Wednesday, 9 September 2026
Written-off vehicles will be given a second life in preparing firefighters for complex road crash rescues in a new partnership between Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) and major insurers.
Supported by the Insurance Council of Australia, the program will provide FRNSW ongoing access to vehicles that are no longer roadworthy but are valuable for specialist training.
Participating insurers, Allianz, NRMA Insurance, QBE, and Suncorp have donated almost 100 wrecked vehicles to launch the program.
Training with modern vehicles in realistic scenarios allows crews to adapt their techniques, manage emerging hazards, make critical decisions under pressure and build the practical skills needed to save lives.
Through the initiative, firefighters are trained to stabilise damaged vehicles, access trapped occupants and manage complex crashes.
In 2025, FRNSW attended 14,075 vehicle accidents, including 4,794 involving injuries and/or rescues.
Road crash rescue and general land rescue training courses for firefighters use almost 400 vehicles each year. The partnership is already helping FRNSW meet this ongoing need, while establishing a coordinated, ongoing supply of vehicles.
FRNSW is encouraging more insurers to join the initiative.
Quotes attributable to Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Services, Charishma Kaliyanda:
“These written-off vehicles will get a second life through a program that demonstrates how government and industry can work together to serve the community.
“By supporting realistic rescue training, this will help firefighters strengthen the skills they need when responding to serious crashes across NSW and help save lives.”
Quotes attributable to FRNSW Deputy Commissioner, Paul McGuiggan:
“Salvage vehicles allow us to simulate a wide range of realistic rescue scenarios and prepare firefighters for the complex conditions they face at road crashes.
“That experience during recruit and refresher training can make a difference during time-critical rescues.
“As vehicle design and technology continue to evolve, firefighters must be prepared for increasingly complex rescue environments. This program will strengthen our road crash rescue capability and help protect motorists when they need us most.”
Quotes attributable to ICA CEO Andrew Hall:
“Insurers understand the devastating impact of serious road crashes, and supporting firefighters to prepare for these complex rescues is a practical way we can help make New South Wales roads safer.”
“Vehicles that can no longer be safely returned to the road can still serve the community by giving emergency services crews realistic vehicles and scenarios to train in.
“We’re grateful to firefighters whose skill and professionalism helps save lives on our roads every day.
“This partnership is a practical example of insurers working with government and emergency services to put salvage vehicles to good use and support better outcomes when crashes happen.”
Media note – b-roll of FRNSW crews using specialist equipment during road crash rescue training is available here: https://vimeo.com/1220687367/3ebf944e72
