles of this year’s AFAC Conference in Melbourne, we ran into these two CFA volunteer legends from Wairewa CFA, Jadon and Darryl.

As always, one of the best parts of getting out and about is simply talking to fellow volunteers and, more importantly, listening to them.

Building a strong understanding of what’s happening in brigades right across Victoria and making sure our CFA brothers and sisters have a strong voice is a big part of what the CFA Volunteers Group is all about.

Jadon is going to jump onto one of our fortnightly Zoom meetings, where volunteers from across the state can catch up, share what’s happening in their brigades, raise issues and help shape what we advocate for.

You’re welcome to join us too.

No matter where you’re from, we want to hear what’s working, what isn’t, and what really matters to volunteers on the ground.

Message us for the Zoom link or simply reach out for a chat.

The stronger the connection between our volunteers, the stronger our collective voice.

19/08/2026

CFAVG at the AFAC Conference

09/08/2026

This puts it into real context.

Please share it around

Ben Carroll MP
Vicki Ward MP for Eltham
Jaclyn Symes
Anthony Carbines MP
Bev McArthur MP
Senator Bridget McKenzie
Dan Tehan MP
Roma Britnell MP
Jess Wilson MP
Brad Battin MP
One Nation Party

🚒 JUST HOW OLD IS A 1989 CFA TANKER?

Yesterday we showed you Muckatah CFA’s 37 year old tanker, still in regular operational service.

But sometimes a number doesn’t really sink in.

So let’s put 1989 into perspective.

When this CFA tanker was built…

🌐 The World Wide Web didn’t exist.

📱 Mobile phones were basically bricks.

📼 VHS was king.

🎮 The original Nintendo Game Boy had just been released.

💾 Computers were using floppy disks.

🚗 Australians were buying VN Commodores and EA Falcons.

📲 There was no Google.
No Facebook.
No YouTube.
No Instagram.
No TikTok.
No iPhone.

🎬 Back to the Future Part II was released that year, imagining the futuristic world of 2015.

That “future” is now 11 years behind us.

The Hit songs of 89’ where
“The Look" by Roxette
"Eternal Flame" by The Bangles
"She Drives Me Crazy" by Fine Young Cannibals

A baby born when this tanker was built would now be 37 years old and possibly have teenage kids

Someone who was 18 and old enough to drive it when it was brand new would now be around 55.

Think about how much has changed since 1989.

Vehicle technology has changed.

Safety standards have changed.

Firefighting has changed.

What we know about firefighter health and safety has changed.

Yet this CFA tanker is still answering the call.

There’s no criticism of Muckatah Brigade here.

Quite the opposite.

They’ve looked after this truck for decades and continue to use the equipment they’ve been provided to protect their community.

But surely 37 years of frontline service is enough.

Our CFA volunteers give their time for free.

They shouldn’t have to ask for modern, safe and fit-for-purpose equipment as well.

🚒 Built 1989.
🚒 Still responding 2026.
🚒 37 years of service.

What can you remember about 1989?
Are you still driving the same vehicle you had in 1989?
Share your comments below.

09/08/2026

What’s the Oldest Primary CFA Tanker Still in Regular Service?

Well here it is.

The Muckatah CFA Brigade’s tanker is a 37year old Isuzu 3.2D two wheel drive tanker, built in July 1989.

Flying under the aerial identification 19L, this tanker originally served at Echuca before being transferred to Muckatah in 2005, where it continues to faithfully serve its community today.

Recently, the tanker spent several months off the road while repairs were carried out. Fortunately, it has now returned to service.

After speaking with Captain Glen Hamson, he remains hopeful the brigade may soon receive a replacement vehicle but is disappointed that CFA continues to remain silent on the replacement plan.

Captain Glen wasn’t interested in criticising anyone, but he did explain one of the practical challenges of operating such an older vehicle. As a two wheel drive single cab tanker, it is no longer eligible to respond on strike teams. During the repair period, Muckatah members responded in a district spare tanker instead of their own appliance.

For a proud, community focused brigade, that was understandably disappointing.

This story isn’t just about one tanker.

It’s about ensuring there is a fair, transparent and accountable process for replacing CFA tankers across Victoria.

There are still around 600 CFA brigades operating single cab tankers. Many of these vehicles are between 20 and 37 years old.

Having all five crew members travelling safely together in a modern cabin should be the standard, not the exception. Modern vehicles also provide significant improvements in safety, comfort and crew welfare during what can often be long days on the fireground.

So we’d like to hear from you.

Do you think it’s acceptable that hundreds of CFA brigades are still responding in ageing single cab tankers, some more than three decades old?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

08/08/2026

29/07/2026

A Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee report into the devastating 2026 Victorian bushfires has been tabled in parliament.

The inquiry made 80 recommendations, and the government will now have six months to respond.

Read here: https://ab.co/4vXkuvg

29/07/2026

We all took a trip to melbourne today to catch up with multiple parties and MP’s to highlight the issues we all face.

23/07/2026

In Nar Nar Goon's fire brigade, 22 volunteers have been diagnosed with cancer. But as members work to obtain their work insurance cover, almost half of the members are not covered by the state's presumptive legislation.