VOLUNTEER Fire Brigades Victoria is urging volunteer firefighters to stay strong in the wake of a new enterprise agreement dispute.

Board member Mick Nunweek of Stawell said it was critical volunteers did not resign.

“We join to serve our communities and whatever happens, we'll continue to go to fires,” he said.

“We'll continue to do all the day to day things we do with the fire brigade.

“Our premier and the United Firefighters Union want brigade members to resign and get disorganised and go out on a limb.

“We need to stand firm and protect our communities. It’s business as usual for the authority.”

MONDAY

WIMMERA volunteer firefighters will continue to battle the state government about a new enterprise bargaining agreement.

Country Fire Authority district 17 volunteers gathered in Horsham on Sunday for a meeting with Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria board president Nev Jones and Member for Mallee Emma Kealy.

Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria state councillor Maurice Dumesny, who is based in Horsham, said about 60 people attended the meeting at Horsham Fire Station.

“Nev spoke about the situation and urged volunteers not to resign,” he said.

“We are hoping the government will acknowledge our request to have a dialogue about the agreement.

“At this stage there's been absolutely nothing. We've tried to have conversations with them.

“We’re just trying to get our point across.”

Mr Dumesny said one of the agreement’s sticking points was a clause stating all firefighter training should be done with potable water.

“Because our training ground at Longerenong is not on potable water, all Country Fire Authority training here would cease is that clause took effect,” he said.

The government gave the authority board until 5pm on Friday to accept the new enterprise agreement. 

The board refused, and new Emergency Services Minister James Merlino then moved to sack the board.

Mr Merlino replaced Jane Garrett, who resigned earlier on Friday.

Mr Dumesny said the board was still in place as far as Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria representatives knew.

“We’re getting conflicting reports though,” he said.

“Nev seemed to think the authority’s chief officer Lucinda Nolan’s job might be in jeopardy at this stage.

“She was handpicked by the government to oversee changes in the authority, and unfortunately she could be a casualty of all this.”

Mr Dumesny said there was much work left to be done.

“There has been talk of parking trucks at Parliament House in Melbourne, but the board doesn't want that because it puts communities in jeopardy,” he said.

“We have to protect our communities as best we can, and can't afford to have radical events like that.

“We are getting some more banners made up saying 'Hands off our CFA' to draw people's attention to the issue.

”James Merlino seems to think the fight is over, but it's far from over.”