Federal MP Jamie Chaffey for Parkes says new grants for small Western Plains not-for-profit and volunteer organisations can have a huge impact.

A $1,000 iPad to help search and rescue dog teams to find someone missing in a critical situation, or recover someone who has drowned, can make a world of difference.

Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) NSW Search Dogs, who have teams based in Dubbo say they are very thankful recipients of this technology.

The search dogs have been efficient looking for missing people, including in Quambone and Lightning Ridge in recent months.

The most high profile was the finding of a 15-year-old boy in the Macquarie River outside of Dubbo.

VRA search dogs are on call if any other incidents happen across the Western Plains.

VRA Search Dogs Squad Captain, Sue Pritchard, says the simple technology of using an iPad to assist in mapping locations during searches for missing people on land, or in the water (including rivers, dams, or floods), contributes to saving lives and recovering loved ones.

Last year, experienced dog trainers from the United Kingdom and the United States came out to NSW to help train these volunteers and their dogs in Water Search.

These teams are now the first of their kind in Australia, and have been used extensively for searches.

IMAGE: VRA

In the past year, they have responded to searches throughout the state from the Queensland to Victorian borders.

Vital to these responses is the ability to provide the Police with data from GPS dog collars.

"VRA Rescue NSW Search Dogs are incredibly grateful to Jamie Chaffey MP and the Federal Government, for funding the purchase of an iPad, which is vital for both training and operational response," she said.

The iPad is used on searches to upload data from GPS dog collars to show Police the areas where the teams have searched. In some circumstances, the teams can be live-tracked in the field.

During water searches, the teams mark on the iPad where the dogs are alerting to narrow down the search area. GIS layers of environmental data can also be added onto the maps on the iPad to support operational knowledge.

The use of iPads and GPS technology is a gamechanger in providing timely visibility of canine search operations.

Keeping Lightning Ridge voices on air

Also successful in gaining government support is Lightning Ridge’s Community Radio Station Opal 97.8.

Volunteer presenter Vicky said ‘’It helps keep us broadcasting and we have 4 people who go on the air to inform our community.’’

Secretary of Opal FM, Ann Brown said the grant her organisation received would help fund insurances for the popular local group.

‘’We are so pleased with this," she said.

"It's not easy to run a 24-hour station on a small volunteer base but we have been operating for nearly 30 years and the radio is well listened to with its local voices."

Opal-FMs volunteers hold barbeques to raise funds for the station. [IMAGE SUPPLIED]

Other recipients

• Australian Breastfeeding Association Western Region Dubbo Group

• St John Ambulance Australia (NSW)

• VRA Rescue NSW Limited

• Baradine Sub Branch of the Returned and Services League

• Lightning Ridge Community Radio Association Incorporated

• Mendooran P.A.& H Association Inc

• Country Women's Association of New South Wales

• Baradine PA & H Association Inc