Fire Rescue Victoria

Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) is the state‑wide fire and rescue service for Victoria, Australia, responsible for delivering emergency response to fires, rescues, hazardous material incidents and other emergencies. The organisation provides fire suppression, urban search and rescue, road crash rescue, and specialist capabilities such as chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) response. FRV also conducts community safety programs, including fire prevention education, smoke alarm installation initiatives and bushfire preparedness outreach. Its operational footprint covers both metropolitan Melbourne and regional and rural areas across the state, ensuring that emergency services are accessible to all Victorian communities. FRV works closely with other emergency service agencies, local government and industry partners to coordinate responses and enhance resilience. The service is tasked with protecting life, property and the environment while maintaining readiness for large‑scale incidents.

FRV operates as a statutory authority of the Victorian Government, reporting to the Minister for Emergency Services and established under the Fire Rescue Victoria Act 2018. As a public safety agency, it holds a regulatory role in enforcing fire safety standards and contributing to the state’s emergency management framework. The organisation’s distinguishing attributes include its specialist hazardous materials and rescue teams, its focus on community‑based risk reduction, and its capacity to operate across diverse environments. FRV’s headquarters is located in Melbourne, providing central command and control for statewide operations. The organisation’s commitment to maintaining operational continuity was highlighted in December 2022 when a cyber‑attack caused a widespread IT outage, prompting a shift to manual communication methods while emergency response capabilities were preserved. FRV continues to collaborate with cybersecurity specialists and government partners to safeguard its critical systems and ensure reliable service delivery.