A NEW $2 million grants program funding improvements to farm firefighting units was launched on Thursday last week.
Emergency Services Minister Tony Piccolo said the Regional Community Capability Fund was developed as a way to improve farm units, support the Country Fire Service and get Emergency Services Levy funding back to those who pay it.
"Certainly, there was a change in the system of collecting the ESL and that is one of the things which spurred me - how can I get the money directly back to farmers on the ground," he said.
"Other discussions were about Bangor and other fires and how the farm fire units were out there, along with the tragic death (of Andrew Harrison)."
Mr Piccolo said the grant scheme has not been set up to appease people such as CFS volunteers who have declared they will not fight fires on government land.
CFS deputy chief officer Andrew Lawson said the organisation was supportive of the scheme.
"This fund will go a long way to helping the farming community get some safer gear and some safer processes and training and that will help CFS," he said.
Roseworthy farmer Simon Bryant said he was happy to see ESL funding redirected to the community.
"My concern is if it is wasted you've just taken $500,000 out of emergency services for CFS and SES and community improvement so the money needs to be spent correctly and then I'll be happy," he said.
The fund offers grants between $500 and $5000 to organisations, groups and individuals in rural and regional areas including registered farm fire units, CFS brigades, SES units and local councils to buy items used when responding to emergencies.
The public has until July 24 to make an application.
