4th September 2026
ERT Clair hosted the Dapto training course with local volunteer Leanne Cummins.
Working together for wildlife
Over the past few months, WIRES Emergency Response Team (ERT) and Volunteer Emergency Response Team (VERT) members have been coordinating with multiple Rural Fire Service (RFS) brigades and State Emergency Service (SES) units to deliver practical wildlife training to help responders safely identify, handle and assist wildlife they encounter in the field.
Whilst the primary focus for emergency services is on protecting people, homes and communities; in many incidents including bushfires, storms, floods and fallen trees, wildlife is often injured, displaced or trapped - and responders are amongst the first on the scene.
Bringing wildlife knowledge to the front line
Our training provided them with an introduction to WIRES and the different teams involved in wildlife emergency response.
Participants learnt practical skills and knowledge covering:
Importantly, these weren't simply classroom presentations.
Each training session included a component that consisted of realistic rescue scenarios tailored to the organisation taking part. Using realistic mock animals, participants worked through situations they could encounter during emergency operations — allowing them to practise safe handling techniques in a controlled environment.
The sessions finished with a tour of WIRES wildlife ambulances, giving participants an opportunity to see some of the equipment and resources used by our wildlife rescuers as well as obtain the answers to any questions they had.
This combination of theory, practical training and discussion helps responders understand not only what to do when they encounter wildlife, but why particular approaches are important for both animal and human safety.
Building stronger connections with emergency services
The relationship between wildlife rescue organisations and emergency services is particularly important during major incidents.
RFS and SES volunteers can be operating in challenging environments, often dealing with multiple hazards and competing priorities. Having an understanding of wildlife handling means responders are better equipped to recognise when an animal needs assistance, avoid unnecessary risks and know when to involve specialist wildlife rescuers.
For WIRES, these training sessions were also an opportunity to build relationships and improve communication to understand each other's roles, so emergency services and wildlife rescuers can work more effectively together when an incident occurs.
Training across greater Sydney
The response to the program has been fantastic, with over 200 RFS and SES volunteers taking part across greater Sydney; from Beacon Hill and North Sydney to Dapto and Jamberoo.
With sessions continuing to reach new units and brigades, the value of this program is reflected in the feedback from participants.
Luke Rocavert, an SES volunteer with North Sydney SES, described the training as both informative and highly relevant to emergency responders:
“The WIRES wildlife handling training was an informative and well-presented display of safe procedures and handling techniques for SES emergency responders. The WIRES trainers were able to adapt their presentation to be relatable for SES volunteers whilst providing informative examples from WIRES-specific work and work with the RFS.
It is an informative program worth undertaking for all SES operators to improve and inform safety and rescue procedures in the field.”
Collaborating for better outcomes for wildlife
Australia's native wildlife faces many challenges during emergencies. An injured kangaroo beside a road, a possum displaced from its home, a bird trapped by storm damage or a marsupial joey discovered without its mother can all present situations that require specialist knowledge.
For emergency responders, knowing how to safely assess the situation, minimise stress to the animal and contact the appropriate wildlife professionals can make an enormous difference.
WIRES is proud to work alongside the RFS and SES to build that knowledge and strengthen collaboration between wildlife rescuers and emergency services.
Every trained responder represents another person in the community who knows what to do when wildlife needs help.