The use of technology presents one of the greatest opportunities for Clubs to improve the way they operate. The effective use of technology offers more efficient means of communication and administration at a reduced cost.
Access to the internet, email and social media has increased the ability to communicate and disseminate information on larger scales.
These tools allow Clubs to:
- Communicate with entire membership and identified groups via email, SMS and social media
- Publish news, activities and information on websites, Members Portal and via social media
- Log information into online systems such as SurfGuard and the LIMSOC
- Access information and produce reports from online systems such as SurfGuard and LIMSOC
- Access information posted on LSV and SLSA websites and in the SLSA Members Portal and social media sites
a) SLSA and IT
SLSA continues to invest in various forms of information technology projects at all levels of the organisation to improve the availability of information to support operational surf lifesaving, training programs and public education. Core projects include:
(i) SLSA Members Portal
The SLSA Members Portal is a one-stop shop for all members’ online needs. It is designed to unify what has been entirely separate websites and databases into one online location. Every member has a unique login to the Portal and it contains information which allows members to maintain and view their personal information, patrol rosters and awards.
(ii) SurfGuard
SurfGuard is the online system used by Clubs, States and SLSA to record membership, awards, patrols, transfers and organisation details.
(iii) Beachsafe
SLSA’s public education website that provides access to detailed information including current weather and hazards, patrol information and more about all 11,724 beaches in Australia. It is also available as a phone app.
(iv) ABSAMP
The Australian Beach Safety and Management Program with a geographical database of every beach in Australia.
b) LSV and IT
LSV also continues to invest significant effort in other forms of information technology projects to further support the club organisations. Platforms include:
(i) Volunteer Training Portal
View, search, and manage your training courses and enrolments. Volunteer Training Portal
(ii) Sport App Entries
Enter into carnivals and manage competitive teams. Sport App Entries
(iii) GEMS
Gear and Equipment Management SystemEquipment registry and management tool for club gear and equipment. GEMS
(iv) LIMSOC
Lifesaving Incident Management System and Operations Console, or LIMSOC. This is the system used for recording patrol related items, hazards and incidents. The app has been designed to be used by patrolling members on the beach. At the start of the patrol it is used to record the initial position of the beach flags and signage. It can also be used for the live location tracking of support services such as RWC, Helicopters etc. LIMSOC
(v) Patrol Inspections
Electronic recording of results and feedback from Patrol Service Inspections. Patrol Inspections
(vi) Nipper App
The Nipper App is designed to assist clubs to administer the clubs Nipper program. Nipper App
(vii) Club Admin
Club Administration App allows President, Secretaries and Club Captains to assign their own members access to particular systems. Club Admin
c) Other Systems
(i) Water Safety App
This App has been designed to assist coaches, trainers and other club personnel in conducting risk assessments on the beach as part of the new SLSA Water Safety Policy. Club personnel can use the application to identify any hazards, assess the risks posed to the participants and then determine how many water safety personnel will need to be on duty to ensure maximum safety for all participants.
(ii) Event Risk App
This app has been designed to assist event organisers, water safety personnel and senior officials to identify hazards, assess risk and develop risk mitigation strategies for aquatic SLS events. The app will assist event organisers in identification of coastal hazards, using expected and forecasted conditions for the day of the surf sport activity, assessment of risks, risk mitigation strategies and remedies. The apps audience is Safety & Emergency Services Coordinators, Event Referees and SLS Event Organisers.
(iii) Coastal Safety Risk Assessment App
The Coastal Safety Risk Assessment iPhone App allows an assessment of a beach or coastal area to identify hazards, assess risk and to develop risk mitigation strategies as part of the Australian CoastSafe service. For more information, please visit www.coastsafe.org.au
References
LSV Gateway
www.clubs.lsv.com.au
SLSA – Members Portal
www.portal.sls.com.au