Volunteers from the NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) Alpine Search and Rescue Unit completed an advanced snowmobile training course in Perisher over the weekend.
NSW SES South Eastern Zone Commander Colin Malone says that the training helps NSW SES volunteers assist Police in searching for lost or injured persons in the alps.
“Weather in the alps can rapidly change from bright sunshine to a raging blizzard with freezing temperatures, gale force winds and heavy snow within a few hours,” says Mr Malone.
“It is important that people are reached as quickly as possible in an emergency. Training like this ensures that our volunteers have the skills that they need to assist the NSW Police with searches in this terrain.”
The NSW SES Alpine Search and Rescue Unit are trained to use snowmobiles as well as snow shoes. NSW SES Alpine Search and Rescue Unit trainer Daniel Philippa says that that snowmobiles are the most efficient way of moving over snow-covered ground.
“Given the current snow conditions we have had a few opportunities to recover from getting bogged in steep terrain,” says Mr Philippa.
