Emergency services gear up with VESEP funding

MORE than a score of emergency service units across Western Victoria will share in more than half a million in grants providing essential operational vehicles and equipment, appliances and communication upgrades.

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).

Under VESEP, 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.

Local grants in this round go into five figures and as high as the low six figures in some cases.

The recipients are:

• Anglesea SLSC – Minor building repairs, chairs and binoculars, $2,195
• Apollo Bay Ocean Rescue Inc – Training dummy, appliances, life jackets, hi-vis jackets, storage lockers, $16,233
• Apollo Bay SLSC – Air compressor for an Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) – $1,060
• Bostocks Creek CFA – Building improvements, $112,000
• CFA District 6 DPC – supply and Install toilet, $35,000
• Coastal CFA – ICT equipment, $2,453
• Cobden SES – ARGO Aurora UTV and trailer, $50,690.98
• Dreeite South CFA – Chainsaw, $1,061
• Fairhaven SLSC – All-Terrain Vehicle, surf rescue boards and an air compressor, $27,623
• Irrewillipe CFA – Chainsaw and fuel container, $902
• 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
• Pomborneit & District CFA – Replacement of carpet, $2,394
• Port Campbell SLSC – Isuzu 4WD vehicle and flashing light/reverse beeper including installation – $31,318
• Torquay CFA – Thermal Imaging Camera – Rural, $2,705
• Torquay Marine Rescue – Replacement boat trailer and trailer bollards, $13,798.00
• Torquay SLSC – Thundercat IRB hull, $9,833
• Winchelsea CFA – ICT equipment, $1,961
• Wurdale CFA – Ultra-Light Tanker, $125,000
• Wye River CFA – ICT equipment, $1,267, and
• Wye River SLSC – Access improvements, including ramp upgrades, $73,333.
• Labor Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney welcomed last week’s announcement of the 22 receipients.

“These projects will give our volunteers the vehicles, tools and ICT equipment needed to effectively carry out their duties,” she said.

“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.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jaclyn Symes said the floods across Victoria had already demonstrated it was going to be another busy season for the state’s 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 20 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.”

For the full list of successful VESEP grant recipients, head to emv.vic.gov.au/vesep