REGION - Member for Ripon, Joe Helper, has welcomed funding for new equipment for Ripon's State Emergency Service and Country Fire Authority volunteers.
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SES units at Stawell, Ararat and Ballarat received funding for new vehicles while CFA units were funded for a medium tanker in Linton, light tankers in Warrenmang and Smeaton, forward control vehicles in Beaufort and Clunes and upgrades to volunteer amenities in Beaufort and Moolort and Joyces Creek.
The funding is provided under the Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program which matches funding raised by organisations on a two for one basis.
"I am pleased that the Government has acknowledged the value of our volunteers and provided this funding to support their own fundraising efforts," Mr Helper said.
"Volunteer emergency services groups provide an enormous contribution to the safety and welfare of our communities in times of fire, flood, and storms. Their value to the community cannot be measured in dollars, but to provide a similar level of service using paid staff would cost more than taxpayers could afford.
"Our emergency service volunteers are an integral and important part of our Victorian way life and deserve the full support of both the Government and people of Victoria. Well done to all our volunteers."