Rural Fire Service (RFS) volunteers on the New South Wales mid north coast say they are "gutted" after thieves made off with more than $30,000 of their firefighting equipment. 

Volunteers with the Coolongolook RFS made the discovery on Sunday after being called to assist with a motor vehicle crash on the Pacific Highway. 

Arriving at the station, Captain Andy Gilbert discovered thieves had broken into the building and a truck which had been parked outside. 

"They had stolen a whole heap of stuff off our truck, firefighting gear like radios and hoses that we use on a regular basis," he said

"It's gutting." 

Wheelie bin used in brazen robbery 

The stolen equipment ranged from chainsaws, UHF radios, firefighting hoses, breathing masks and specialist tools used to gain entry into cars involved in motor vehicle accidents. 

An air compressor and a pressure washer were also among the stolen items, which had been donated to the station in August. 

Captain Andy Gilbert (second from right) says the stolen equipment included an air compressor, which had been donated to the brigade in August.  (Supplied: Coolongolook RFS)

Mr Gilbert said he was stunned by how the thieves had transported the large volume of stolen equipment until the station's yellow recycling bin was also reported missing. 

"We thought, 'Hang on, our wheelie bin is missing'," he said. 

It was later located in grassland a short distance from the station, where Mr Gilbert suspects it was used to transport the stolen items into a parked car. 

"You could tell they had gone back quite a few times, they'd made a track pushing the grass down."

In a statement, Manning Great Lakes Police District said it was investigating the break-in, which was believed to have taken place between December 23 and December 28. 

Members of the public with information about the robbery are being encouraged to contact NSW Police. 

Community at risk after 'selfish act' 

Mr Gilbert said the incident has rattled the brigade, which was already weary after fighting an emergency level fire blaze at Bulahdelah where a firefighter was killed.

"It was tough on all the crews, it was pretty brutal," he said.