Member for Northern Victoria Region, Candy Broad today announced applications are now open for the new $3.76 million 2009 round of the Community Safety Emergency Support Program (CSESP) and urged local emergency services groups to apply.
The CSESP grants program is open to all CFA brigades, VICSES Units, Life Saving Victoria Clubs, Australian Volunteer Coastguard (AVCG) flotillas and Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) teams.
Ms Broad said local CFA brigades could apply for the Brumby Labor Government’s special allocation for slip-on units, which have evolved into new ultra-light tankers.
“Last year 16 new slip-on units were funded through our special allocation and with the recent bushfires showing once again how valuable these are, this initiative has been extended for a further year,” Ms Broad said.
“These ultra-light tankers are able to access difficult areas and have a 400-litre water capacity - they are designed to get to a fire quickly and suppress it.”
Ms Broad said under this special program, priority would be given towards funding for those brigades with the greatest operational need.
“The matched fund was a crucial part of the Brumby Labor Government’s support for local volunteer emergency services groups and assisted them in purchasing additional equipment over and above their core equipment,” Ms Broad said.
Ms Broad said our local emergency services volunteers do an outstanding job, often under very difficult conditions.
“The events of Black Saturday and the effort over the entire fire season again demonstrated the extraordinary courage, self-sacrifice, compassion and determination of our exceptional emergency services volunteers.
“Our volunteers are on call to their communities 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days per year and providing them with additional equipment is just one way the Government is supporting them in their vital work.”
Ms Broad said since the CSESP began in 2000, it has provided more than $21 million in funding to volunteer emergency services for additional equipment over and above the Brumby Government’s record resourcing of Victoria’s emergency services.
“From ultra-light tankers for the CFA and navigational aids for the Coast Guard; to new boats for Life Saving clubs and state-of-the-art trucks for VICSES, the CSESP strengthens and improves our vital emergency services,” Ms Broad said.
“The combined budgets of Victoria’s emergency service agencies have more than doubled since 1999 – from $254 million to $585 million. This has allowed these agencies provide their brigades and units with the essential equipment needed for them to do their job.”
Ms Broad said she was looking forward to a high number of applications for the 2009/2010 program, from all sectors of the eligible volunteer emergency services.
“This is a great opportunity to increase the capacity of our volunteer emergency services and I urge all brigades, units, flotillas and clubs to apply.
“Together we are making our world-class emergency services even stronger.”
To apply, local groups should contact their agency’s CSESP representative.