Firefighting unit grants expecting high take up for second round

The grants were first introduced last year by the state government, with the 2022-23 state budget having committed $2 million across four years to the initiative.

Through the reinstated Regional Capability Community Fund, farmers and farming businesses will receive grants to reimburse successful applications between $200 to $3000 (GST inclusive) to purchase eligible equipment and support the safe use of FFUs.

These grants will allow for the purchase of smaller items such as first aid kits and UHF radios, but also a significant portion of a new FFU, with personal protective equipment that meets Country Fire Service standards to be included in approved items.

In round one of the Regional Capability Community Fund grant program, 1247 applications were received, across 48 local council areas, for a total equipment value of more than $4.5 million.

Of these, 276 applicants were succesful, with an abundance of equipment either funded in part or full, including 78 FFUs, 428 items of personal protective clothing, 134 UHF/CB radios, 40 first aid kits, 34 amber rotating beacons, 11 fire blankets, nine water pumps, three water tanks and four hose and/or branches.

After communication with communities and key stakeholders, the eligibility for the second round of grants has been expanded to rural landholders and community group, with only one application per person or business/entity to be eligible, like the first round.

Unsuccessful round one applicants or new applicants will be given priority for the round two grants, while RCCF grant applicants have been encouraged to buy equipment from their local region to support the local community and economy.

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The items eligible for reimbursement must be new and fit for purpose and include, a tank with a minimum water capacity of 400 litres, water pump, hose and/or branch, fire fighting unit, fire rated personal protective clothing, masks, first aid kits, fire blankets, UHF/CB radios, amber rotating beacon and heat shields.

Emergency Services Minister Joe Szakacs said despite the successful first round of applications, the second round should be an improved version.

"The results of our engagement can be seen in the additions of landowners and community groups," he said.

Mr Szakacs said he encouraged farmers to apply for a grant, with the resources expected to be beneficial as the temperatures rise.

"The Malinauskas government was pleased to see the uptake of last year's offering and encourage all farmers who missed out or did not apply last year to try for funding this year as you'll be prioritised," he said.

"After last year's La Nina summer, that saw milder and wetter weather, we will see a return to hotter and dryer conditions this year.

"These grants are critical in equipping regional communities."

Grain Producers SA chief executive officer Brad Perry said there would be a high demand for the grants, as people looked to equip themselves to help fight fires.

"It's a really positive measure, we've just got to make sure that the funding gets out to as many grain producers as possible," he said.

"We'll continue to work with the government to see if there's other opportunities to increase the amount of funding that's going into fire protection equipment for farmers.

"I think that's a really good conservation that we'll continue to have after we see this program, with really strong uptake."

Mr Perry said while the funding dedicated to combating fires was positive, he was concerned the scope for the grant was too broad.

"We know these programs are quite popular, it means that we could be spreading the funding a thinner across farmers and the farming community," he said.

"It's important to equip as many people as you can in the community who are potentially going to fight a fire.

"We've just got to make sure the grants aren't spread too thin and we can reach as many grain producers as we can, because there the people who are often first on seen at fires."

Applications for the second round of grants will close on August 4 at 5pm, with all applicants expected to be informed on the outcomes by September 11.

All applications will be assessed based on value for money, geographic location risk, and existing capability, with successful applicants required to ensure their FFU is registered with the CFS to receive reimbursement.