News

Millions in funding for emergency services

By Bree Harding

Oct 15, 2026

The CFA has received millions of dollars in grants for vehicles, equipment and amenities. Image supplied by CFA.

Several emergency services branches in the Goulburn Valley will receive a share in more than $20 million of funding in this year’s Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program round for equipment, renovations and amenities.

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The VESEP will grant the CFA with $23,170,139 as part of providing support to more than 160 projects in Victoria, including:

$5188 to Benalla Group CFA for operational equipment
$543,000 to Echuca for vehicles and appliances
$76,400 to Euroa CFA for vehicles and appliances
$1590 to Kotupna CFA for volunteer amenities
$543,000 to Longwood for vehicles and appliances
$1175 to Picola for volunteer amenities
$19,455 to Tungamah for operational equipment
$165,000 to Violet Town for vehicles and equipment
$3891 to Wyuna for operational equipment
$9273 to Echuca and Moama Search and Rescue Squad for minor facility improvements
$84,685 to Shepparton Search and Rescue Squad for operational equipment
$133,870.48 to Euroa SES for minor facility improvements
$149,045,.06 to Kyabram SES for vehicles and appliances, minor facility improvements and operational equipment
$3795 to Rushworth SES for operational equipment
$34,600.27 to Seymour SES for minor facility improvements and operational equipment

CFA chief officer Garry Cook said the announcement was a significant boost for Victorian volunteers and brigades.

“VESEP continues to play a critical role in helping our brigades access the equipment, vehicles and facility improvements they need to support their communities,” Mr Cook said.

“Our volunteers dedicate countless hours to training, community education and emergency response, and this funding helps ensure they have the resources required to carry out that work safely and effectively.”

The CFA received $13.26 million for vehicles and appliances, $5.96 million for facility improvements, $341,858 for operational equipment, and $18,872 for volunteer amenities.

Almost 30 new tankers will be delivered as part of this year's funding, along with 25 field command vehicles, and equipment, including quick-fill trailers and thermal imaging cameras.

VESEP is a co-contribution grant program, which enables volunteer emergency service organisations to partner with the Victorian Government to fund essential operational equipment, vehicles and facility upgrades.

The program provides $2 for every $1 of funding raised by brigades in their local communities.

For the full list of 2026-27 VESEP round recipients, visit emv.vic.gov.au