There were some taps around the evacuated town, but shops were closed, and fire crews needed more drinking water, Moruya Fire and Rescue captain Mark Gould said.

A dedicated supply would have been welcome as fire crews worked in difficult conditions to save homes, which is why Mr Gould is excited about a new "rehabilitation" van to live at Moruya Fire and Rescue.

The station said the van was available 24/7 for minor or major incidents on the Far South Coast as far as Nowra, Queanbeyan, the Snowy Mountains and down to the Victorian border.

It supplied drinks, hot meals and specially-designed chairs for cooling down, a heater, a covered area to protect volunteers from extreme elements, and a place to sit down and recover from long incidents.

It also had the ability to be set up as a "small incident management location" with supplies to support the incident management team.

The van supported all emergency service agencies, not just firefighters.

Mr Gould said it would be a boon for fire crews.

"It'll be good to have the van there; this will make a great difference," he said.