Local controller Ray Richards said students worked on many aspects of rescues including roof rescues and treating injured patients on a stretcher.

"We've found the kids learn a lot quicker with hands-on experience," he said.

"There's a few more girls this year which is something different.

"They all realise that assisting the community is the best part of working for the SES and as a volunteer.

"The training included working in storm situations, floods and tsunamis. Safety is the main focus of the training exercise," he said.

Mr Richards said he is proud Port Macquarie is the current NSW and Australian Disaster and Rescue champions and said there weren't a lot of jobs that "you can pat yourself on the back and say gee I've done a good job".

"We're always looking to recruit future members," he added.

Student Caitlyn Dewberry said she enjoyed the day and being carried on a stretcher was "the best part of the day".

"We don't normally get to experience what it's like," she said. "It was really beneficial because instead of listening to how to do things and being shown how to do things we were actually able to do the practical side which was more appealing."

She said she felt the most important part of the day was learning how to properly lift a person on a stretcher who had suffered serious injuries.

"You normally don't think about things like that but if you lift someone the wrong way you can do more damage. It's all teamwork, but there's one person that has to direct and tell people what to do," she said.

Students all agreed they didn't realise how time consuming volunteering could be, but they would like to stay involved after school if they could find the time.

paul.jobber@fairfaxmedia.com.au