Fourteen members of Moruya and Batemans Bay NSW State Emergency Service (SES) Units participated in a land-search assessment on Saturday, July 12 in Moruya.

Crews braved wintry weather to prove their worth to rescue assessor Greg Wilkinson and logistics assessor Colin Fitton, both from Baulkham Hills. 

The forensic search for the “missing” toddler became a crime scene, with members walking shoulder-to-shoulder and resorting to their hands and knees to find evidence.

Their role was to protect, preserve and record items found at the scene.

Each item was left in situ, with an identifying flag.

The second scenario was a search for two missing bushwalkers on heavily forested and steep tracks.

SES spokeswoman Danielle Brice said a wild card was thrown in: an SES member also went “missing” during the search.

“The team had to retrace their steps, find the missing member and return to the search for one of the bushwalkers, who was calling out for help,” Mrs Brice said.

Gail Brown, of the Moruya unit, and Janine Rodgers, of the Batemans Bay unit, led the teams and helped in the assessments.

“Both are training to become assessors in their field of expertise,” Mrs Brice said.

“Assessor training involves attending a two-day assessor delivery course at Illawarra South region in Wollongong.

“This is then followed by gathering evidence for two units of competency.

“Gail Brown has completed land search operations and is working towards accreditation in Road Crash Rescue (RCR).”

Ms Brown said RCR desperately needed more skilled volunteers.

“There are no assessors in this area for RCR, so there is a real need in this unit,” she said.

Ms Brown has served with her unit for 10 years.

Ms Rodgers joined her unit more than two years ago.

She has qualified in first aid and now adds Land Search Operations to her portfolio. 

“I feel proud being able to help my fellow members upskilling and ensuring their knowledge is current and pertinent to what they are doing,” Ms Rodgers said.

Mrs Brice thanked Moruya unit controller Peter Collins and trainer David Sledge, who put the group through its paces over a six-week period, followed by a night exercise as a practical scenario.

“The aim of the Land Search Operations course is to provide members with the skills and knowledge to search for and locate missing persons and/or objects as a member of a team,” Mr Collins said.

Visit www.ses.nsw.gov.au for information on volunteering.