The Lightning Ridge State Emergency Service Unit is accredited as the first response Road Rescue Unit for this area. The unit is responsible for the rescue of trapped and injured drivers and passengers from motor vehicle accidents. This may include using cutting equipment and hydraulic spreaders and rams to gain access and remove patients

The Lightning Ridge Unit currently uses enerpac hand operated hydraulic rescue equipment and cutters as well as a motorised hydraulic combitool, which incorporates a spreader and cutter in the one unit.

Road rescue is not as common in the Lightning Ridge area as it has been, with as few as two or three serious motor vehicle accidents annually. With the array of safety devices such as air bags, ABS braking and crumple zones in new vehicles, actual Rescue skills are being needed less and less. Of course we are still needed to assist Ambulance Officers with the removal of patients and Police Officers with traffic control, but the need for actual physical rescue is reducing. It may be the case that in the future we might not be needed at all! Wouldn't that be great!!! Until then, we are still here if we are needed.