FRV does not have a mental health strategy. This limits its ability to strategically identify, monitor and manage mental health risks across the organisation in the short and long term. FRV can also improve how it collects, analyses and uses data to inform decisions. 

FRV does not assess psychosocial hazards and their risks. It also does not monitor staff's cumulative exposure to trauma, but it plans to address these gaps.

Covered in this section:

FRV provides mental health services, training and information to all its staff. In our survey, staff who accessed services for an emotional or a mental health issue in the last 12 months said they found them 'quite' or 'extremely' useful.

Overall, FRV staff reported better experiences of mental health support compared to staff in comparable organisations. 

We made 6 recommendations to address our findings. Fire Rescue Victoria has accepted these recommendations.

What we examined

Our audit followed 2 lines of inquiry:

1. Does Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) effectively support and promote a mentally healthy and supportive workplace and culture?

2. Does FRV proactively identify, monitor and manage its employees' mental health and wellbeing risks?

Download a PDF copy of Appendix G: Changes to outputs.

Download a PDF copy of Appendix F: Changes to objectives.

Download a PDF copy of Appendix E: Fair presentation framework assessment criteria.

Download a PDF copy of Appendix D: How VAGO assesses departments' performance measures.

Download a PDF copy of Appendix C: Review scope and method.

Download a PDF copy of Appendix B: Abbreviations, acronyms and glossary.