The volunteers were instructed by two trainers from Kiama, deputy controller Mal Anderson and assistant instructor Anna Habeck.

BDVRS founding member Roger Gough said the training was similar to Police and Army exercises,

“Things have to fall into place when a situation arises so there is no panic and people can perform their job in a professional manner,” Mr Gough said.

Volunteers dealt with a range of practical scenarios created with donated cars from local tow truck companies and motor wreckers.

The “Jaws of Life” hydraulic cutters and spreaders were just some of the tools used to penetrate the steel frames on cars that were upside down or sideways,which needed to be stabilized, and others in various states of wreckage.

The training results from the merger of the Wingecarribee SES Unit and the BDVRS, which has seen the recruits for this year rapidly increase, as the BDVRS would normally expect one or two volunteers, not twelve.

All volunteers are on call 24/7 and juggle this with full time jobs and families.

“If there’s a call out at 2am we go, doesn’t matter what time day or night,” media officer Alan Hunt said.

Volunteer Dominique Meredith is one of the 12 training for her road crash and vertical rescue approval while also working at John Terry Catholic School as a high school teacher during the week.

“It’s about giving something back to the community, learning new skills and meeting new people,” she said.

Similarly, Anthony Kasoulis is a full time builder who has worked in the SES for the past nine years and has attended thousands of jobs in his career.

“The last storm in the area generated 40 jobs alone in a week and a half,” he said.

As Mr Hunt stated, their work and training throughout the year, with a session each Tuesday night is all predicated on helping the community.

“Community is the whole key. The whole focus is to work together for the community,” he said.

The twelve volunteers will be assessed in December.