The VRA Changes its name

[JAFO]

Hi all,

This was brought up on Tech Rescue, that the VRA NSW Inc has undergone a Name Change to 'NSW Rescue Services'.

Noticed one of the Penrith VRA Vehicles are now marked up as the NSW Rescue Service.

[cartman]

I thought Penrith VRA folded - somebody reported that a couple of months ago


Grant

[BerryV]

Interesting website ( *Note: This site is run by the NSW Fire Brigade Employees' Union )

http://www.rescuepenrith.com/

[system_tech]

I thought Penrith VRA folded - somebody reported that a couple of months ago
Grant

I think you will find that Penrith VRA voluntarily ceased their rescue accreditation but the squad is still operational as a "Major Incident Support Unit" similar to South Coast VRA who have been a Major Incident Support Unit for some time. SC VRA are not rescue accredited although they may have been some while ago.

[JAFO]

I thought Penrith VRA folded - somebody reported that a couple of months ago
Grant

I think you will find that Penrith VRA voluntarily ceased their rescue accreditation but the squad is still operational as a "Major Incident Support Unit" similar to South Coast VRA who have been a Major Incident Support Unit for some time. SC VRA are not rescue accredited although they may have been some while ago.

Mal is Correct,

Penrith VRA only gave up their Primary Rescue Accreditation, so are no longer registered as a General Land Rescue Unit.

They intend to become a "Major Incident Support Unit" similar to South Coast VRA and have started trying to recruit new members for this role. Interesting, is that the local SES are used in this role already, so don’t know how the VRA will go getting called out by Police to undertake such role.

[Farsouthscanner]

I think you will find that Penrith VRA voluntarily ceased their rescue accreditation but the squad is still operational as a "Major Incident Support Unit" similar to South Coast VRA who have been a Major Incident Support Unit for some time. SC VRA are not rescue accredited although they may have been some while ago.

Hi SystemTech
How south and how far back are you thinking regarding the South Coast VRA. The Bega VRA do MVA rescues, they did about a year ago at least.
Also just for everyones info as far as I know the Bega VRA has 2 rescue trucks, thats just from the callsigns I have heard. They may have other vehicles aswell.
Mark

[JAFO]

I think you will find that Penrith VRA voluntarily ceased their rescue accreditation but the squad is still operational as a "Major Incident Support Unit" similar to South Coast VRA who have been a Major Incident Support Unit for some time. SC VRA are not rescue accredited although they may have been some while ago.

Hi SystemTech
How south and how far back are you thinking regarding the South Coast VRA. The Bega VRA do MVA rescues, they did about a year ago at least.
Also just for everyones info as far as I know the Bega VRA has 2 rescue trucks, thats just from the callsigns I have heard. They may have other vehicles aswell.
Mark

Mark,

I think Mal is referring to the Wollongong Based – South Cost VRA Squad, not Bega which is a separate VRA Squad altogether.

The Wollongong VRA Squad, which its correct name is “South Coast VRA”, did do Road Rescue leading up to 1990’s when the newly formed State Rescue Board introduced the Rescue Accreditation System across NSW. South Coast VRA lost their rescue role to the police and Ambulance in the Illawarra area.

Today the South Coast VRA Squad is still very active and operates as a Major Incident Support Unit in the Illawarra area, providing assistance to both the Police and SES in search & rescue operations and other duties as needed.

Edit: South Coast VRA Website added: http://www.freewebs.com/southcoastrescuesquad/

[Frank Costanza]

I thought Penrith VRA folded - somebody reported that a couple of months ago
Grant

I think you will find that Penrith VRA voluntarily ceased their rescue accreditation but the squad is still operational as a "Major Incident Support Unit" similar to South Coast VRA who have been a Major Incident Support Unit for some time. SC VRA are not rescue accredited although they may have been some while ago.

Mal is Correct,

Penrith VRA only gave up their Primary Rescue Accreditation, so are no longer registered as a General Land Rescue Unit.

They intend to become a "Major Incident Support Unit" similar to South Coast VRA and have started trying to recruit new members for this role. Interesting, is that the local SES are used in this role already, so don’t know how the VRA will go getting called out by Police to undertake such role.

Grant

I imagine the Police will still use them alongside the SES for storm and tempest work, as they have traditionally done in the past. Failing that, the SES will probably request their assistance anyway, as history shows they usually need the extra hands on deck when something does go down in their area...

Cheers
Frank

[system_tech]

Hi SystemTech
How south and how far back are you thinking regarding the South Coast VRA. The Bega VRA do MVA rescues, they did about a year ago at least.
Also just for everyones info as far as I know the Bega VRA has 2 rescue trucks, thats just from the callsigns I have heard. They may have other vehicles aswell.
Mark

I think Grant (JAFO) has answered well, and I wasn't sure how long since SC VRA did actual rescues. It seems they didn't get accredited after the beginning of the SERM Act and the SRB. I know how it goes, I was in Campbelltown SES at the time, which was doing Road Rescue at request of police prior to the start of accreditation. Our accreditation was not "automatic" and although we did end up "accredited" I think it only lasted a few years until the until retired itself from general land rescue. Notably at the time the Camden Ambulance Rescue gained accreditation, and Police Rescue at Green Valley (Rescue 22) did not.

[Farsouthscanner]

Hi Grant and Mal.
Thanks for clearing that up for me. Its good to see the South Coast squad fitting in with other organisations, hopfully Penrith will be able to do the same, I am sure around the cities there will be always something for them to do.
Mark