CFA brigades and groups will share in more than $14 million in funding from the Victorian Government as part of the 2021-22 Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP) grants.
VESEP provides funding to emergency services organisations for operational equipment, vehicles, watercraft, trailers and minor facility improvements.
Grants of up to $150,000 are available to volunteer emergency service groups under the annual grants program, with the program providing $2 for every $1 raised by the volunteer groups.
CFA has received $10.4 million in funding under this round across 194 projects.
Funding highlights include:
- The replacement of 17 aged brigade firefighting appliances and 24 Field Command Vehicles
- $1.5 million for modification/upgrades to stations
- Two additional Rehabilitation units to support firefighter health and wellbeing
- Multi-purpose vehicle to support DMO maintenance of brigade owned fleet
- 24 Special Access grants to assist brigades
Milawa Fire Brigade will receive a new light tanker under the program, with Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes announcing the grants in person while visiting Milawa volunteer members this week.
Milawa Brigade Captain Nathan Heywood said the brigade was overwhelmed to hear the good news and looked forward to receiving the new light tanker which would be a huge asset to the brigade.
"Our brigade is often deployed to campaign fires which takes our main truck away from the station for several days. The new dual-cab light tanker will ensure we always have that added protection for our local community," Mr Heywood said.
Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the VESEP grants were an important addition to CFA's overall operational equipment and infrastructure.
"Brigades like Milawa are embedded in their local communities and provide critical services which ensure residents are prepared for fire all year around," Jason said.
"Through VESEP, the Government has invested more than $50 million in CFA over the last six years which has helped provide additional equipment for many brigades across the state."
The approved grant recipients can be viewed on Members Online.