Local emergency service organisations haul big in VESEP

EMERGENY services throughout Bass Coast and South Gippsland have shared in almost $400k as part of the state government’s Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP) grants.

The grants are provided to local emergency service groups for operational equipment, vehicles and appliances and minor facility improvements.

VESEP funds $2 for every $1 contributed by the relevant organisation.

This year eight local organisations have received funding that totals $338,701.02, including Leongatha CFA, Cape Paterson SLSC, Inverloch SLSC, Venus Bay SLSC, Waratah Beach SLSC, Woolamai Beach SLSC, Foster SES and Inverloch SES.

Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club - $35,8114.67

On Phillip Island, Woolamai Beach will be replacing their IRB Beach and Road Trailer and Side by Side Vehicle.

Spearheaded by Vice President, Brendan Smart, the equipment will ensure WBSLSC meet their OH&S obligations and improve their lifesaving and emergency search and rescue capabilities benefitting the entire Woolamai Beach community.

“We are thrilled to have received this grant from the Victorian Government’s 2022-23 Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP),” Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club President, Jason Close said.

“The $35,814 grant will help the Club fund essential rescue equipment including a new side by side vehicle. This will allow surf life savers to transport equipment to and from the beach and carry out rescues in locations along the beach at Cape Woolamai.”

Venus Bay Surf Life Saving Club - $18,755.33

A new ATV will provide enormous help at Venus Bay.

“Grants are markedly reduced at the moment both in terms of available money in the pot and actual grant opportunities. That being said we are thrilled to be able to purchase a new ATV with this money,” VBSLSC Secretary, Robyn Kaye said.

“It will help us with transport of equipment to beach 1 but perhaps more importantly aids us in keeping an eye on our vast expanse of unpatrolled beach.”

Preparations are underway for the patrol season and nippers programs ahead at Venus Bay.

“Victoria’s drowning statistics over the last few years have been shocking, this has prompted extending patrol hours and days – not an easy thing to enact when most of our active members are not local residents.”

Foster SES - $83,489

New four-wheel drives for Foster.

“The Foster SES unit has two, dual cab four-wheel drives and a medium rigid truck for response capability,” Foster SES Unit Controller, David Bartley said.

“Both the (4WD) vehicles were approaching their 10-year lifespan, so over the last few years, we’ve looked to upgrade both vehicles and we’ve been lucky enough to get grants for both.

“The new design of the vehicles will help us to safely store all of our equipment, and the vehicles themselves have some of the new safety features. It will give us the capability to respond better to the community and the main thing for us is that the body at the back of the tray actually comes designed for our chainsaws and ladders.”

Due to supply issues, the first new vehicle (from the 2021 grant) is scheduled to arrive in early 2023 with the body now built. The second could take an additional 12 months.

Inverloch SES - $80,932

Keep a look out for a new 4WD Toyota Hilux that will replace the old Ute at Inverloch SES.

“It means we will be able to store our chainsaws in the back of it, rather than having to put them in as we need them each time,” Inverloch SES Unit controller, Neil Warren, said.

“At the moment we’ve got a tray Ute, obviously we cannot leave things in the back because they might get pinched. By having this vehicle, we can lock things away and have everything ready, so when we respond we can just jump in and off we go.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve had a new replacement vehicle so we are quite excited about getting the grant and being able to upgrade our fleet; and it will look a lot better to than the old Ute we’ve got!”

Leongatha CFA - $62,334

Bair Street will come to life with a new FCV for Leongatha Fire Brigade.

“We have a Forward Command Vehicle (FCV) – it’s predominately used as a Strike Team Leaders Vehicle and a Radio Comms vehicle at major jobs – the funding will go towards replacing the FCV, as well as for gas flare off and Hazmat things,” Leongatha Fire Brigade Captain Mick Wight said.

The new FCV will also continue to transport the Quick Fill Pump for the Hazmat specialised brigade.

In addition to the Quick Fill Pump trailer and FCV, Leongatha also have a Hazmat truck, Heavy Tanker and Medium Pumper.

“We will be looking to replace our brigade owned Hazmat truck in the next 4-5 years, as it is nearly 20 years old and is due for replacement.

“We’re very grateful – it’s a pretty big thing for the brigade to get, so we’re very grateful.

“We also always looking for new members and will be running a recruitment drive next year.”