Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today said three CFA Brigades in Polwarth would receive funding from this year’s Community Safety Emergency Support Program (CSESP).
• The Lethbridge RFB will receive $73,500 in CSESP contributions of a total of $202,000 to purchase a 2400 litre crew cabin medium tanker
• The Leigh FBG will receive $30,000 in CSESP contributions of a total of $45,000 to purchase a command/control field vehicle
• The Pomborneit & District RFB will receive $34,667 in CSESP contributions of a total of $70,000 to purchase a 400 litre light tanker with slip on body
This funding for vehicles and equipment will boost its response capacity and allowing the brigade to continue its vital work.
“Drought and environmental factors such as climate change are placing regional areas at greater risk and it is vital to maintain well-resourced volunteer emergency services groups.
“Be it flood, fire, storm or water rescues, our volunteers are ready to respond and help with recovery efforts. Their tireless hard work and dedication help keep Victoria safe,” Ms Tierney said.
The grant is part of more than $1.25 million going to CFA brigades across the state, helping 27 brigades secure about $3 million in additional emergency services equipment.
The funding builds on $15.5million in grants distributed over the past seven years, enabling volunteer emergency services organisations to buy more than $33.5 million of supplementary equipment. The CFA received almost $8 million in grants over this period.
The grants would support record levels of investment into making Victoria’s world-class emergency services even stronger, Ms Tierney said.
“The State Government has more than doubled the emergency services’ core budget since 1999 – from $254 million to $538 million this year.
“The recent State Budget committed $73 million to emergency services initiatives. We have also renewed the CSESP to offer $11 million in grants over the next four years.
“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,” she said.
Ms Tierney said the grants program helped build successful partnerships between communities, volunteers, emergency service organisations and government.
“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,” she said.