Up to $150,000 is available from ESVS grants to support emergency volunteers with their facilities and equipment upgrades which they need in keeping the community safe.
Emergency Services Volunteer Sustainability (ESVS) Grants
The Emergency Services Volunteer Sustainability (ESVS) Grants Program has been established to ensure emergency management volunteers can continue to deliver their crucial work to keep Victorians safe.
Background
Victoria is served by more than 100,000 emergency management volunteers who play a critical role in keeping our communities safe. They do this across the state on each and every day of the year. The Victorian Government is committed to supporting the significant contribution of emergency management volunteers through much needed investment in equipment and facilities.
Objective
The Emergency Services Volunteer Sustainability Grants Program will work to ensure emergency management volunteers can continue their crucial work in supporting their communities.
Funding
Grants of up to $50,000 will be available to eligible clubs, units or organisations
Grants of up to $150,000 will also be available for multi-agency or partnership proposals, and larger initiatives that support volunteerism or local communities – in either awareness, preparedness, response, recovery or resilience.
Eligible Projects
Grants are available for:
- Community engagement and education projects
- Operational equipment such as generators, hoses, chainsaws, thermal imaging cameras, rescue and safety equipment and trailers
- Off-the-shelf vehicles
- Minor facility improvements/maintenance
- Training and Development including program fees, travel, facility hire etc.
- Other miscellaneous requirements that volunteers believe they need, to assist in the sustainability of their club or unit, and that will enhance services to the community.
Eligible Applicants
The ESVS Grants Program is open to volunteers from:
- Victoria State Emergency Service
- Volunteer Marine Search and Rescue units
- Life Saving Victoria
- Other emergency management organisations identified in the Emergency Management Manual Victoria
A co-contribution is not required to apply for funding through this program, however a co-contribution will be considered where applicable.
Timing
Applications close 22 August 2018.
Media Release
Emergency management volunteers are sharing in $10 million of grants, as the Andrews Labor Government continues to fund the training, equipment and facilities needed to keep communities safe.
Minister for Emergency Services James Merlino announced today that applications are open for the 2018-19 Emergency Services Volunteer Sustainability grants program.
The program, which is funded through the Victorian Budget 2018-19, is open to volunteers from:
- Victoria State Emergency Service
- Life Saving Victoria
- volunteer Marine Search and Rescue units
- other emergency management organisations identified in the Emergency Management Manual Victoria.
The CFA has its own government-funded grants program for volunteer firefighters, with more than half of the $10 million Enhancing Volunteerism Grants Program already allocated to brigades.
Mr Merlino said ESVS grants were available across a range of criteria, including training and development, community engagement, operational equipment, education and minor facilities upgrades.
Applications can be made by an individual volunteer, unit or club, or an agency/organisation. Grants of up to $50,000 are available.
The ESVS announcement follows on the from the government’s launch earlier this year of the $13.34 million Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP).
More Information
