November 6th, 2021Grants for emergency service volunteers
Emergency service volunteers will get a critical boost to important equipment needed to keep Victorians safe, just in time for the summer season thanks to grants from the state government.
Minister for Emergency Services Jaclyn Symes has announced more than 300 Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP) grants worth over $14 million to CFA, VICSES, Life Saving Victoria (LSV) and Marine Search and Rescue (MSAR) units across the state. The boost will help units to buy operational equipment, vehicles and appliances and make the minor facility improvements they need to respond to emergencies and protect lives and property.
This year’s grant recipients include Milawa Fire Brigade which will receive $195,000 for a new light tanker, ensuring local firefighters have the resources they need ahead of the fire season and to support brigades in neighbouring areas. Milawa is also part of the Moyhu Brigade Group who are getting $36,552 for a new Field Command Vehicle.
Knox VICSES, one of the busiest road crash units for VICSES, will receive a $150,000 grant towards a new heavy rescue truck, while Upper Yarra VICSES will receive $136,951 towards a new light rescue vehicle.
Ahead of summer and Victorians flocking to beaches and waterways, several Life Saving Clubs will be able to improve their equipment – South Melbourne Life Saving Club will receive $64,738, while Cape Paterson Surf Life Saving Club will get $16,138 for real-time CPR training mannequins, defibrillators, and other first-aid equipment.
Victoria’s only inland lifesaving club, Mildura Life Saving Club will receive $100,000 towards the installation of wireless NBN, construction of a first aid room and radio room as well as refurbishments to the kitchen, security cameras and access doors.
The South Gippsland CFA will receive $125,000 towards a new ultra-light tanker, while Beechworth CFA will receive $12,480 towards minor facility improvements.
Grants of up to $150,000 are available to volunteer emergency service groups under the annual grants program, with the program providing $2 for every $1 raised by the volunteer groups.
Since 2015, the Government has invested more than $90 million in VESEP grants to volunteer groups around the state.
