Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Media releases: 7 December 2021
35 first-responder organisations awarded grants
Thirty-five volunteer emergency services organisations supporting remote, rural and regional communities impacted by the 2019/20 bushfires are sharing $447,323 in grants for projects that will assist in their recovery and strengthen their emergency response capabilities ahead of the 2021/22 bushfire season.
Funded through FRRR’s Volunteer Emergency Services Fund (VESF) program, thanks to a generous private donor, grants range from $2,232 to maintain fire-crew hydration through the installation of a car fridge, to $25,000 to increase access to life saving equipment with the purchase
The VESF supports the ongoing bushfire recovery and preparedness taking place in eligible fire-affected communities across the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria.
Natalie Egleton, FRRR’s CEO, said that these grants will support rural communities and protect the volunteers who are leading the path to recovery.
“Programs like this are crucial to the long-term resilience of these communities. Providing the necessary resources and support for these volunteers will not only bolster the preparedness of these fire-affected areas but will also enable our volunteers to recover, both physically and mentally, as they continue to serve rural Australia in the safest and most effective ways possible.
“In this round, we saw a lot of requests for support in purchasing and upgrading emergency equipment. Whether it’s additional firefighting trailers, community emergency messaging systems or emergency medical equipment, these organisations will be better equipped to save lives,” says Ms Egleton.
Some of the projects funded this round include:
- Wantagong Bushfire Brigade, NSW – Firefighting trailer and PMR Handheld Radio – $16,188 – Increase firefighting capacity with the provision of an additional tanker trailer and a handheld radio.
- Flinders Peak Rural Fire Brigade, QLD – Flinders Peak Station Security & Access Control – $13,682 – Improve facility access and security for local fire and SES organisations by installing a new integrated security and roller door system.
- Kangaroo Island Wildlife Network, SA – Fire Awareness Session and 4WD training – $5,580 – Build capability and equip a local wildlife organisation to operate effectively in a disaster with fire awareness and 4WD training, and new disaster response equipment.
- Wendoree Park Rural Fire Service, VIC – Wendoree Park Rural Fire Station Generator – $19,854 -Increase emergency power supply capability with the installation of an emergency backup generator ensuring continued access to power supply during emergencies.
- St John Ambulance Australia (Vic) Inc, Vic – Mental Health, Crisis and resilience training for volunteers deployed to bushfire events – $14,250 – Boost first responder wellbeing by delivering Mental Health, Crisis and Resilience training for volunteers deployed to bushfire events.
For more information, visit FRRR’s website – https://frrr.org.au/volunteer-emergency-services-fund-grant-program/. The next, and last, round of this program is expected to open in February, but details will be confirmed in the new year.
The full list of grant recipients and their projects are below.
| Organisation | Project | Location | Grant | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEW SOUTH WALES | ||||||
| Bumbalong Valley Progress Association | Bumbalong Community Fire Unit 2021-2022 Strengthen emergency fire response capacity and communication with the provision of smaller mobile water storage solutions, pumps, hoses and radio equipment. | Bumbalong | $19,301 | |||
| Gulgong DC Rural Fire Brigade | Going Digital - A New Age for Gulgong DC RFB Enhance training and communications equipment by upgrading digital equipment to enhance operations. | Gulgong | $25,000 | |||
| Long Flat / Ellenborough Rural Fire Brigade | Kitchen Upgrade Improve kitchen facilities at the local RFS site to provide volunteers and community members with disability access and conditions to support serving safe, healthy food during disaster activations. | Long Flat | $20,503 | |||
| Narara Rural Fire Brigade | Refurbishment After 2019/20 Fires Increase brigade visibility and emergency communication by providing additional lighting towers, torches and fireground radios for use during emergency response activities. | Narara | $15,572 | |||
| RFS - Central Coast District Captain, Central Coast Trail Bike Unit | Enclosed Trail Bike Trailer for Rapid and Efficient Deployment Build organisational capacity with an additional trailer for transporting bikes increasing operational effectiveness. | Kariong | $18,244 | |||
| RFS - Blackheath Mt Victoria Rural Fire Brigade | Operational & Technology Capability Enhancements Enhance emergency response capability to provide volunteers with an appropriately appointed facility including turn out bay roller doors, air conditioning, technology upgrades and hose drying equipment. | Blackheath | $19,641 | |||
| RFS - Mount Fairy Rural Fire Brigade | Station Upgrade & Fit-Out Boost operational capacity and response capability by fitting out the facilities extension including training, kitchen and laundry areas. | Mount Fairy | $23,552 | |||
| St John Ambulance Australia (N.S.W.) | St John Ambulance Northern NSW Defibrillator Project Increase access to life saving equipment by providing Defibrillators for northern NSW communities impacted by Black Summer bushfires. | Armidale, Tamworth, Cessnock & Port Macquarie | $25,000 | |||
| Towamba Rural Fire Brigade | Capital Equipment for Fire Shed Strengthen volunteer vitality by upgrading Fire Brigade facilities to support efficient emergency response activities including attachment of the generator, lockers and training space. | Towamba | $10,500 | |||
| Volunteer Marine Rescue NSW | Marine Rescue Bermagui Base Refurbishment Upgrade the facilities of Marine Rescue Bermagui to improve operations for radio communications, training and power loss risk mitigation. | Bermagui | $24,933 | |||
| Wantagong Bushfire Brigade | Fire Fighting Trailer and PMR Handheld Radio Increase fire fighting capacity with the provision of an additional tanker trailer and a hand held radio. | Wantagong | $16,188 | |||
| Wendoree Park Rural Fire Service | Wendoree Park Rural Fire Station Generator Increase emergency power supply capability with the installation of an emergency backup generator ensuring continued access to power supply during emergencies. | Wendoree Park | $19,854 | |||
| Bega District Volunteer Rescue Group Incorporated | Battery Operated Rescue Tools and Associated Equipment Strengthen organisational capacity by providing battery, charger pack and charger chords for power tools used in emergency response activities. | Bega Valley | $3,482 | |||
| Midcoast Aviation Brigade | Midcoast Aviation Airbase Support Equipment Increase organisational capabilities in the field and support volunteers safety from the sun with the provision of a heavy duty gazebo and all terrain pallet jack. | Taree, Forster, Tuncurry, Wingham & Old Bar | $5,007 | |||
| RFS - Berkeley Vale Rural Fire Brigade Incorporated | Battery Operated Rescue Tools and Associated Equipment Enhance emergency response activities by providing hand held radio's, updated GPS units and a backpack resuscitator enhancing community safety. | Berkeley Vale & Broader Central Coast | $5,822 | |||
| RFS - Bredbo Rural Fire Brigade | Improving First-Aid Capability Increase volunteer skills and knowledge and capacity to respond to local emergencies with training in first aid and CPR and by providing first aid and snake bite kits for the Bredbo Rural Fire Brigade. | Bredbo | $3,860 | |||
| RFS - Buxton Volunteer Fire Brigade | Breathing Apparatus Cleaning Requirements, PPE and First Aid Supplies Strengthen the ability of volunteers to respond to emergencies by purchasing a hot water system and washing machine to wash members breathing apparatus, uniforms and personal protective equipment and providing PPE and first aid kit supplies. | Buxton | $9,150 | |||
| RFS - Colinton Rural Fire Brigade | Purchase of an Automated Emergency Defibrillator (AED) for the Training Room, and Training to Use Strengthen ability and skills to respond to sudden cardiac arrests in the community by purchasing an Automated Emergency Defibrillator for the Brigade training room and provide training for Brigade members and community members in its use. | Colinton | $2,650 | |||
| RFS - Wollondibby Fire Brigade | Wollondibby Bushfire Brigade Emergency Power Supply Ensure continuous power supply for an Emergency Power Supply for the Wollondibby Fire Shed by way of a backup Generator. | Jindabyne & Crackenback | $4,525 | |||
| RFS - Wyee Point Rural Fire Brigade | Community Awareness Notice Board and Online Training Television Boost community emergency messaging and volunteer training capabilities with the provision of a Community Notice Board and television for the Wyee Point RFB. | Wyee Point | $5,000 | |||
| Rylstone Kandos & District Volunteer Search and Rescue Organisation Inc | Defibrillator Upgrade Increase community safety with the provision of defibrillators to be housed at the Rescue Complex. | Rylstone & Kandos | $7,485 | |||
| QUEENSLAND | ||||||
| Flinders Peak Rural Fire Brigade | Flinders Peak Station Security & Access Control Improve facility access and security for local fire and SES organisations by installing a new integrated security and roller door system. | Peak Crossing | $13,862 | |||
| SOUTH AUSTRALIA | ||||||
| Kangaroo Island Wildlife Network | Fire Awareness Session and 4WD Training Build capability and equip a local wildlife organisation to operate effectively in a disaster with fire awareness and 4WD training, and new disaster response equipment. | Kingscote | $5,580 | |||
| Mawson CFS Group | Thermal Imaging Camera for Community Safety Improve firefighting equipment to enhance operational effectiveness and safety through a Thermal imaging camera that assists with thorough management of fires on site, reduces volunteer risk in smoke filled environments. | Clarendon, Happy Valley, Kangarilla & Chandlers Hill | $2,525 | |||
| Mount Barker SES Unit | Emergency Response Equipment Strengthen volunteer emergency response capability by providing additional trauma and emergency medical treatment kits and a lifting bridle to support patient emergency treatment and evacuation. | Mount Barker, Woodside & Brukunga | $3,885 | |||
| VICTORIA | ||||||
| CFA - Violet Town Country Fire Service | Safe Powered Haven for the Violet Town Community Ensure constant power supply during emergency events and mains power outages with the provision of a diesel generator ensuring access to Emergency response facilities during power outages. | Violet Town | $19,592 | |||
| CFA - Nagambie Country Fire Service | Community Emergency Information Enhance community emergency messaging with a LED display board to be placed in the towns main thoroughfare for year round use, particularly during emergency events. | Nagambie | $13,000 | |||
| St John Ambulance Australia (Vic) Inc | Mental Health, Crisis and Resilience Training for Volunteers Deployed to Bushfire Events Boost first responder wellbeing by delivering Mental Health, Crisis and Resilience training for volunteers deployed to bushfire events. | Wodonga, Sale, Bairnsdale & Regional Victorian Divisions | $14,250 | |||
| Upper Murray Innovation Foundation - Thowgla Community Recovery Committee (CRC) | Thowgla Valley Fire Preparedness Project Strengthen emergency response capacity and increase emergency activity communication by providing additional fire fighting trailers and hand held radios. | Thowgla Valley | $22,928 | |||
| Victoria State Emergency Service Authority - Wodonga Unit | Update the Computer Hardware and Accessories at the Wodonga Unit Increase organisational capacity with the provision of upgraded IT equipment, software and accessories. | Wodonga | $19,957 | |||
| Victoria State Emergency Service - Bairnsdale Unit | Enhancing Response Capability Build operational capacity through battery and charger equipment to support portability of battery powered emergency equipment. | Bairnsdale | $25,000 | |||
| Victoria State Emergency Service Yackandandah Unit | Resilient Emergency Services in Yackandandah - Phase 3 Increase consistency of power supply with the provision of a diesel generator ensuring access to back up power during emergency response periods. | Yackandandah | $13,176 | |||
| CFA - Killawarra Country Fire Service | Cool Under Pressure Improve volunteer safety and wellbeing with the installation of a car fridge on the fighting tanker to maintain crew hydration. | Killawarra | $2,232 | |||
| CFA - Ruffy Country Fire Service | Fire Truck Driver Refresher Training Support emergency response safety with the delivery of volunteer driver training for members of the Ruffy Fire Brigade. | Ruffy | $3,600 | |||
| CFA- Upton Hill Country Fire Service | IT for Upton Hill to Boost Volunteerism and Volunteer Retention Boost organisational capacity by providing IT equipment supporting the day to operations and completion of administration functions for volunteers. | Upton Hill | $2,467 | |||
