We will always support our emergency services, as we know the incredible work they do in our community every day to keep us safe.
Emergency services across the Bellarine, including the CFA, SES, Surf Life Saving Clubs and Marine Search and Rescue Units, have received significant funding over recent years to support their ongoing service to the local community.
Victorian Emergency Services Equipment Program:
The 2025-26 Victorian Emergency Services Equipment Program delivered more than $30 million in grants, the largest ever, across Victoria. In the Bellarine this included:
- Wallington CFA received funding for a new field command vehicle.
- Ocean Grove CFA received funding for a BA support vehicle.
- Ocean Grove SLSC received funding for equipment including rescue tubes, rescue boards and automatic defibrillators.
- Barwon Heads 13th Beach SLSC received funding for a beach patrol trailer, IRB Thundercat Gen 3 and two 25 HP IRB motors fully equipped including fuel cells.
- Point Lonsdale SLSC received funding to purchase a new IRB craft for surf rescue equipment and ten new surf rescue boards.
- Coast Watch Radio and Marine Rescue Squad Incorporated received funding for an Isuzu D-Max 4x4 Crew Cab Ute SX 3.0L Auto.
The 2024-25 Victorian Emergency Services Equipment Program grant recipients shared in more than $15 million to purchase new equipment and support community safety. On the Bellarine this included:
- CFA Drysdale received funding for a new Field Command Vehicle.
- CFA Mannerim received funding to go towards new equipment.
- Barwon Heads 13th Beach SLSC received funding for an IRB Thundercat Inflatable and an IRB motor.
- Ocean Grove SLSC received funding to support a new vehicle, two rescue board and four rescue tubes.
The 2023-24 Victorian Emergency Services Equipment Program grant recipients shared in almost $15 million to enhance response capabilities. On the Bellarine this included:
- CFA Portarlington received funding towards a state-of-the-art Field Command Vehicle.
- CFA Mannerim received funding to upgrade their IT equipment.
- SES Bellarine received funding to replace their vehicle.
- Barwon Heads 13th Beach SLSC received funding for a Isuzu Dmaz 4wd vehicle, outboard rescue boat motor and resuscitation training manikins.
- Ocean Grove SLSC received funding for two Gen III Thundercuts, galvanised boat trailer and rescue tubes and boards.
New Queenscliff Marine Search and Rescue Vessel
In 2025, the Queenscliff Coast Guard officially received a new search and rescue vessel to assist Marine Search and Rescue volunteers who will be able to use the vessel to respond quickly if trouble strikes. The boat is purpose designed and built to support search and rescue responses to vessels in distress, assist and tow damaged or disabled boats, help with shore-based recovery operations, and transport sick and injured people.
It is a 12 metre-long, 4-metre-wide offshore search and rescue vessel, designed to operate up to 60 nautical miles from shore in harsh conditions such as those found in Port Phillip Heads and Bass Strait. Featuring state-of-the-art navigation and operating systems, including GPS, forward-looking infrared radar, and radio direction-finding equipment, it is equipped to help find missing people quickly and accurately. Capable of operating night and day, the boat will also support the Country Fire Authority in marine firefighting, as well as supporting police operations.
Portable Radios to Improve Communication for Marine Search and Rescue Units
The State Government has invested more than $1.3 million to deliver 130 portable radios for volunteers and to install radios on 22 vessels and in eight vehicles to improve the Marine Search and Rescue Units (MSAR) communication on the water. The radios are connected to the Victorian Radio Network, giving MSAR units real-time communication with the Water Police Rescue Coordination Centre.
