Wednesday, 25 July 2018

Emergency management volunteers are sharing in $10 million of grants, as the Andrews Labor Government continues to fund the training, equipment and facilities needed to keep communities safe.

Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Harriet Shing, announced today that applications are open for the 2018-19 Emergency Services Volunteer Sustainability grants program in Gippsland.

The program, which is funded through the Victorian Budget 2018-19, is open to volunteers from:

• Victoria State Emergency Service
• Life Saving Victoria
• Volunteer Marine Search and Rescue units
• Other emergency management organisations identified in the Emergency Management Manual Victoria.Ms Shing said ESVS grants were available across a range of criteria, including training and development, community engagement, operational equipment, education and minor facilities upgrades.The ESVS announcement follows on the from the government’s launch earlier this year of the $13.34 million Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP).
• For more information on how to apply for an ESVS grant, visit emv.vic.gov.au/esvsgrants
• Applications can be made by an individual volunteer, unit or club, or an agency/organisation. Grants of up to $50,000 are available. Applications close on Wednesday 22 August.
• The CFA has its own government-funded grants program for volunteer firefighters, with more than half of the $10 million Enhancing Volunteerism Grants Program already allocated to brigades.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

“Our emergency services organisations and their members make extraordinary and often life-saving differences in their communities and I would encourage local brigades, clubs, groups and units to apply for these grants to help them in their invaluable work.”

“We are determined to provide volunteers with the training, support, equipment and facilities they need, which is why we’ve funded the $10 million Emergency Services Volunteer Sustainability grants program.”