For nearly 70 years, volunteers have cut people out of car crashes, rescued people from the river and even saved a few animals that have wandered into harm’s way.

The organisation receives little funding from government, meaning trained rescue volunteers also spend their time selling raffle tickets, cooking sausages at Bunnings and applying for grants.

However, with a pair of boats more than 40 years old nearing the end of their useful service, the squad will need the community it helps to return the favour.

Squad treasurer Martin Gregory said the two big-ticket items on the shopping list were a new rescue vehicle and a new boat.

“We’ve got a really good primary truck, but we need a rapid response four-wheel-drive to enhance our ability,” Mr Gregory said.

“Our boats are alright too but two of them are getting near their use-by date – you wouldn’t expect a 1970s ambulance to turn up at a rescue scene.”

Outside of the major centres of Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong, volunteers play a vital role in rescue work across the state. In Wagga, the rescue squad has the unenviable task of responding to car crashes and assisting emergency services with other incidents.

“For every hour we spend at an incident, there’s 20 hours of training behind it,” Mr Gregory said.

“We need to be ready for emergency – cars, trains, planes, domestic and industrial, even animals – any situation someone can’t get out of.

“We’re very lucky to have a core group of people prepared to give up their time at a moment’s notice.”

Mayor Greg Conkey said he was embarrassed the rescue squad had to go “cap in hand” to the community for life saving gear.

“I’m sure over the years a large number of people would be thankful for their services,” Cr Conkey said.

“It doesn’t bear thinking about how we’d operate as a community if we didn’t have their services.

“The rescue squad is an essential part of the community and they need our support.”

To pay for the new boat, the squad has launched a crowdfunding campaign through GoFundMe. To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/help-wagga-rescue-squad-stay-afloat.