Echuca brigade at today’s VESEP funding announcement
Applications for the 2024-25 round of the Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP) are now open.
The program provides $2 for every $1 of funding raised by a brigade which can be used for life-saving equipment to keep protecting communities.
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said brigades and groups from across the state are encouraged to apply.
“VESEP supports volunteers by providing funding to replace or purchase equipment such as vehicles, trucks, tankers, watercraft, trailers, and can also include minor facility improvements,” Jason said.
There are five categories under which funding is available:
- Volunteer amenities costing less than $5,000
- Minor works, not greater than $150,000
- Operational equipment
- Specialist and Support Vehicles
- Primary Response Appliances (Tankers)
“One of the key focuses of this year’s program will be supporting those brigades that have not previously benefitted under VESEP and may face challenges with fundraising,” Jason said.
In the previous round of funding, CFA received over $10.8 million for 133 successful projects.
Funding was awarded to replace 25 aged brigade firefighting appliances including Maude and Wooriwyrite Fire Brigade’s Medium Tanker.
The 2023-24 round also included funding for a range of replacement Specialist and Support vehicles for brigades including, Murchison, Sunraysia and Eltham.
Brigades/Groups can only apply for one project per funding round as per Emergency Management Victoria guidelines.
Application documents, vehicle flyers, the program guidelines and further information is available on Members Online.
Applications for the 2024-25 funding round close 14 June 2024, with the announcement of successful projects expected in late October 2024.
