Local member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today said Terang VICSES would receive $36,020 from this year’s Community Safety Emergency Support Program (CSESP).
Ms Tierney said the funding would help the unit secure Local Headquarters extensions.
In total, 20 VICSES units will buy more than $1.2 million in extra emergency equipment by matching almost $809,000 in CSESP grants with their own contributions. This funding comes in addition to that provided by the VICSES budget process.
The funding builds on $18.3 million in grants distributed over the past eight years, enabling volunteer emergency services groups to buy more than $46 million of supplementary equipment to date. VICSES received more than $5.8 million in grants over this period.
Ms Tierney said drought and climate change were placing Victoria at greater risk for severe weather events, and it was vital to maintain well-resourced volunteer emergency services groups.
“Be it fire, flood, storm or water rescues, our volunteers are ready to respond and help with recovery efforts. Their tireless hard work and dedication help keep our communities safe,” she said.
With the additional funding, VICSES units would be able to buy extra equipment, such as emergency rescue vehicles and heavy rescue vehicles, as well as extend and improve facilities at their local unit headquarters.
“Units can secure the latest equipment to carry out their vital work or create safer and more comfortable facilities to improve the experience of their volunteers,” Ms Tierney said.
“The grants would support record levels of investment into making Victoria’s world-class emergency services even stronger.
“The additional funding supports our commitment to maintain well-resourced emergency services and provides volunteer groups with extra equipment to help them carry out their important work.
“The Brumby Government highly values the vital work volunteers do, responding to a wide range of emergencies to assist their communities in times of need,24 hours a day, 365 days a year” she said.