Deputy Premier of Victoria and Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Peter Ryan, today announced the emergency service groups successful in receiving the grants at an official event at the CFA Sale Fire Station.
VESEP is a new equipment grants program for local emergency services volunteer groups. The program aims to enhance the capability and safety for local volunteers when responding to emergencies, and provide the state with assets to continue to respond to the increase in significant events such as bushfires, floods and heatwaves.
As part of the 2012-13 VESEP, a record 166 brigades have received funding towards operational equipment and appliances such as quick-fill trucks, tankers, trailers and amenities upgrades.
Of the 166 grants, 34 are for equipment, 75 for volunteer amenities improvements and 57 for the upgrade or replacement of vehicles.
CFA Chief Officer, Euan Ferguson, said the funding would provide a real boost to brigades across the state.
“In addition to these project grants, VESEP also allocated CFA $1.4 million to a state-wide initiative that focuses on improving member safety and welfare, including new or replacement equipment such as pumps, generators and fire blankets,” Mr Ferguson said.
“This initiative will provide valuable support to more than 60,000 CFA members who work tirelessly and selflessly to protect our Victorian communities.”
Equipment grants have also been allocated to the Victoria State Emergency Service, Life Saving Victoria, Australian Volunteer Coast Guard, Shepparton Search and Rescue Squad, Volunteer Marine Rescue, St John Ambulance, Ambulance Victoria Community Emergency Response Teams and Citizens Radio Emergency Service Teams.
The Victorian Government VESEP initiative has been designed in consultation with volunteer groups, including Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria. It was launched in February 2011 and will continue annually.
For more information about the program, follow the link to the website.
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