October 15th, 2026State government delivers massive emergency services boost
The state government is backing the Victorians who keep us safe with the equipment, resources and support they need.
More funding for volunteers, more aircraft and hundreds of firefighting vehicles will help keep Victorians safe this summer.
Powering up our volunteers
The state government is delivering the biggest-ever Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program.
Minister Edbrooke recently visited the Whitehorse SES Unit to announce this year’s recipients.
More than $31 million will be shared across 350 projects for CFA, VICSES, Life Saving Victoria and Volunteer Marine Search and Rescue.
Whitehorse will receive more than $127,000 for a new 4WD twin-cab ute, three automated defibrillators and new first aid kits.
The record round delivers almost $20 million for vehicles, more than $5 million for facility upgrades and more than $1 million for other operational equipment.
This will deliver new trucks, boats and facility upgrades for volunteers in every region including:
•Longwood CFA and Echuca CFA which will each receive $543,000 for new medium tankers.
•Golden Square CFA which will receive $76,400 for a new field command vehicle.
•Torquay Surf Life Saving which will receive $88,000 for equipment upgrades.
•Carrum Coast Guard which will receive $58,000 for new boats and vehicle refurbishments.
More resources for summer
The state government is investing a further $53 million to ensure more firefighting aircraft and firefighters are available this summer than ever before.
A fleet of 60 aircraft including air cranes, black hawks and large air tankers will support our firies from the air.
Forest Fire Management Victoria will also have more than 600 ultralight firefighting vehicles to support its response – including a surge-pool over more than 100 vehicles.
This means Victoria will have its largest-ever forest firefighting vehicle fleet ready to respond this summer.
We’re also adding 130 forest firefighters and scaling up our existing 500-strong workforce to put more forest firefighters on the ground than ever before.
We’re also strengthening Fire Danger Rating Signs to give communities clear, timely warnings when fire danger rises.
This builds on the $17 million investment in bulk water carriers and diesel security for CFA and $6.4 million for two portable cell service towers to boost communications during emergencies.
It’s at risk under a Liberal-One Nation Coalition
The state government has doubled investment in emergency services including $2.4 billion this year.
That includes our biggest-ever Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program.
Under Jess Wilson’s Liberal-One Nation Coalition, this is all at risk.
They’ve promised to cut VESEP grant funding.
You can’t cut $40 billion from the budget without cutting emergency services that keep Victorians safe.
“Our emergency volunteers are there for Victorians when it matters most, and the Victorian government is giving them the equipment and facilities to get the job done,” Minister for Emergency Services Paul Edbrooke said.
“The Liberal-One Nation Coalition will cut grants to CFA, SES, Lifesaving Victoria and other volunteers – you can’t cut $40 billion without cutting the emergency services Victorians rely on,” Mr Edbrooke said.
“The Victorian government is delivering Victoria’s largest-ever aircraft fleet and more forest firefighters than ever before, so our crews are ready for this summer,” Minister for Environment Jaclyn Symes said.
“Whitehorse SES is the busiest SES in Victoria and I’m proud to back these amazing local volunteers with new equipment to keep doing their vital work to keep our community safe,” Member for Box Hill Paul Hamer said.
