Emergency Management Victoria has put $17,000 towards bolstering LGBTIQ+ inclusion in the Country Fire Association.
Ambassadors from the CFA’s LGBTIQ+ support group CFA Pride will embark on a roadshow to provide staff, management teams and volunteers from all CFA regions across the state with information and training on LGBTIQ+ inclusion.
The funding also secures resources for CFA Pride’s participation in LGBTIQ+ pride events such as Daylesford’s Chillout Festival in March.
CFA inclusion and fairness assistant chief officer Steve Smith said the grant was fantastic news for the CFA.
“My hope is this is only the beginning and we continue working to ensure that the CFA is truly inclusive,” Mr Smith said.
CFA Pride ambassador Russell Wright said the CFA had not had particular issues with exclusion, but was committed to the values of fairness and inclusion.
“The CFA has always had an appearance of being a men’s club and a ‘blokey’ organisation, and this is trying to change that image,” Mr Wright said.
“The funding cements the commitment of CFA management to continue to work towards a more fair and inclusive organisation for everyone.”
The district roadshow will take place in the coming months. An itinerary will be released soon.
