Volunteers

Becoming a Member

Are you looking for an opportunity to volunteer in an organisation that can provide you with a valuable set of new skills? Then now is the time to find out more about becoming a member of the Berrima District Rescue Squad.

If you are over 18 and enjoy active pursuits, joining the Squad may be just the way you are looking for to serve the Southern Highlands community. As a Squad member you'll have access to training across a broad range of rescue techniques. You'll mix with a great bunch of people and you'll be part of a vital emergency services resource.

To find out more about becoming a Squad member, just call us on 4872 1359.

We are keen for additional people to join our Squad, BUT it is important to understand the nature of the role that you would be undertaking.

Trainee ... On joining the Squad, you would become a Trainee for a period of up to 12 months. During this period you would be trained in all aspects of our road rescue work and join in on rescue jobs under the supervision of one of our Qualified Operators. At the end of your training you would be examined by a person authorised by the NSW State Rescue Board and become a Qualified Rescue Operator.

At this stage you would be able to undertake road and other rescue jobs without supervision.

Later you could undertake additional training to assist in our Vertical Rescue work. This work includes assistance and recovery of people trapped down cliffs, shafts, caves and the like. Not all are keen or have the aptitude for descending over cliffs or climbing into holes in the ground, but our various levels of Vertical Rescue Certification include operators in support roles.

Meetings ... Our Squad has a regular weekly meeting on Tuesday nights from 7:30pm to approximately 9:30pm. These meetings could be training nights, equipment maintenance or general Squad meetings.

Availability ... All of our work is directed by the NSW Police and when accidents occur and people are trapped, we could be called out at any time of the day or night ... we are a 24/7 service to the community. At all times we have 2 Qualified Operators rostered for call outs, but when jobs are called, all members are paged and if available, non-rostered members also attend the accident scenes.

Rewards ... The job is a rewarding one when you know that you have helped someone in a distressing situation, but as outlined above there is a commitment on your time which you should understand.

Our Area ... The Berrima District Rescue Squad covers the whole of the Bowral Police Operational Area and on average we would receive some 90 to 100 accident call outs per year, at an average of 2 per week. This is not a major time commitment, but the squad has to be ready at a moments notice with all of our equipment in top working order.