I was down at Springvale CFA fire station on the weekend talking to firefighters, and their overwhelming message to me was they are sick of the lies being told about the CFA Enterprise Agreement.



This dispute has dragged on for well over 1000 days and they want it to end.



That is why we've taken action to find a fair and balanced solution. We simply can't let it go on through another fire season – that's just not safe.



I grew up in the country, so I know what local volunteer fire brigades mean to families and towns across Victoria.



While there are many lies being told about the agreement, the most important fact is this: CFA volunteer fire stations will continue operating as they always have – with their own independence, their own special connections to the community, and their own unique knowledge of their local area.



The role of volunteer firefighters in this state is sacrosanct. At no stage has our government questioned it or jeopardised it.



Anything that says otherwise is a lie.



And a lot of lies have emerged during this destructive scare campaign.



Here are the three worst.



Lie 1: CFA volunteer firefighters won't be allowed to do a thing until seven career firefighters arrive at an incident.



Fact: First of all, the requirement is that seven career firefighters simply be dispatched. If the fire is under control, the second truck can be cancelled.



Secondly, this requirement is limited only to 34 "integrated" CFA stations in highly-populated areas, like Frankston and Geelong.



It won't apply at the other almost 1,200 CFA stations across Victoria – that's 97 per cent of them.



Ultimately, I believe having more firefighters in these 34 fast-growing and highly-populated areas is a good thing, not a bad thing. We're providing more police and paramedics, too.



Lie 2: There will be a veto power over the decisions of the CFA.



Fact: There is no veto in this agreement.



Like most workplaces, there will be consultation on issues that affect the employment of career firefighters, such as the recognition of prior learning. If they don't reach agreement, it goes to an independent umpire.



Lie 3: This new agreement will destroy the CFA.



Fact: That's just an insult to the commitment and dedication of volunteer and career firefighters everywhere.



It's the most irresponsible lie of all, because it's made people unnecessarily concerned about their homes, businesses and livestock. And that's scare campaigning 101.



At Wye River for example, we had a volunteer incident controller in charge of the fire ground. That will not change under this agreement.



I promise you that by the time the next fire season rolls around, the CFA will be stronger than ever before.



The long-running dispute will be behind us and more career firefighters will be on the ground in 34 highly-populated areas to support the volunteer effort.



We've appointed Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley to oversee the implementation of the agreement and make sure the role of volunteers is protected.



We've also invested in new trucks, stations and training facilities for volunteer brigades across the state, and we'll deliver presumptive rights to cancer compensation for both volunteer and career firefighters.



As we end this dispute, the most important thing is this: the CFA will be stronger than ever, and so will be the dedicated volunteers who have protected our state for so many years.

Daniel Andrews is Premier of Victoria