Base radio operator Gary Mallard said the VRA is working with two-way radios that are up to 30-years-old.

The group responds to road accidents and helps to free people from wrecked vehicles and assists police with rescues.

Mr Mallard said he is worried the equipment will fail as the group heads into the peak tourist season.

“We’re holding them together with bits of ticky tacky and that sort of stuff,” he said.

“But we’re approaching a crisis point.

“A recent example was my base radio simply refused to stop transmitting.”

Rod Roderick has over 42 years of experience in search and rescue, including more than 30 years as VRA Region 10 commander.

The Bega VRA rescue squad is part of the region which extends from North Wollongong down to the Victorian border.

Within Region 10, there are air, land and sea rescue units.

Bega’s role is as a primary response unit which carries out road rescue and recovery, general land rescue, vertical rescue and searches.

Mr Roderick said since joining Bega’s VRA a few years ago he has noticed the squad has been operating with radio communication equipment which is mostly 20 to 30-years-old.

“This is antiqued in today’s communication world and although the squad has done exceptionally well to ‘patch up’ and keep this system working for the past 20 years, it is time to update to the 21st Century,” he said.

“This update will cost around $25,000 to $30,000.

“We hold fundraisers a lot to raise funds for the equipment and day-to-day running costs.”

Mr Roderick said the VRA played an important role in society.

“This is a primary response unit and we use the equipment when required for operational and training purposes,” he said.

“This squad does the same as anywhere else around NSW and their qualifications are State Rescue Board accredited which is equal to any paid professionals.

“An example where we need high communication is when undertaking a cliff rescue and the equipment they’ve had to use such an instance could create a situation which is not desirable.

“Some of the current radio equipment could in fact become dangerous in certain circumstances.”

The task of trying to obtain the funds to upgrade the squad’s radios has been taken on by Mr Mallard.

Mr Roderick said the local community should be very proud of the way they have continued to support the VRA squad.

“They should also be proud of the dedicated unpaid professional men and women from throughout the district who make up the Bega rescue squad operators,” he said.