The funding was awarded through the state’s Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program, a co-funding scheme that provides $2 for every $1 raised locally by the unit.
Kyabram SES unit controller Paul Octigan said the upgrades would make a huge difference to the unit’s operations.
At the top of the unit’s upgrade list is replacing its decade-old Ford Ranger operational vehicle with a brand-new four-wheel drive model — a project valued at around $190,000, with the unit contributing $64,000 of its locally raised funds.
The funding will bring modern technology and updated training gear to the station, including new rescue mannequins, designed specifically for modern Road Crash Rescue and first aid training as well as seatbelt cutters, backpacks and tool dump mat kits.
The grant will also fund medium rigid driver licence training for four volunteers, boosting the number of qualified operational drivers and strengthening the team’s overall response capabilities.
The funding milestone comes on the heels of several other recent station improvements.
The station exterior was recently repainted in SES corporate colours, with work also completed on a new outdoor shade structure — funded by last year’s VESEP grant.
With upgraded equipment and modern facilities arriving in the near future, Kyabram SES is looking for new volunteers to join its ranks, particularly to help strengthen its daytime response capability.
Anyone aged 15 and over interested in joining the team can visit ses.vic.gov.au/volunteer or contact the unit at kyabram@ses.vic.gov.au.
