26/05/2026
VRA Rescue NSW – Narooma plays a critical, hands‑on emergency role for the Narooma community. In short, they are the local volunteer rescue squad that turns up when things go wrong — on the road, on the land, on steep terrain, on farms, and during community emergencies.
What they do for Narooma.
Road Crash Rescue
They are accredited primary responders for vehicle accidents, using specialist tools to free trapped patients and support NSW Ambulance.
General Land & Vertical Rescue
They handle rescues in bushland, steep terrain, and difficult-to-access areas — including searches for missing people and technical rope rescues.
Support to NSW Ambulance & Police
Narooma squad regularly assists with medical emergencies, cutting or moving materials, gaining access to properties, and supporting helicopter evacuations.
Example: They helped NSW Ambulance by cutting reinforcement mesh for helicopter transport during a farm incident.
Community emergency response
They respond 24/7 to incidents such as flood-related tasks, animal rescues, and other unusual emergencies (e.g., helping free livestock or assisting elderly residents).
Search & Rescue operations
Their new specialist rescue vehicle has already been used for land searches, such as locating a missing woman on Mt Gulaga.
Community presence & education
They participate in local events (e.g., ANZAC Day), run training nights, and maintain a visible community role that builds safety awareness.
Why they matter to Narooma
They provide fast, local emergency capability in a regional area where response times can otherwise be long.
They bring highly trained volunteers with specialist equipment that many small towns don’t have.
They operate around the clock, unpaid, and fill critical gaps between police, fire, and ambulance services.
They strengthen community resilience — from rescue operations to public events and safety support.
How to Join VRA Rescue NSW – Narooma
The short version:
If you’re over 18, reasonably fit, and willing to train regularly, you can join. No prior experience needed — they train you from scratch.
What joining actually involves
Contact the Narooma squad via their page or the VRA Rescue NSW website.
Attend a training night (usually weekly) to meet the team and see what they do.
Fill out membership paperwork and complete background checks.
Begin as a probationary member while you learn the basics.
Progress to accredited rescue operator once you complete formal training.
Time commitment
1 training night per week
Occasional weekend courses
Being available for callouts when you can (volunteers aren’t expected to be on-call 24/7)
What Training Looks Like
Training is structured, practical, and nationally recognised. You learn:
Road Crash Rescue
Using hydraulic tools, stabilising vehicles, patient access, scene safety.
General Land Rescue
Bush searches, stretcher carries, navigation, low-angle rope work.
Vertical Rescue
Rope systems, belays, lowering/raising patients, cliff or steep terrain work.
First Aid & Trauma Care
Advanced first aid, trauma management, supporting NSW Ambulance.
Emergency driving & radio communications
Operating rescue vehicles, using emergency comms correctly.
Scenario-based drills
Simulated car crashes, missing-person searches, farm accidents, storm damage.
Training is progressive — you don’t get thrown into the deep end.
How VRA Narooma Works With Other Emergency Services
Narooma is a small coastal community, so agencies work closely together.
NSW Ambulance
VRA provides extrication, access, and technical rescue support.
Ambulance handles patient care; VRA makes the scene safe and gets the patient out.
NSW Police
Police coordinate searches, VRA provides trained search teams.
VRA assists with evidence access, missing persons, and difficult terrain.
NSW SES
SES handles storms/floods; VRA handles rescue.
They often work side-by-side during severe weather or large incidents.
NSW RFS
RFS handles fire; VRA supports with rescue, traffic control, and logistics.
Joint operations happen during bushfires, especially for remote rescues.
Helicopter & Air Ambulance
VRA assists with landing zones, patient transfers, and technical access.
Why joining matters in a town like Narooma.
You’re providing life-saving capability in a regional area.
You become part of a tight-knit, highly skilled volunteer team.
You gain nationally recognised rescue qualifications.
You directly strengthen the safety and resilience of your own community.
“Is VRA Right for Me?” — Quick Self‑Check
You’re a great fit for VRA Rescue NSW – Narooma if you can say yes to most of these:
Personal qualities
I like helping people in real, practical ways
I stay calm under pressure
I enjoy hands‑on, physical tasks
I’m okay with unpredictable situations
I work well in a team
Lifestyle fit
I can commit to one training night per week
I can attend occasional weekend courses
I can respond to callouts when I’m available (not 24/7)
Physical readiness
I can lift, carry, kneel, climb, and work outdoors
I’m willing to improve my fitness if needed
Mindset
I’m willing to learn new skills
I’m okay with seeing confronting situations
I want to contribute to my local community in a meaningful way
If most of these feel like you, you’d fit in well.
Step‑by‑Step Joining Plan (Narooma‑specific)
This is the simplest path to becoming a volunteer rescuer.
1. Reach out
Send a message to VRA Rescue NSW – Narooma on Facebook or via the VRA website.
Just say something like:
“Hi, I’m interested in joining the Narooma squad. When’s the next training night?”
2. Visit a training night
You’ll meet the team, see the gear, and get a feel for the culture.
Most people know within 10 minutes if it “clicks”.
3. Complete membership paperwork
This includes:
Volunteer application
ID check
Police check
Basic medical declaration
4. Start as a probationary member
You’ll learn the fundamentals:
Safety
Radio use
Basic rescue techniques
First aid
How callouts work
No pressure, no expectations — you learn at your own pace.
5. Begin formal training modules
These are nationally recognised units covering:
Road Crash Rescue
General Land Rescue
Vertical Rescue
First Aid
Navigation
Scene management
You’ll train with Narooma and sometimes with nearby squads.
6. Become an accredited rescue operator
Once you’re signed off, you can respond to a wider range of incidents.
This usually takes a few months depending on your availability.
7. Continue developing
You can specialise in:
Vertical rescue
Search & rescue
Flood rescue (with SES)
Emergency driving
Team leadership
What you get out of it
A tight‑knit team who genuinely has each other’s backs
Skills that are rare, respected, and nationally recognised
The ability to directly help people in your own community
A sense of purpose that’s hard to find elsewhere
Real confidence in emergencies.
So come along and join us. Monday evenings at 5.30, Golf Lane (right behind the Marine Rescue Base)
