This program supports multi-agency rescue capability development activities in support of State Rescue Board of NSW (SRB) priorities. The program targets Regional Rescue Committees, Local Rescue Committees and SRB member agencies.
Key information
- Status: Open
- Grant amount: Up to $15,000
- Application opened: 13 December 2024
- Application closes: 30 June 2025
Program objective
The 2024-25 Program aims to support continuous improvement activities that develop, improve and sustain rescue capability focused on agency interoperability and multi-agency rescue service delivery.
The program prioritises multi-agency rescue capabilities, including coordination of surge support for rescues.
This program is funded and administered by Premier's Department.
Eligibility
All Local Rescue Committees (LRC), Regional Rescue Committees (RRC) and member agencies of the State Rescue Board are eligible to submit an application and access funding.
All applications submitted under the Program will need to include an exercise proposal that meets the Program Assessment Criteria of the Program Guidelines (PDF 663.28KB).
Applications from an agency will not be considered unless supported by their agency's member on the Rescue Training Advisory Committee.
Applications from a rescue committee will not be considered unless supported by the relevant committee chairperson.
Note that LRCs can submit applications for local activities directly without the support of their RRC.
The assessment panel may seek additional advice from the relevant RRC regarding prioritisation of applications if required.
Eligible activities
Financial support can be used for multi-agency exercises or training activities that meet the outcomes of the Program. An eligible activity must include both of the following in the proposal:
- the primary focus of the activity has to be about rescue capabilities conducted under the State Rescue Policy and related activities
- is one of the following:
- a multi-agency discussion exercise
- a multi-agency functional exercise
- a multi-agency field exercise
- a multi-agency training activity.
Eligible activity costs
Costs for reimbursement have to be aligned to be the objective of the Program including:
- equipment and facility hire
- facilitators
- evaluators
- prop purchase/hire and transportation costs
- development and design costs for resources
- participation costs for local government and non-government organisation (NGO) staff and volunteers.
LRC, RRCs and member agencies of the SRB have to seek value for money in the administration and delivery of the exercises.
They have to apply all relevant home agency internal controls and approvals for the expenditure of the funding and ensure that Government requirements and policies, such as the NSW Government Procurement Policy Framework are adhered to.
Ineligible activity costs
Ineligible activity costs include:
- wages
- travel costs for government agency participation
- venue hire that could be provided in kind (meeting rooms, etc.)
- recovery of already budgeted agency costs.
Eligible locations
Activities must be in NSW but can also have cross border involvement and considerations.
What your application needs to include
Applications need to include:
- a completed application form endorsed by the agency Rescue Training Advisory Committee member or Committee chairperson
- a clear scope of the details of the activity
- an outline of the planned objectives clearly identifying how this aligns with the assessment criteria
- a proposed budget based on quotes or cost estimates, reasonable assumptions, or previous recent experience with similar projects
- details of co-contributions and other in-kind support.
You can download the full guidelines:
Funding amount
Applicants can apply for funding up to $15,000 for a local or regional level exercise. State level exercises are not in the scope of this program.
Opportunities to support state level exercises are not in scope of this program. Opportunities to support state level activities may be identified separately.
The following limits are in place as a guideline for exercise types when submitting an application:
- applications for discussion-based exercises - no more than $2,000 (ex GST)
- applications for functional exercise or training activity - no more than $10,000 (ex GST)
- applications for field-based exercises - no more than $15,000 (ex GST).
Applications for exercises for amounts higher than the above guidelines will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Submitting an application for the maximum amount does not guarantee full funding and applications will be assessed for value for money as part of the assessment criteria.
If the proposed budget exceeds the suggested limits, applicants are encouraged to identify and include co-contributions from other sources to cover the additional costs.
Assessment Criteria
All applications that meet the Eligibility Criteria will then be assessed by the Panel against the Assessment Criteria outlined below:
| Assessment criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Proposal relevance and feasibility | The proposal is consistent with the objectives of the program (there is a clear and detailed description of the activity that is aligned with the program objectives, there is a clear and realistic plan to deliver the rescue exercise). |
| 2. Consideration of interoperability of rescue agencies | The proposal supports an improvement to rescue interoperability (i.e. agencies working collaboratively under existing command structures, includes non-rescue agencies in supporting roles etc). |
| 3. Consideration of improvement to multi-agency rescue service delivery | The proposal includes reasonable consideration of multi-agency service delivery (e.g. composite crewing or surge support). |
4. Identification of long-term project benefits | The proposal identifies benefits beyond the exercise period (proposal indicates that training resources, exercises or collateral will be developed that can be re-used or shared with other regions or agencies). |
5. Budget and value for money | The proposed budget demonstrates value for money (budget is appropriately support by quotes/s, cost estimates, reasonable assumptions or previous experience with similar projects and/or the project includes co-contribution of financial or in-kind support). |
Start the application
The application form can be found in Appendix A of the grant guidelines:
Submit your application to srb@premiersdepartment.nsw.gov.au. An eligible applicant may submit multiple applications however equitable distribution of funding will be a consideration when assessing proposals.
The Premier’s Department may request further clarifying information from eligible applicants or other parties to support its assessment at its discretion.
The Premier’s Department will not provide any support to applicants beyond answering questions and providing clarification related to the program and application process.
After the application is submitted
The final decision maker for the allocation of funding and resolution of disputes is the Executive Director, Emergency Management, Premier’s Department.
There is no appeal mechanism for decisions to approve or not approve funding.
The Premier’s Department will utilise a Panel to support the assessment of applications consisting of:
- Chairperson of the Rescue Training Advisory Committee
- Chairperson of the Policy Advisory Committee
- Director, Capability Development, Premier’s Department
- Manager, Metropolitan Operations, Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit, NSW Police Force
When submitted, applications will be screened for eligibility and an initial assessment undertaken by the SRB Secretariat prior to be provided to panel members for review.
The Panel will make recommendations in writing to the Executive Director, Emergency Management based on the performance of applications against the eligibility and assessment criteria.
Support and contact
State Rescue Board of NSW (SRB) Secretariat: