Beechworth SES, with $100,000 for a building extension, and Benalla SES, with $100,000 for a new rescue truck, were among the big winners from the Victorian government grants.

The scheme involves $2 of funding for every $1 contributed by the units themselves.

Harrietville fire brigade will also extend its station using $47,654 from the grants.

Captain Gary Weston said the brigade had two trucks squeezed into a small shed, so creating a new area for its slip-on vehicle would free up space for firefighters to work.

The funding will also cover a separate female change area for about six of the station’s volunteers.

“It’ll certainly be a great addition to the brigade and the community,” Mr Weston said.

“I would like to see it all done within six months.”

Wodonga West captain Ross Coyle was looking forward to $7667 to help purchase a new thermal imaging camera after the brigade moves into its new station.

“It will be a great contribution to the brigade, it will enable us to find hot spots in buildings,” he said.

The profile of Wodonga West had changed since the brigade was launched more than a decade ago.

Firefighters responded to more urban call-outs than bushfires, often needing a thermal imaging camera.

Other winners included Bethanga, Benalla and Buffalo River fire brigades, which will receive $98,667 for new ultra-light tankers, and Wodonga’s St Johns Ambulance unit, which was approved for $42,676 towards a custom Toyota HiAce first-aid vehicle.