The Fit for Duty program aims to increase the safety of members by improving access to health services and providing a supportive and healthy work environment.

CFA Fit for Duty project manager Emma Court said the program was undergoing pilot testing with operational volunteers from class four and five brigades in Warrnambool, Port Fairy, Hamilton and Koroit.  

“These brigades are situated in bigger townships and therefore have more risk attached to them,” she said. 

“We know that our volunteers don’t always choose to put their own well-being first and we want to make CFA an organisation of choice.

“Earlier this year we met and engaged with those four brigades and put together a pilot program that consists of a number of different activities including a physical health component, medical declaration forms and health checks. 

“We have worked closely with Deakin University to develop the physical component of the program so that it includes activities that reflect what our volunteers are doing on the fire ground. 

“We are also providing mental health first training to a number of our members and running more internal wellbeing sessions that target ways to stay mentally healthy.” 

CFA district five operations manager Richard Bourke said Warrnambool CFA volunteers met at Friendlies Society Park this week to take part in physical task-based activities, including a hose wind, rake hoe and hose drag. 

“As the program is still in pilot testing, we are constantly receiving feedback on what does and doesn’t work and then making refinements where necessary,” he said. 

“Volunteers are also encouraged to take part in a health check that is CFA funded. They can do this internally or with their own GP.”

Ms Court said the program was also being discussed with other south-west brigades. 

“We have 93 class one to three brigades that provide a large support role to our bigger brigades,” she said.

“Along the Great Ocean Road we have a lot of little brigades that attend road accidents or house fires and although they may not turn out as often, their wellbeing is as equally important to us.” 

Ms Court said that once complete, feedback would be provided to the CFA chief officer, who would determine if the program would be rolled out across the state. 

“So far we have seen a lot of benefits come out of this program and we hope that it’s something that we can continue into the future.

“As we are in the pilot test stage, the program is not compulsory and only those who want to be engaged can opt into it."

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