The Colleambally VRA rescue squad have received huge support from local business and groups in the form of grants.

The grants have been put towards purchasing much needed equipment for the rescue team.

Senior Deputy Captain of the rescue squad Paul Muir said they are continuously trying to keep up with everchaing advancements on rescue technology.

“With the new members and a bit of a change in the guard, we’re just upgrading our current infrastructure with some newer vehicles and newer equipment,” Mr Muir said.

“The rescue world changes fairly quickly with their technology so we’re just trying to keep up.

“It’s been very good to have the community on board because we’re here to help them and what comes around, goes around.”

The squad has also been supported by business including the Bendigo Bank Community Enterprise Foundation, the Community Bank Coleambally, GrainCorp and Transgrid who have supplied significant funding towards the replacement of key rescue tools, including a cutter, spreader and ram, as well as the purchase of a 4WD rescue vehicle.

Several other smaller grants have also been awarded from companies like Select Harvests, Neoen Coleambally Solar Farm, Murrumbidgee Council and Spark Renewables.

These grants have been used to purchase tools, safety and training equipment as well as mobile phone repeaters for communications during emergencies.

The squad also fundraise throughout the year through supporting community events in whatever way they can.

“We run raffles but we also help at community events such as doing first aid for our local motor cross bike days or organising parking for the local vintage club when they have their vintage day,” Mr Muir said.

“The local production company did a kids play late last year and we did all the backstage work for them and all the money they raised went to us.”

The VRA have undergone changes in the last twelve months which has seen them go from individual rescue squads to one company across the state.

This change means that the groups are now eligible to some financial support from the government which has been a help on top of the support from the community.

The squad have also recently applied for the Essential Energy Community Choices Program and people can vote through the squads facebook.

The squad currently have a total of 12 volunteer, 5 accredited General Land Rescue members and 3 trainees but are always happy to have more.

“We’re always on the look out for more especially with people on holidays or away ill, its always great to have a few extra operators up your sleeve,” Mr Muir said.

“We get along really well with Leeton and Narrandera Rescue squads so we share the workload if we have to and we’re always quick to call each other if needed.”

For anyone interested in becoming a part of the squad can contact their local squad (Leeton, Narrandera or Colleambally).