16 May 2018 Mansfield Courier, Mansfield VIC (General News) VOLUNTEER emergency service groups can now apply for government grants of up to $150,000 to help buy operational equipment and fund minor facility upgrades. Labor Upper House member Jaclyn Symes (MLC, Northern Victoria) urged Northern Victoria groups to apply for the grants with applications now open for the 2018-19 round of Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program funding. This year, the government will be increasing its maximum contribution from $100,000 to $150,000. Ms Symes said more than $13.34 million in government contributions will be available to volunteer organisations in 2018-19, including: s The Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program helps provide our hard-working volunteers with the equipment they need to respond to emergencies and keep Victorians safe, Ms Symes said. We have a number of great volunteer emergency-service groups in our region and it is important they apply for these grants so we can give them the equipment they deserve. VESEP grants can be used to help fund operational equipment, including the purchase of new vehicles, trucks, tankers, watercraft and trailers. Volunteer groups can also put the money towards minor facility improvements. For more information about the VESEP and to find out how to apply for a grant, visit emv. vic.gov.au/vesep.