CALLING ALL ALL VOLUNTEERS TO APPLY FOR EMERGENCY SAFETY GRANTS
Philip Ruddock MP, Federal Member for Berowra and Attorney-General today launched the guidelines of the Local Grants Scheme and the National Volunteer Support Fund, that are now open for two new Australian Government funding programs to enhance community safety and emergency preparedness.
“The Australian Government had delivered on its $49 million commitment to boost funding opportunities for local councils and volunteers involved in community emergency management,” Mr Ruddock said.
More than 500,000 Australians are involved in volunteering their services in some form of emergency management. Of those, more than 350,000 are directly involved in emergency first response.
Mr Ruddock said the Working Together to Manage Emergencies policy initiative, announced during the federal election, was aimed at boosting and developing self-reliance at both the community and local government level.
"Australia is a nation prone to a range of natural hazards, including fire, flood, heatwave, severe storm, cyclone and earthquake, and in more recent times the threat to Australia from terrorism has increased and must now be considered along with other emergencies and disasters," Mr Ruddock said.
"As a nation, we have a proud and long-held tradition of volunteering. In no area is this more apparent than in the emergency services sector where year after year the heroic deeds of members of frontline organisations are demonstrated in times of national emergency.
"We also have a network of local government bodies which stand ready to all they can to improve the capacity of their communities to prepare for, and deal with the consequences of major disasters," Philip Ruddock said.
Mr Ruddock said the Government was keen to marshal this commitment and enthusiasm to protecting and securing our communities and encouraged eligible organisations to submit an application for funding.
The initiative will be managed by the recently formed Community Development Branch in Emergency Management Australia (EMA), a Division of the Attorney-General's Department.
EMA provides national leadership in the development of emergency management measures to reduce risk to communities and manage the consequences of disasters.
More information, including eligibility guidelines and application forms, can be found on the EMA website at www.ema.gov.au/communitydevelopment or by telephone on (02) 6256 4733.