Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Media releases: 23 June 2022
12 Volunteer Emergency Services organisations awarded more than $190,000 in grants
Twelve volunteer emergency services organisations supporting remote, rural and regional communities impacted by the 2019/20 bushfires have been awarded $191,628 in grants for projects that will assist in their disaster recovery efforts and strengthen their emergency response capabilities for future disasters.
Funded through FRRR’s Volunteer Emergency Services Fund (VESF) program, generously supported by a private donor, the funding supports local volunteer emergency services and first-responder organisations in eligible fire-affected communities across New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and Victoria.
The grants range from $2,996 to provide a rural fire service brigade with wet weather personal protection equipment, to $25,000 for equipment to maintain low bushfire fuel loads in a high risk area.
Natalie Egleton, FRRR’s CEO, said that the VESF program was important for dedicating funding to local initiatives that are a priority of volunteer first-responders.
“Programs like this are vital for fire-affected communities to ensure long-term resilience and preparedness. In this round, we saw requests for support to purchase and upgrade emergency equipment, technology and communications systems, as well as wellbeing activities. With funding provided for the purchase of emergency support vehicles, personal protection equipment and maintenance equipment, these organisations are now better placed to save lives.
“While this is the last round of grants through the VESF program, it has allowed us to learn more about what these groups need and respond effectively. It has bolstered the response capacity of many organisations and FRRR have built new connections in communities with whom we look forward to continuing to work with through their long term recovery. FRRR’s Strengthening Rural Communities program continues to offer bushfire recovery grant opportunities,” Ms Egleton said.
Some of the projects funded this round include:
- Burragate Rural Fire Service, NSW – Roof insulation for Burragate fire shed – $23,710 – Boost volunteer vitality and comfort while reducing the carbon footprint of the Burragate Fire brigade through the installation of foam insulation at the fire shed.
- Far South Coast Rural Fire Service, NSW – Fire Shed Friday’s – $20,026 – Boost volunteer vitality and general wellbeing with the provision of Fire Shed Friday activities in four impacted communities.
- The Caves Rural Fire Brigade, QLD – New Storage Shed Project – $19,303 – Enhance operational activities and emergency response times with the provision of a storage shed for The Caves Rural Fire Brigade.
- Mt Lofty Group Operations Support Brigade, SA – Enhancing Mount Lofty CFS Group Operations Brigade Communications for Critical Incidents and Community Preparedness – $23,577 – Upgrade technology and increase access to support volunteer development and learning and organisational operations.
- Ensay Fire Brigade, VIC – An Ultralight Vehicle (ULV) for Tambo Crossing – $21,000 – Support emergency response activities by contributing to the purchase of an emergency response ultra-light vehicle for Tambo Crossing community.
For more information, visit FRRR’s website – https://frrr.org.au/volunteer-emergency-services-fund-grant-program/.
The full list of grant recipients and their projects are below.
| Organisation | Project | Location | Grant | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEW SOUTH WALES | ||||||
| Braunstone Rural Fire Brigade | Communication, IT and Facility Enhancement - Braunstone Rural Fire Brigade Increase technology capability, security, and general maintenance of equipment at the Braunstone Rural Fire Brigade. | Braunstone | $11,325 | |||
| Burragate Rural Fire Service | Roof Insulation for Burragate Fire Shed Boost volunteer vitality and comfort while reducing the carbon footprint of the Burragate Fire brigade with the installation of foam insulation at the fire shed. | Burragate | $23,710 | |||
| Far South Coast NSW Rural Fire Service | Fire Shed Friday's | Eden | $20,026 | |||
| Grafton City Rural Brigade | Lockers for Brigade Members & Gazebo for Community Engagement Support emergency response volunteers with the provision of lockers and a temporary gazebo for the Grafton Rural Fire Brigade. | South Grafton | $8,030 | |||
| Iluka Rural Fire Service | First Response Evacuation Resources- Iluka Support emergency preparedness with the provision of furnishings to meet evacuation needs and appropriate storage facilities for Iluka Fire Brigade. | Iluka | $22,342 | |||
| Johns River Rural Fire Service | Supporting and Protecting Our First Responders Boost the vitality of volunteers through the provision of wet weather personal protection equipment for members of the Johns River RFS. | Johns River | $2,996 | |||
| Wallaby Joe Rural Fire Service | Wallaby Joe Operational Equipment Procurement Boost volunteer vitality with the provision of wet weather gear, helmet torches and emergency flares for use during community emergencies. | Wingham | $7,213 | |||
| QUEENSLAND | ||||||
| Aratula Rural Fires Brigade | Aratula Multi Purpose Vehicle Increase the capacity and capability of local volunteer Fire Brigade to support response during disasters by contributing to the purchase of a support vehicle. | Aratula | $7,106 | |||
| The Caves Rural Fire Brigade Queensland Fire and Emergency Services | New Storage Shed Project Boost operational activities and emergency response times with the provision of a storage shed for The Caves Rural Fire Brigade. | The Caves | $19.303 | |||
| SOUTH AUSTRALIA | ||||||
| Mt Lofty Group Operations Support Brigade Mt Lofty CFS Group | Enhancing Mount Lofty CFS Group Operations Brigade Communications for Critical Incidents and Community Preparedness Upgrade technology and increase access to support volunteer development and learning and organisational operations. | Bridgewater | $23,577 | |||
| VICTORIA | ||||||
| Ensay Fire Brigade Country Fire Authority | An ULT (Ultralight Vehicle) for Tambo Crossing Support emergency response activities by contributing to the purchase of an emergency response Ultra-Light vehicle for Tambo Crossing community. | Ensay / Tambo Crossing | $21,000 | |||
| Old Tallangatta Fire Brigade Country Fire Authority | Maintaining a Low Fuel Load Location for the Old Tallangatta Community Increase volunteer vitality with the provision of a ride on mower, brush cutter and concrete pad to support maintaining a low bushfire fuel load. | Old Tallangatta | $25,000 | |||
