A NUMBER of first-responder organisations have been awarded grants ahead of the bushfire season.
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 Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal's Volunteer Emergency Services Fund 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 of a defibrillator.
The VESF supports the ongoing bushfire recovery and preparedness taking place in eligible fire-affected communities across the ACT, NSW, Qld, SA, Tas and Vic.
Natalie Egleton, FRRR's chief executive officer, said that these grants will support rural communities and protect the volunteers who are leading the path to recovery.
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"Programs like this are crucial to the long-term resilience of these communities," she said.
"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."
Some of the projects funded this round include:
- Kangaroo Island Wildlife Network, SA - Fire Awareness Session and 4WD training - $5580 - 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.
- Mawson CFS Group, SA - Thermal Imaging Camera for Community Safety - $2525 - 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.
- Mount Barker SES Unit, SA - Emergency Response Equipment - $3885 - 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.
- 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.
- 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.
The full list of grant recipients and their projects are listed on the FRRR website.
The next, and last, round of this program is expected to open in February, but details will be confirmed in the new year.
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Kiara Stacey
Journalist for Stock Journal. Kiara was in classified sales at Stock Journal before joining the editorial team in 2021. Kiara completed a Bachelor of Communication (journalism) at Deakin University the year prior.
Journalist for Stock Journal. Kiara was in classified sales at Stock Journal before joining the editorial team in 2021. Kiara completed a Bachelor of Communication (journalism) at Deakin University the year prior.
