A new partnership between insurers and Fire and Rescue NSW gives written-off vehicles a second life in helping train crews for complex road crash rescues.

Supported by the Insurance Council of Australia, the program provides ongoing access to vehicles that are no longer roadworthy but valuable for specialist training.

Allianz, NRMA Insurance, QBE, and Suncorp have donated almost 100 vehicles to launch the program.

The ICA says training with modern vehicles enables crews to adapt techniques, manage emerging hazards, make critical decisions under pressure and build practical skills to save lives.

Last year, FRNSW attended 14,075 vehicle accidents, including 4794 involving injuries and/or rescues.

Road crash rescue and general land rescue training courses for firefighters use almost 400 vehicles each year, and FRNSW is encouraging more insurers to join the initiative.

“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 NSW roads safer,” ICA CEO Andrew Hall said.

“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.”

FRNSW deputy commissioner Paul McGuiggan says the training could make all the difference during time-critical rescues.

“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.

“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.”

See below for a video of rescue training in progress.