Loddon Mallee SES manager of regional operations - readiness Mark Cattell said the workshop, which took place at the Bendigo SES headquarters, was part of the organisation’s recruitment strategy.

He said the SES wanted volunteers to have up-to-date road rescue skills and to feel confident in their abilities.

He said when potential volunteers learned of the support and professional development volunteers receive, they may be inspired to join up.

About 35 people attended the workshop, including representatives from Mildura all the way down to Gisborne.

Ford and Holden donated casualty cars to the organisation, which members practiced pulling apart, as they would do in practice if a person was trapped.

One of the cars was a new Holden Commodore, which has been built stronger than older cars and is more difficult to break apart in emergencies.

“The new cars are tougher to cut,” Mr Cattell said. “We have to adapt our techniques.”

In the Loddon Mallee region there are 23 SES units, 18 of which are road rescue accredited.

“During a car accident in a regional area it’s most likely you’ll be rescued by state emergency service volunteers,” Mr Cattell said.