Energy company Transpower this week named the organisation as one of 23 community bodies to receive grants in the latest funding round of its CommunityCare Funding scheme.
Search and rescue chairman Tony Wood said the organisation was ''thrilled'' with the grant, which would be used to buy hand-held radios, and to make enhancements to communication abilities.
Mr Wood said the radios would be used to live-track rescue teams through GPS capabilities.
He said the grant would also pay for a new repeater, which would link the radios while teams were in the field.
''This is new technology for us.
''It extends the communication capability both for our teams in the field and also as a resource for North Otago.''
The new resources were much needed, he said.
Transpower people and corporate relations general manager Cynthia Brophy said the grant would be beneficial to the local community, because having up-to-date communication equipment would enable quicker search and rescue response times.
''Its great to see so many community initiatives happening around the country. We recognise the impact that our assets have on communities and are pleased to be able to give these local initiatives some financial assistance so they can successfully complete their projects.''
She said 54 applications were received from community groups and associations in the recent round of funding.
''The successful applications demonstrated projects that would be highly beneficial to their local community.''
