Fire brigade captain John Bevan said six Lightning Ridge staff members sat the exam with four of them now being accredited.

He said the remaining two still had to do their first-aid qualifications before they too would be elegible to qualify.

Mr Bevan said the re-accreditation exam involved the participants having to do a theoretical component as well as a practical.

He said the six firefighters had to answer 80 questions referring to safety, how to use the equipment, and what to do in certain situations.

"They also needed to show they have a sound knowledge of the fire manual and rescue procedures on vehicles."

Mr Bevan said the practical component involved participants having to tie a variety of knots used by the service, and practise using the different rescue equipment.

"The firefighters had to show they could use wedges for opening car doors, air chisels, hydraulic cutting equipment and chain pull-sets competently."

He said those that had qualified would now be able to assist the State Emergency Service (SES) in vehicle accident situations.

"But the fire brigade is always secondary to the SES so would only assist if necessary."

He said the Lightning Ridge Fire Brigade had 15 members, with strong recent interest to join from potential new recruits.

Mr Bevan took on the role of fire captain two months ago from Guy Le Strange, and is the longest serving firefighter with the local brigade.