Narrabri SES unit called to flood rescue, turns out to be bogged car

SES crews received a flood response call, where the person was allegedly "trapped in a car with water up to the car doors", to which they responded immediately.

The caller turned out to be bogged on a stock route after following GPS directions.

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While crews helped the driver retrieve their car, SES local commander for Namoi Tony Battam said the person had "no reason" for driving the stock route, and said the call was a "waste of resources".

"[SES] things there might be needed for something more urgent to go to," Mr Battam said.

"I likened it to calling the ambulance for a paper cut on your finger, it's the same sort of standard."

It comes after Narrabri was inundated with flash flooding earlier this month, and SES crews were called to real life-threatening situations.

Mr Battam said false calls also impacted SES members who have other more important commitments.

"They turned up with the right gear to do it and they left their employment to come and do it so they're losing wages because they've turned up," he said.

The commander had a warning for others to take into account in the future.

"Have a good think about it; do you need to go there, is your vehicle appropriate for it and if there's water there at all don't drive through it," he said.

"Have a think about your actions and the consequences when you're going to do something."

The recent rainfall and flooding meant the crews were also able to give their boats a test-run on the weekend for the first time in years.

Mr Battam said it gave new members more experience and meant they could take into account changed river beds after the flooding.