The squad was successful in the latest round of community grants sponsored by the Bendigo Bank and was therefore able to purchase some much-needed rescue equipment.

The equipment will be used in the new heavy rescue vehicle and major lighting plant, which will now carry the Bendigo Bank insignia and will have the call sign Bendigo Bank Rescue 4.

The equipment the squad purchased included two 34-ton heavy lifting bags, a quick cut saw, a three-ton Tirfor winch/cable and heavy lifting chain.

This, along with all the existing hydraulic, pneumatic, stabilisation and cribbing and lighting, will allow this unit to be a standalone rescue resource that can stay at major incidents without impeding the other vehicles in the squad’s fleet. 

Squad grants manager Gretchen Morgan said it was only by the generosity and funding provided by the likes of the Bendigo Bank that the squad can afford to keep up with the ongoing purchase of this type of equipment.

 “We are committed to the community and will always be looking for any grants that are available to keep the Bega Rescue Squad at the forefront of providing that ‘helping hand, anywhere, anytime’,” she said.