But crews will also be thanking the community who helped them rattle enough tins to secure a 2017 Ford Ranger as part of their fleet of emergency vehicles.

“We were very excited when it arrived and it's been quite busy on the roads this week,” Bendigo SES deputy controller Natalie Stanway said.

“It took us a good four or five tin shakes, so two or two-and-a-half years to get the funds for the Ford.

“We want to give a big pat on the back to community for contributing as much as they did. We are excited to show what their donations have resulted in.”

Volunteer crews rattle the tins twice a year and have been fundraising to raise money for a new medium rescue truck.

“As usual we will be around the Alexandra Fountain or Rosalind Park (depending on the work being done at the fountain),” Ms Stanway said.

“Our medium rescue truck is getting on and needs to be replaced but it is a very high ticket item for us to replace.”

The Bendigo SES crews have been fundraising towards a new truck for about 18 months.

“We are getting close. The vehicles have to be rotated every 10 years and this is getting right up there,” Ms Stanway said.

“Our medium truck is rescue capable, it carries the jaws of life to road crashes and is equipped for flood and storm call-outs and other rescue jobs as well.”

Ms Stanway said the crews also appreciated words of encouragement and thanks from the community while rattling the tins.

“It’s lovely if people can donate but a lot say thanks for helping out and we appreciate that,” she said.

“We are very much hands on and want to get out more in the community in terms of helping them prepare for events to help them cope with emergencies.”

Ms Stanway said the Ford Ranger would serve multiple purposes for the SES.

“When we respond to a road crash, we send our primary rescue truck and a four-wheel drive as back up,” she said.

“It’s important to have bodies on the ground to use the equipment, so the Ford is primarily a people mover.

“But we can also hook it up to our storm response trailer and respond to storm or flooding jobs when required.”