Firefighters in Campbelltown, Picton and Warragamba have been trained in snake catching and will now be able to respond to calls from residents with snake problems.

The three stations will be able to cover a large area including Camden and stretching from Penrith to Picton.

Since the training began about two months ago, firefighters have been called out many times.

``Over the past couple of months we've probably caught somewhere between a dozen and two dozen snakes,'' Campbelltown fire captain Tim Edlington said.

``They've all gone very well; we've had about a 90percent strike rate as far as actually catching the snake, but we've had the odd one that's hard to find.''

Firefighter and snake enthusiast Bob Gleeson, of Mount Annan, said callers needed to keep an eye on the snake at all times to make the firefighters' job easier once they arrived.

``Once you lose sight of a snake they can be very elusive and masters of stealth,'' Mr Gleeson said.

He assured people there was no need to fear the snake as long as it was left alone.

``Don't throw anything at it.

``A snake won't attack you and if it comes near you, just stay still or if you can't do that, just walk away.''

The training consisted of learning how to handle several venomous snakes including eastern browns, copperheads, death adders, red-belly blacks and tiger snakes.

Firefighters were also taught how to capture a snake using special tools and how to ``tail'' a snake; picking it up by the tail and placing it safely in a bag.

They were also taught how to recognise deadly snakes and harmless snakes.

Mr Edlington said the course, conducted by snake handlers from WIRES, was very worthwhile.

``Everybody is now certified as a competent snake and lizard handler,'' he said.

Mr Edlington said the fire fighters had been trained in snake handling to assist WIRES and other organisations, which were experiencing a shortage of snake handlers.