CFA/VFBV Drought support fund

The growing desire at brigade and group level to provide support to CFA brigades and communities in severe drought affected areas of the state has led to Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria (VFBV), with CFA's support, arranging for the Bendigo Bank to establish a Drought Support Fund to enable a co-ordinated collection point for brigade and group donations.

A successful drought support strategy is already operating in the North West Area, and the Midlands Wimmera Area is also implementing a similar strategy. The CFA/VFBV Drought Support Fund will help to extend this support to other parts of Victoria experiencing significant impact from drought by enabling brigades and groups state-wide to contribute financial support if they want to.

This is one step towards supporting communities affected by drought, and will form part of the overall program to be consolidated by CFA with the support of VFBV. CFA, supported by VFBV, will establish a means for distributing the collected funds. This will initially be via programs already in place, and extending support to other parts of the state identified as warranting assistance. While CFA will administer the drought support fund and various support strategies, there will be volunteer involvement in determining the most effective use of funds raised.

Donations to the fund can be made at any Bendigo Bank branch ("CFA/VFBV Drought Support Fund" Account 1324-810-60) or by forwarding a cheque payable to CFA/VFBV Drought Support Fund" to CFA HQ Finance Section, PO Box 701, Mount Waverley, VIC 3149, marked Attention Ron Fasciani. For further information, see the VFBV website www.vfbv.com.au/hotIssues.php.

Note: the CFA/VFBV Drought Support Fund is different to the The Rural Payback Time Appeal, which was publicised in the last edition of Fire Flyer here