Monday, 28 August, 2017

Emergency services volunteers across East Gippsland have received a funding boost of nearly $195,000 for equipment, training and facility upgrades to help continue protecting their communities.

As part of the Victorian Government’s $15 million Emergency Services Volunteer Sustainability (ESVS) grants program, a number of Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) units and CFA brigades have been successful in receiving grants to improve the way they operate.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Services Harriet Shing today visited the Bairnsdale VICSES unit to congratulate their members on their successful bid for more than $24,000.

The unit – one of eight in the East Gippsland region to receive a grant – will now be able to upgrade its security system and place brand new signage outside its premises.

The funding will also go towards the purchase of boat operations equipment, as well as a water rescue dummy.

Glenaladale CFA is one of seven local brigades to be awarded an ESVS grant, having received more than $23,000 to extend the brigade’s shed to create a storage area.

A grant of more than $22,000 has also been allocated to the CFA for volunteer support across the region, facilitating more training and development and enhanced community engagement.

The grant will also fund a women’s network program which is designed to encourage and promote gender diversity and sustainable volunteerism.

Quotes attributable to Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Services Harriet Shing

“The State Government values the important work being done by Victoria’s 100,000 emergency management volunteers, who give so much of their time protecting our communities.”

“I am pleased these grants, totalling nearly $195,000, will help our volunteers in East Gippsland to continue the vital work they do.”