By Matthew Sims
The Drouin CFA celebrated a momentous announcement on Thursday 24 October, with the State Government announced a funding contribution of $71,000 via the Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP) towards the brigade’s first Field Command Vehicle (FCV).
Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes visited the Drouin brigade to announce the investment alongside this year’s $15 million grants program, which would support hundreds of emergency services volunteer groups to purchase essential operational equipment, such as vehicles and appliances, as well as undertaking minor facility improvements.
The Drouin brigade fundraised $35,500 towards the new FCV.
Drouin captain Peter Buur said the new four-wheel drive vehicle would allow them to broaden the scope of their response, especially in creating strike teams and to deploy statewide.
“It’s a very versatile piece of equipment,“ he said.
Mr Buur said the Field Command Vehicle would replace the brigade’s existing car.
“The FCV is a more appropriate vehicle that will benefit the Drouin community as well as the wider Baw Baw group,” he said.
“It will be a great asset for the brigade, and we welcome this announcement today.”
The Pakenham SES unit also received a $150,000 grant towards the cost to replace its general rescue truck.
In addition to the VESEP grant, the unit has raised $52,000 from other community grants, and from the support of local businesses and individuals, with a further $100,000 needed to go to reach its target of $300,000.
Other local recipients included:
* Bunyip CFA – Operational Equipment – $9100;
* Cardinia CFA group – Vehicles and Appliances – $62,667;
* Crib Point CFA – Vehicles and Appliances – $71,000;
* Menzies Creek CFA – Volunteer Amenities – $2200;
* San Remo CFA – Minor Facility Improvements – $100,000; and
* Pakenham SES – Vehicles and Appliances – $150,000.
Ms Symes said with the State Government providing $2 for every $1 provided by the local emergency services volunteer group, the program was well supported by local volunteers.
“It’s community ownership in a sense,“ she said.
“It goes up year in, year out.
“We are over-subscribed every time.“
The Drouin brigade was also successful in last year’s VESEP grants and recently purchased a thermal imaging camera for the tanker and is used for fire and in urban environments to search out hotspots to efficiently contain and extinguish fires.
The VESEP funding announced today was spread across 167 projects, including a range of replacement vehicles for brigades including an additional 11 new ultra light tankers, six Bigfills and 18 Field Command Vehicles.
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said VESEP grants helped provide brigades with significant funding for life-saving equipment.
“The contribution from the government towards equipment means brigades like Drouin have a great incentive to fundraise in their communities and apply for a VESEP grant,“ he said.
“There are also Special Access Grants available to provide a further financial boost for brigades that face challenges with fundraising.“
