EMERGENCY services volunteer groups in Northern Victoria will share in $12.5 million to purchase much-needed equipment as part of the 2015/16 Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP), Jaclyn Symes (MLC, Northern Victoria has announced. Ms Symes said the VESEP grants would fund operational and safety equipment, such as trucks, tankers, 4WDs, watercraft, trailers and minor facility improvements for volunteer groups. CFA Chiltern received $14,830 for minor works, carpark bitumen sealing and floodlights while the Rutherglen CFA received $55,000 for operational equipment and field command vehicle a Toyota Prado. More than $3million in Labor Government funding would be spent on vital equipment for the CFA, SES, coast guard and search and rescue organisations in the Ovens Valley, Euroa, Shepparton, Benambra, Eildon and Murray Plans regions. Under the program, the Andrews Labor Government contributed $2 for every $1 contributed by local volunteer groups from organisations including the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association (AVCGA), Country Fire Authority (CFA), Life Saving Victoria (LSV), Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES), and other eligible volunteer emergency services groups. These grants will help give our volunteers in Northern Victoria the equipment they need to save lives and protect our community, Ms Symes said. The equipment needed to respond to emergencies is a big cost burden and this funding will go a long way towards reducing pressures on our volunteers. Volunteers are the backbone of our country community who help protect the lives of more than 3.3 million Victorians and deserve our support. The 2015-16 VESEP program offered grants of up to $100,000.