The VFBV Volunteer Support & Recovery Trust fund (formerly Black Saturday Recovery Trust Fund) was established in 2009 following the Black Saturday fires to provide assistance to CFA volunteer firefighters who had suffered loss as a result of the Victorian Black Saturday Fires.

The Fund was created by CFA volunteers to support volunteers.

It became apparent that while volunteers are often out responding to emergencies during these large scale events helping others, they often find their own homes and properties are impacted. This fund is dedicated to helping those that help others.

This fund is established to respond to significant natural disasters (storm and fire) impacting on CFA volunteers. The fund is presently supporting CFA volunteers impacted by the 2025/26 Vicotrian bushfires. It has previosuly supported volunteer fireifghters who were imapcted by the 2009 Black Saturday Bushfires, and the 2019/20 Black Summer Bushfires.

It provides swift one-off grants to help CFA volunteer fireifghters recover from loss of life, loss of home, and loss of outbuildings, fencing, stock, livelihood and any other impacts. it helps them get back on their feet, and cover essential expenses while they are rebuilding their lives.

Following the devastating impacts of Black Saturday in 2009, the fund has awarded over $1.2M in grants to CFA volunteers and their families suffering from hardship. 

VFBV is the peak body that represents CFA volunteers under the Country Fire Authority Act 1958. The Trust is a registered charity, and VFBV as the peak body covers all administration fees, ensuring that 100% of funds donated by the general public and recieved by the Trust are awarded as volunteer grants. 

While there are no words that could adequately communicate the impact of our donors financial support to our volunteer firefighters in their time of greatest need, on behalf of all brigades and volunteers who have been or will be beneficiaries of your donation, we say a very heartfelt thank-you.