The unit’s interim rescue vehicle was replaced in September with a purpose built and equipped Medium Rescue Vehicle.

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It contains all that is needed for road crash and flood rescues, such as battery-operated tools to cut and prise open doors, stabilisation equipment for accident scenes, a flood rescue kit, and some storm damage equipment.

“[It] has already seen three callouts since it was first obtained,” Stroud SES Deputy Commander Greg Snape told the News Of The Area.

“[These] included the Karuah highway crash on 25 October, where the unit worked well with NSW Police, Tea Gardens Fire and Rescue NSW 471, and the ambulance service, to extricate the driver before they were taken to hospital.

“Two further motor vehicle accident (MVA) callouts were also carried out, one near Wootton on the M1 and another on the Lakes Way near the M1.”

Last month there was also an aborted search in Pindimar, which began after a distressed woman appeared at a house.

Police were called but a subsequent search by PolAir, drones, dogs, and SES contingents sent from Stroud, Nabiac and Forster-Tuncurry, was called off due to the absence of an official missing-persons report.

Early October saw Stroud SES present at the Stroud Show on 5-7 October, where the new truck was shown off.

Even Sonic and Spiderman could not resist getting hands-on with the new tools.

The Stroud unit was also happy to receive enquiries from potential new members.

“There are so many different skills you can learn and we can certainly give you all the training you need to become competent in one or many roles we perform,” Greg explained.

“Thanks also to Chris, a Deputy Unit Commander at Ashfield/Leichhardt Unit for assisting us and visiting the area.”

By Thomas O’KEEFE