The employees of Fire Rescue Victoria (firefighters and corporate staff) have a long tradition of supporting charity and for helping each other in times of need. Their role in employment is to “protect the community”. Charitable work is an extension of this commitment.
In early 2009 a small group of firefighters met to discuss a more co-ordinated approach to charitable efforts throughout the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB). They identified that there were two main areas of fundraising within the MFB, the first being the support of external charities (such as the RCH, the Alfred Burns Unit and various cancer networks) and second the support of individual members (or their immediate families) in times of need.
Extensive research into the nature of charitable funds, workplace giving, ATO requirements, Consumer Affairs requirements and successful schemes of a similar nature was undertaken prior to formulation of this model.
Since the charity’s founding we had expanded our member base to include career firefighters and staff in MFB’s sister organisation, the Country Fire Authority (CFA). In mid 2020 the MFB and CFA combined into a new state wide organisation called Fire Rescue Victoria. Our aim as a charity is to help all staff from this now unified fire service to combine their giving power and bring even more benefit to the community.
The Firefighters Charity Fund contributes funds to various major charities (including donations to our core areas of children’s health, burns, cancer and mental health) in Victoria, and to FireLegacy.
FireLegacy is a fund that assists our community and their families when they are put under financial stress due to the costs of medical conditions and their treatment.
The Charity was developed with the full support of both the FRV and UFU. The Board of the Firefighters Charity Fund is an independent body, with all Board members being FRV employees.
Our Logo
The charity fund logo represents to us the relationship between the fire service and people in need. That connection is part of our every day job and also what the Firefighters Charity Fund and FireLegacy are all about.