FUNDING BOOST FOR OUR RURAL EMERGENCY SERVICE VOLUNTEERS

FUNDING BOOST FOR OUR RURAL EMERGENCY SERVICE VOLUNTEERS Main Image

28 November 2023

Brigades in Glendaruel - Mt Beckworth, Pyrenees, Ullina, and Miners Rest and Ararat SES have received
more than a combined $300,000 in funding to support their ongoing service to the local community as
part of the Victorian Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP) grants.

Minister for Emergency Services Jaclyn Symes announced the 2023-24 VESEP grant recipients that will
share in almost $15 million to purchase equipment and enhance emergency response capability to
ensure community safety.

VESEP is an annual grants program which provides funding to Victorian emergency services volunteer
groups to purchase essential operational equipment, vehicles and appliances, and minor facility
improvements.

The Glendaruel - Mt Beckworth Fire Brigade will use their VESEP funding for a new state-of-the-art ultralight
tanker which will allow them to access difficult terrain and better assist the community.

The Miners Rest Fire Brigade welcomed $60,000 for station alterations, while the Pyrenees Group
received more than $20,000 towards the purchase of a generator, Ullina Fire Brigade received $4,000 for
a new split system heating/cooling unit and the Ararat SES unit can purchase a new vehicle after
receiving a $86,899 grant.

Since 2015, the Allan Labor Government has provided $123 million in VESEP grants, ensuring volunteer groups throughout the state have the resources, equipment, and facilities they need to continue their
vital work supporting local communities.

Through this round of grants, CFA brigades have received more than $10.8 million and Victoria State
Emergency Service units have received more than $2.4 million.

For more information about VESEP or to view the full list of grant recipients, visit emv.vic.gov.au/vesep.

Quotes attributable to Member for Ripon Martha Haylett

“The Victorian Emergency Service Equipment Program provides our hard-working local volunteers with
the equipment and facilities they need to continue their selfless work keeping us safe.”

“Our emergency service volunteers work incredibly hard to protect our community and we are forever
indebted to them. I’m so proud to be a part of a government that has invested more than $123 million in
grants to support the critical work they do.”