The Cessnock District Rescue Squad was formed
in 1976 with the aim of supplying specialized rescue equipment and personal
trained in rescue techniques, to co-operate and assist the Police, Ambulance
and Fire Brigade in the Cessnock/ Kurri Kurri and surrounding districts
in the event of road, rail, aircraft, industrial, domestic and natural
emergencies.
The Cessnock District Rescue Squad can be
called into action 24 hours a day, and at the scene of an emergency, work
under the control of the Senior Officer present of the service in charge.
All rescue operations are performed entirely free of any charge to the
rescued persons or service requesting the assistance.
The squad trains one night a week and all members
must hold a current First Aid Certificate as well as be conversant with
every piece of rescue equipment and operation procedure of the squad.
On the 20th April 1979 the squad's first motor
vehicle accident at Aberdare (3 deceased) was a horrific introduction to
the squad, but it was a major learning exercise for members.
During 1985 it was found that the squad’s Chevrolet rescue unit was becoming overloaded due to the extra rescue equipment being purchased by the squad. A fundraising drive was launched to raise the $40,000 required to purchase a larger vehicle being a Hino FD 176 Cab/ Chassis. This Truck was commissioned on the 1st March 1988 by the Minster of Police and Emergency Services, the Hon. George Paciullo M.P. As well as this amount an additional $30,000 was raised by means of squad fundraising, proceeds of local Police charity golf day, donations from local service clubs and business houses to purchase additional rescue equipment for the new vehicle. With the completion of the new truck housed at Cessnock the squad’s Chevrolet rescue unit was transferred to Kurri Kurri to provide a better service to the people of this area. Shortly after this move, the Cessnock City Council allocated land on the corner of Brunker and Allworth Streets, Kurri Kurri for the purpose of building a suitable base to house the Chev.
The commencement of the construction would not have been possible without the support of the communities of Cessnock and Kurri Kurri with special support from the Kurri Kurri Service Clubs and business houses.
In 1988, a review of all emergency services
in N.S.W., by Major General Gray was carried out (The Gray Report). The
outcome of his report recommended that the Cessnock District Rescue Squad
hold the primary rescue response in the Cessnock and Kurri Kurri areas
as well as dual primary response with the Singleton Ambulance Rescue Squad
for the Putty Road.
During 1988 the local Blue Light Disco
Committee raised enough money to purchase a “Finger Rescue Kit” for the
squad.
In 1988 Life Memberships were awarded
to Stephen Wile, Marie Swan and Trevor Milgate.
June 1989, the squad came face to face
with the A.I.D.S. virus, after a serious accident at Gillieston Heights.
All members were tested and preventative measures were taken and introduced
to our routine and training.
December 1989 saw the squad assist with
the Newcastle earthquake recovery. Several days and nights were spent assisting
other emergency services on most of the devastation areas including the
Newcastle Workers Club. The squad received a plaque for Meritorious Service
for such assistance.
On Australia Day 1990 the squad was awarded an Australia Day Award for Achievement and was presented to the squad on Australia Day.
In early 1990 the building at Kurri Kurri was completed and our second rescue Vehicle was updated to a Hino TD 166 Cab/ Chassis designed the same as the first truck.
A major fundraising effort was launched to help with the construction costs of the second vehicle. A fundraising idea by the local newspaper (The Advertiser) saw the squad benefit an $11,000, which helped considerably.
Both the building and the vehicle were opened on the 24th November 1990 by Rear Admiral Peter Sinclair, Governor of N.S.W.
The Vintage Country Club Resort donated $25,000 to allow the squad to purchase an additional set of “Jaws of Life” hydraulic equipment for this vehicle.
In 1990 Life Membership was awarded to Robert Johnson and Steve Cameron by the Mayor Maree Callaghan.
February 1992 the squad purchased Australian Lightweight Vertical Rescue Equipment for rescues involving retrieval from heights and depths ect.
21st May 1993 the squad was accreditation was received from the State Rescue Emergency Services Board (Later the State Rescue Board).
During the 1994 bush fire emergency, the squad
was given the task of co-ordinating welfare requirements for fire fighters
and assisting staff. A total of 4’112 meals were supplied over the emergency
by us.
Mid 1994 extensions were underway to
the base at Kurri Kurri. To enable the 4x4 vehicle to be housed, up until
then the 4x4 has been left uncovered.
Early 1995 saw the need to update one
of the 4x4 vehicles, so a changeover was underway.
Also the extensions to the Kurri Kurri
base were finished allowing both of the vehicles to be housed undercover
Shop counter VRA helmets were introduced
to selected businesses throughout the Cessnock/Kurri district to assist
with fundraising.
During 1995 the squad was advised that it
would have to change radio frequency in line with the changes throughout
NSW by the Dept. of Communication and Transport. A quote was obtained and
our squad alone it would cost $45,000 to update to the new frequency. So
a major fundraising drive was needed.
By 1996 our radios, handheld and pagers
were updated through endless fundraising.
1996 sees Cessnock District Rescue Squad
10 year affiliation with the New South Wales Volunteer Rescue Association.
5th May 2001 Rescue 1 is commissioned
On 25th of May 2001 3 of the new members were given a introduction
to the rescue squad by being the first on the scene to a electrocution
in front of the rescue base. The members whilst under the supervision of
a senior member performed CPR on two of the victims unfortunately one of
the men died at hospital.
26th June 2001 the members and the squad were given an Ambulance Commendation
for saving the life of a man