The Andrews Labor Government has invested $560,412 in Emergency Service Units across Western Victoria to provide essential operational vehicles and equipment, appliances and communication upgrades.
Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney, welcomed the announcement made last week that 22 local emergency service organisations would receive funding to deliver a range of projects.
The 22 projects are some of 250 grants sharing in $14 million in funding under the Victorian Government’s 2021-22 Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP).
Recipients include:
| Anglesea SLSC | Minor building repairs, chairs and binoculars | $2,195.00 |
| Apollo Bay Ocean Rescue Inc | Training dummy, appliances, life jackets, Hi-Vis jackets, storage lockers | $16,233.00 |
| Apollo Bay SLSC | Air compressor for an Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) | $1,060.00 |
| Bostocks Creek CFA | Building Improvements | $112,000.00 |
| CFA District 6 DPC | Supply and Install Toilet | $35,000.00 |
| Coastal CFA | ICT equipment | $2,453.00 |
| Cobden SES | ARGO Aurora UTV and trailer | $50,690.98 |
| Dreeite South CFA | Chainsaw | $1,061.00 |
| Fairhaven SLSC | All-Terrain Vehicle, surf rescue boards and an air compressor | $27,623.00 |
| Irrewillipe CFA | Chainsaw and Fuel Container | $902.00 |
| Jan Juc SLSC | Isuzu 4×4 patrol vehicle, signage, warning lights/reverse beeper and radio transfer | $32,383.33 |
| Lorne SLSC | Side-by-Side Vehicle | $16,116.00 |
| Otway CFA | Pelican Remote Lighting and Accessories | $1,086.00 |
| Pomborneit & District CFA | Replacement of carpet | $2,394.00 |
| Port Campbell SLSC | Isuzu 4WD vehicle and flashing light/reverse beeper including installation | $31,318.00 |
| Torquay CFA | Thermal Imaging Camera – Rural | $2,705.00 |
| Torquay Marine Rescue | Replacement boat trailer & trailer bollards | $13,798.00 |
| Torquay SLSC | Thundercat IRB hull | $9,833.00 |
| Winchelsea CFA | ICT equipment | $1,961.00 |
| Wurdale CFA | Ultra-Light Tanker | $125,000.00 |
| Wye River CFA | ICT equipment | $1,267.00 |
| Wye River SLSC | Access improvements, including ramp upgrades | $73,333.00 |
Under the program, the Victorian Government matches every $1 paid by volunteer groups with a $2 co-contribution.
The annual grants program gives volunteer emergency service groups the opportunity to apply for grants to purchase equipment including vehicles, trucks, tankers, watercraft and trailers, and for minor improvements including refurbishments and amenities, such as kitchens and change rooms.
Other operational equipment that can be funded includes chainsaws, generators, quick fill pumps and inflatable rescue boats and engines. For the full list of successful VESEP grant recipients, visit emv.vic.gov.au/vesep.
Quotes attributable to Labor Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney
“These projects will give our volunteers the vehicles, tools and ICT equipment needed to effectively carry out their duties.”
“The Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program is an important annual program providing a critical boost to local volunteer units to ensure they have the right gear to help others in an emergency.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Emergency Services Jaclyn Symes
“As we’ve seen already with the floods across Victoria, it’s going to be another busy season for our emergency service volunteers – that’s why we’re chipping in to help them get the equipment they need to keep Victorians safe.”
“These grants have been going strong since they were first set up more than twenty years ago – communities will continue to proudly contribute to local fundraising efforts, but we want to help reduce that task and demonstrate that we’ll always support our selfless volunteers.”