DUBBO Rescue Squad's ability to respond to an emergency has not been compromised by the theft of $5000 worth of equipment, but it has come at a cost to the community.
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High-powered lights, generators and fire extinguishers were taken from a trailer at the squad's Cobra Street premises some time between Saturday morning and Sunday morning.
The cost to replace the equipment is estimated to be close to $5000, money which has been donated to the service by the community.
"The most disappointing thing about this is that we've paid for these items through the generosity of the Dubbo people, whether it's fundraisers or just donations," Captain David Chenhall said.
"We use the community-funded equipment to serve the community when there's terrible things going on and then you have people who come along and do something like this.
"We had put some money aside to renovate our premises and upgrade it because we have grown so much over the years, and now that money will go toward replacing the gear and upgrading our security."
Despite missing some equipment, Captain Chenhall is adamant the rescue squad can still help in times of emergency.
"We have four trucks fitted out - a response vehicle, a rapid response vehicle and two heavy rescue vehicles - and they weren't touched," he said.
"It's an inconvenience to have this stuff taken but we have enough equipment that we can still attend emergencies and help in any way.
"The lighting that was taken is pretty heavy duty and long-lasting. We had it at the recent truck crash involving the sheep near Dubbo.
"That lighting allows the other emergency crews to work through the night at any scene, whether it's a crash or a search or anything similar."
Inspector Mark Dixon from the Orana Local Area Command confirmed investigations into the incident are continuing.
He has urged anyone with information to come forward and either contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or the Dubbo station directly on 6883 1599.
"The VRA offer a service to police and other emergency services, and they do this for the community," Inspector Dixon said.
"They do this on an ongoing, voluntary basis so for someone to come along and take some of their equipment not only impacts on them as a group but it has the potential to impact on anyone in the local community that may need their assistance in an emergency.
"Our enquiries into the matter are continuing and if anyone was in the area at the time of the offence or knows anything, we certainly ask that they contact us."