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NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED

OUR VISION
DRIVE, DIRECT, GUIDE -  to provide leadership in the development of policy, standards and legislation relevant to our members.

OUR MISSION
Effectively represent and promote the interests of our members.

OUR VALUES
Support our Members
Provide the Opportunity
Build their Future

The NSW Rural Fire Service Association – RFSA is a bi-partisan, non political state-wide organisation. It is the only officially recognised member Association that is in the best position to represent all members, both Volunteers and Salaried staff of the NSW Rural Fire Service.

The RFSA we see today was born out of a collaboration of the FCOA – Fire Control Officers Association and Senior Volunteers, and was formed in 1996. The FCOA was an effective means of communicating the views of Fire Control Officers and their Deputies to the then Bush Fire Service. Volunteers, however, were unrepresented and were without a say on issues that both directly or indirectly affected them. Both groups saw an opportunity for one truly united representative body of all members to lobby the Service and Government in relation to such issues as funding, the structure of the Service, personnel and equipment.

The RFSA is in the best position to represent all members of the Service as:

• It is a professional entity with its own office and staff to support its membership. 
   
• It has a set of objectives which are:
  • To provide a forum to consolidate and represent the views of all its members to the Service.
  • To ensure that the views of all members are taken into account in the decision making process of the Service.
  • To be the focal point, one voice in assisting the Government and the Senior Management Team in the development of the Service.
  • To provide tangible benefits to all members.
     
• There is a structure in place. The State Council is the governing body with a Chairperson and Delegate from each of the eight Regions represented by both Volunteer and Salaried staff. With eight Regions we can ensure a comprehensive state-wide coverage. The Executive ‘group’, inclusive of the Association’s Office Bearers, oversees the day to day running of the RFSA. 

• The RFSA has representation on all Statutory and Advisory Committees and has been instrumental in developing previously formed, and establishing additional, Advisory Committees in consultation with the Service. Those committees are Operations, Technical, Learning & Development, Communications, Community Education and OH&S.

The RFSA is also represented on all Statutory Committees, the Bush Fire Coordinating Committee, Fire Services Joint Standing Committee and the Rural Fire Service Advisory Committee. The RFSA also has representation on CEG, the policy advisory committee of the NSW Rural Fire Service. This committee comprises amongst others, the Commissioner, Executive Directors, Chief of Staff and Regional Managers. In addition, the RFSA is represented on various Rural Fire Service working parties, the RFS / Local Government Liaison Committee and the AAVFBA - the Australasian Assembly of Volunteer Fire Brigade Associations.

A major initiative that has been established was the development of joint the Rural Fire Service / RFSA Executive Meetings. Represented at these meetings are the Commissioner, Executive Directors and Chief of Staff from the Service, with the RFSA’s Executive team and CEO. These meetings allow the RFSA the opportunity to work directly with the Senior Executive team of the Rural Fire Service on a number of issues.

• The RFSA has delivered an impressive array of achievements such as:
  • The development of a Volunteer Charter – an agreement between the Rural Fire Service Association, the NSW State Government and Rural Fire Service which ensures that the State Government and the Service will commit to consultation with volunteers on all matters which may directly impact upon them.
  • Provides an annual President’s Scholarship of $10,000.00 each for one Volunteer and one Salaried staff member to enhance their professional and personal development.
  • Introduced the Grants Scheme which provides financial assistance to NSW rural fire brigades and support groups for purposes not covered by government funding such as air conditioners, computers, data projectors, CPR dummies and oxy vivas. The overall objective of the Grants Scheme is to improve the welfare of volunteer fire fighters and support initiatives that will also benefit the wider community. With a combination of Grants Scheme 1 & 2, the RFSA has distributed $1,250,000.00 to over 490 brigades and support groups throughout NSW with a further $750,000.00 being allocated to Grant Scheme 3.

A dedication and commitment to work together has been the catalyst in delivering these achievements.

Whilst so much has been achieved by the RFSA, what has been recognised is the need for change with the introduction of a number of initiatives. The catalyst for these changes is the need for the RFSA to remain relevant to its members in today’s ever changing environment. These initiatives have been developed through a series of workshops and consultation throughout the organisation.

With the introduction of these initiatives, the RFSA will not only set a platform for its continuing development but will become a stronger, more proactive and united organisation and as such remain the organisation that is in the best position to represent the views of all members, as one voice in assisting the ongoing development of the NSW Rural Fire Service.

RFSA BROCHURE
To download a copy of our current brochure in.pdf format Click "HERE"