Shepparton Search and Rescue squad members training on donated vehicles.
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Shepparton Search and Rescue is calling on the community to donate unwanted vehicles for the group’s training exercises.
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As the support agency for road crash rescues in the Shepparton region, the team members use donated cars for skill maintenance and new-member training so they can safely access damaged vehicles during incident calls.
Shepparton Search and Rescue president Nacole Standfield said it was crucial for members to be able to get inside vehicles after a crash.
“It’s really, really important that we gain access to those vehicles,” she said.
“Someone may be injured, or in the case of a fatality, we want to be able to return that person to their family.”
According to Ms Standfield, the team responds to between 70 and 100 crash calls per year.
Search and rescue team members use donated vehicles to learn safe glass management, and practise using spreaders and cutters to get inside damaged cars.
Shepparton Search and Rescue squad members training on donated vehicles.
Photo by
Supplied
Ms Standfield said any vehicles that had all the exterior doors, glass and wheels would be appreciated.
She said cars did not need to run, have a motor or interior seats to be useful.
The team received enough cars during its 2024 call-out to the community to last roughly a year.
While there are still a few left, Ms Standfield said stock was running low, and membership was growing, so even more practice vehicles were needed than previously.
Anyone interested in donating a car or learning more can contact the local group via email at admin@sheppartonrescue.com.au
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