Community
8 November, 2024
Funding flows for responders
COUNTRY Fire Authority (CFA) brigades and groups will share in almost $11.2 million funding to purchase new equipment to help protect their communities.
The Victorian Government’s 2024-2025 Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP) funding was announced recently by the Minister for Emergency Services Jacyln Symes.
The VESEP funding was spread across 167 projects which included a range of replacement vehicles for brigades, including an additional 11 new ultra-light tankers, six Bigfills and 18 Field Command Vehicles.
The Camperdown Fire Brigade group - which consists of the Camperdown, Bookaar, Stonyford, Pomborneit, Weerite, Tesbury, Chocolyn, Boorcan, Terang and Noorat brigades – was among the recipients, receiving $71,000 to go towards the purchase of a purpose-built incident control vehicle.
Camperdown Fire Brigade Group deputy group officer Chris Place said their current vehicle, a Toyota Prado, is no longer fit for purpose as their load has increased to be higher than the storage capacity and weight limitations.
“The vehicle goes to most incidents, and it has an incident controller in it and a number of radios for the different radio frequencies we use and a lot of other equipment to assist in the incident, be it fire, accident or whatever,” he said.
“We carry so much equipment nowadays that the Prado – we’ve got a Prado, and it was very good – but isn’t big enough and it’s not allowed to carry any more weight.
“It’s not allowed to carry what we need, so the CFA have designed a vehicle, which is a Ford ute specifically designed for this job.
“We’re going to replace the Prado – the specifically designed vehicles are very good for incident control, carrying weight and also for towing if we need to tow the trailer.”
Mr Place said it is important for CFA brigades to keep their equipment up -o-date to continue to serve the community.
“It’s wonderful to get the grant,” he said.
“The new vehicles are very good – they’ve got a lot of storage, a higher load carrying capacity, and room to accommodate four to five people and their kit bags – in the past, we weren’t able to take everyone’s kit bags because of weight considerations.
“This vehicle isn’t just used locally – it’s used as the strike team leader’s vehicle and can travel anywhere in the state with the strike team or interstate.
“They’re a very valuable resource.”
Lismore’s CFA brigade also received $71,000 to go towards vehicles and appliances.
Pura Pura’s CFA brigade was also successful, securing $758 for volunteer amenities.
Lismore’s State Emergency Services (SES) brigade received $101,433.75 through the VESEP, which will go towards vehicles and appliances.
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said VESEP grants help provide brigades with significant funding for life-saving equipment.
“This program provides $2 for every $1 of funding from the brigade and helps with the purchase of equipment such as vehicles, trucks, tankers, watercraft, trailers, and can also include minor facility improvements,” he said.
“The contribution from the government towards equipment means brigades have a great incentive to fundraise in their communities and apply for a VESEP grant.
“There are also Special Access Grants available to provide a further financial boost for brigades that face challenges with fundraising.”
The full list of successful applicants has been published on the Emergency Management Victoria website at www.emv.vic.gov.au/how-we-help/grants-and-awards.
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