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Grants and awards | August 31, 2020

Volunteer Emergency Service Equipment Grants available

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy is encouraging local emergency service organisations to apply for funding through the 2020-21 Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP).

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. 

Grants can be used to help purchase new vehicles, trucks, tankers and trailers, other operational equipment and facility improvements.

Volunteer groups can also put the money towards minor facility improvements.  

Groups can apply for a grant up to a maximum of $150,000 excluding GST, with the VESEP providing $2 for every $1 of funding contributed by the local volunteer group.

“Our emergency services volunteers do a wonderful job in protecting the community and these grants will help ensure that when they are performing their roles, they have the equipment and facilities they need to do the job,” Ms Kealy said.

Last year grants totalling $861,909 were shared amongst 19 Country Fire Authority Brigades and State Emergency Services units in Lowan, with Dunkeld, Laharum, Merino CFA brigades and the Edenhope SES sharing in $678,868 for new vehicles and appliances.

Other CFA brigades whose applications were successful included Branxholme, Byaduk, Casterton, Glenthompson, Goroke, Green Lake, Horsham, Jung, Natimuk, Neuarpurr and Rainbow.

“I encourage all our fantastic CFA brigades and SES units to consider applying for funding to ensure they have access to the best possible equipment and facilities to assist them in supporting our local communities in their time of need,” Ms Kealy said.

For more information about how to apply for a grant through the program visit www.emv.vic.gov.au/vesep.