Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP today handed over the keys to a $220,000 emergency response vehicle to Lorne VICSES.
Ms Tierney said the State Government was committed to ensuring the state’s VICSES volunteers have the resources they need to carry out their important work in the community.
“The new Lorne VICSES rescue truck replaces an older truck and will allow unit members to better respond to incidents,” she said.
“The new vehicle will be used mainly to respond to road accidents and storms and features more storage for rescue equipment.
“The Lorne SES Area of Operations stretches around 70 kilometres of coastline, from Kennett River to Airey’s Inlet and inland to the Otway Ranges. The Lorne VICSES Unit is often called on to assist with storm and tree damage.”
Ms Tierney said the 2010-11 State Budget provided VICSES volunteers across Victoria with nearly $11.6 million in resources to ensure they are equipped to deal with emergencies within their local communities well into the future.
“Over the March Labor Day weekend, VICSES volunteers across the state responded to more than 7800 calls for assistance when some of the worst storms in recent times battered regional Victoria and the metropolitan area,” she said.
“On behalf of all Victorians, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank VICSES staff and volunteers for their hard work, commitment and dedication to making Victoria a better and safer place.
“VICSES volunteers are on call 24/7 to assist the community during times of great need and respond to around 19,000 requests for assistance each year.”
Ms Tierney said for the past decade, the State Government has been supporting volunteer emergency services groups access to vital equipment and upgrades.
“These grants are in addition to this year’s emergency services budget aimed at ensuring Victorian communities are better prepared to address future emergencies,” she said.