$13 Million Boost For Victoria’s Emergency Volunteers

Emergency services volunteers across the state will share in $13 million in grants to help them keep Victorian communities safe, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.

Minister for Emergency Services James Merlino today visited the Stawell SES unit today to announce the outcome of the 2017-18 Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program, delivering grants to 300 successful applicants.

The program funds operational equipment, including vehicles, trucks, tankers, watercraft, trailers and minor facility upgrades.

Stawell SES successfully applied for $65,000 to help in the purchase of a new Crew Cab vehicle.

The new vehicle will significantly improve the unit's ability to respond to incidents in areas with steep terrain and limited road access, such as in the Grampians National Park.

The grants package assists all our emergency services volunteer organisations, including:

• $9.55 million for volunteer CFA brigades
• $2.05 million for SES units
• More than $750,000 for Life Saving Victoria clubs
• More than $320,000 for the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association
• Almost $290,000 for other volunteer organisations
• Almost $50,000 to cover additional costs incurred by volunteers.

The Labor Government is also allocating almost $2.5 million in state-wide initiatives. For more information about the grants and a complete list of successful recipients under this round, visit the Emergency Management Victoria website: https://www.emv.vic.gov.au/vesep

Quotes attributable to Minister for Emergency Services James Merlino

“Volunteers are there for us in our time of need, responding to thousands of incidents every year across the state.”

“This funding boost will give these brigades, units and clubs a helping hand so that they can purchase the equipment they need to get on with the job of keeping Victorians safe.”

Quote attributable to Member for Western Victoria Jaala Pulford

“Stawell SES do an incredible job protecting the local community and this new vehicle will make a real difference in rugged areas like the Grampians National Park.”