The Royalties for Regions Emergency Service Volunteer Fuel Card (ESVFC) will be rolled out in February next year, after a recent announcement of the application process timeline.
The Fuel Card, a Nationals WA election commitment, was announced earlier this year and will provide eligible brigades, groups and units (BGUs) with a $2000 fuel card each year to support their services and volunteers.
Applications open on Monday November 23 and will need to be submitted by Sunday January 10 2016, with the first fuel cards to be sent out in February next year.
Local Member, Terry Redman MLA, said the announcement came just in time for BGUs and residents preparing for the rapidly approaching fire season.
“This announcement is timely given summer is a particularly busy period for many of our regional volunteers.”
“The ESVFC is about providing emergency service volunteers, who often dip into their own pockets to help others, with a bit of support,” Mr Redman said.
He said the parameters around provision of the card would ensure the benefits ended up with volunteers.
“Responsibility for distributing the ESVFC amongst active, registered volunteers of the BGU will fall with the officer-in-charge,” Mr Redman said.
“This ensures the fuel card will be fairly distributed to contributing volunteers.”
The ESVFC is restricted to private or recreational fuel purchases only and must not be used to purchase fuel for an operational vehicle or vessel.