New VRA uniform not only looks good but increases members' capacity

The two-piece get-up replaces the white overalls of old which emulate the early days of the association and its role supporting police rescue.

State-of-the-art helmets with integrated safety glasses add to highly reflective and all-weather green jackets and pants.

The move from cotton overalls to a uniform that is fire resistant means the Albury and Border Rescue Squad can attend more incidents.

Rescue operator Ben Moyle welcomed the move.

"If the RFS needs a hand at a fireground, we can then be in the fireground area, because we've got the right PPE for it," he said.

In the 10 years he has been part of the VRA, Mr Moyle has had the same set of overalls.

"This uniform is more friendly with other operations, like vertical rescues," he said.

"For me, I've got more movement - the overalls were quite tight."

Border volunteers have already had one call-out in their new uniforms since receiving them, deputy captain John Osmond said. "First impressions were they were well thought-out, and that it was really decent quality," he said.

"These have got integrated knee pads and shoulder pads, and those are probably the hardest working parts of our body.

"The pockets have zips in them, so everything is more secure."

The organisation's first common uniforms were launched by the Police and Emergency Services Minister David Elliott on April 29.

It is part of an additional $18.8 million investment in the VRA over four years equating to $6 million annually until 2023.

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The first VRA General Land Rescue Squad was formed in 1950 to assist police during flooding in Southern NSW.

In 1969, Albury, Dubbo, Narrandera and Wagga Wagga rescue squads met and formed the Volunteer Rescue Association.

Mr Osmond said his squad had attracted new members recently.

"In the last 12 months, we've had a heap of new people come through - it's been good," he said.