Each SLS state centre has a surf lifesaving communication centre. These vary in name depending on your location and examples include SurfCom, State Operations Centre and LSV Comms.
The main roles of these communication centres are to:
- assist with the coordination of major incidents when several lifesaving services are involved
- gather and record operational information
- liaise with other emergency services
- provide general information to all lifesaving services.
These communication centres can be contacted by using your local radio network or by telephone. Check your SLS state centre SOPs regarding your communication centre.
For simplicity in this manual, SurfCom is used to refer to a surf lifesaving communication centre.
SurfCom communications may be recorded as accurate recordings of all actions and orders is essential to:
- ensure accountability for the exercise of authority and the use of resources
- facilitate investigations (including coronial and criminal)
- maximising learning through debriefing and subsequent training.