Purpose
To outline the search and rescue responsibilities used by Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) for lifesaving operations.
Policy
SLSNSW provides the following search and rescue definitions for use by clubs/services/personnel.
Procedure
Definition
Search and Rescue (SAR) services are defined as the performance of distress monitoring, communication, coordination of search and rescue functions, provision of medical advice and initial medical assistance through the use of lifesaving resources.
Lifesaving resources include all SLS active members/ALS staff, approved lifesaving equipment, Surf Life Saving clubs, support operations and lifesaving aircraft operating in New South Wales.
Overview
There are three levels of management within the SAR system:
- Overall management of SAR responsibilities by SAR Authorities;
- Control of individual SAR incidents by an Incident Controller (IC); and
- Command of lifesaving services by a SLSNSW Incident Controller (SDO) and Forward Commander (usually Patrol Captain or Duty Officer/Lifeguard Supervisor).
This section outlines, in general terms, the management and coordination actions required when a decision is made to implement procedures in prosecuting a SAR.
Once it is decided to proceed with a search, plans should be enacted for the commencement of search activity with a minimum of delay.
SAR Authority
In NSW NSWPF is the SAR Authority in charge of all SAR operations.
NSW Police are the combat agency for all Search & Rescue incidents in New South Wales. NSW Police can request Surf Life Saving assets to operate outside normal standard operating procedures, i.e. use of Rescue Water Craft in prohibited waterways
Incident Control
Control of an incident relates to overall management of a SAR involving multiple agencies. A representative of the SAR Authority shall take the role of Incident Controller.
Most commonly in Surf Life Saving operations, the Incident Controller shall be a senior representative of the NSW Police Force.
Each SAR operation is carried out under an Incident Controller (IC) designated for the purpose by the appropriate SAR Authority. The role of the IC may vary between SAR Authorities depending on their command arrangements. They must understand the extent of their authority and responsibility and must be capable of taking immediate and adequate action, basing their decisions on knowledge, logic and good judgement.
Incident Command (SLS)
Command of an incident relates to the management of an individual agency’s resources and delivery of specific tasks/objectives/goals, as set generally by the Incident Controller.
For Surf Life Saving, the Incident Commander shall be the State Duty Officer, with the role of Forward Commander delegated by the SDO, usually to the most senior lifesaving officer on-scene. (Often the Patrol Captain/Senior Lifeguard or Duty Officer/Lifeguard Supervisor).
The Surf Life Saving Incident Commander will assume ‘command’ and will be responsible for the coordination of all Surf Life Saving assets, resources, and personnel involved in the SAR, not limited to Lifesavers/Lifeguards (SLSNSW/ALS), IRBs, RWC, ORB, JRB, Surf Life Saving aircraft (helicopters, fixed-wing, UAVs).
Co-responding lifesaving services from adjacent branches or states shall fall under the command of the specific SLS incident commander, unless otherwise delegated by the Incident Commander.
Note: The relevant operational responsibilities of the various lifesaving service vessels/aircraft/skippers/ pilots shall be maintained however, as per the procedures for the safe operation of those craft.
The Incident Commander may delegate roles/responsibilities/tasks (including establishment of forward command posts/and delegation of forward incident commanders) as required – but reporting to the Incident Commander.
SAR Roles – Overview
State Duty Officer (including State Operations Centre)
The State Duty Officer is the sole emergency contact and dissemination point between emergency services and lifesaving services regarding a beach or aquatic (coastal/offshore/inland) incident in NSW and for ‘disasters’ as per the NSW EMPLAN and relevant Sub-Plans.
All communications from emergency services and SLS/ALS/Council Lifeguard Services/Lifesaving Aircraft shall be directed to the State Duty Officer.
The State Duty Officer shall correlate and disseminate the relevant information to the relevant lifesaving services.
Responding lifesaving services shall provide the relevant SITREPS and communications to the State Duty Officer.
The State Duty officer shall provide SITREPS and seek further information from emergency service communications centres and key departments, including but not limited to Police VKG’s, Marine Area Command, NSW Ambulance, Aeromedical Control, SES, NSW DPI.
Responding lifesaving services shall establish contact with on-site emergency services and agency Forward Commanders.
All SLS Life Saver Helicopter notifications/requests for support shall be made via the State Duty Officer (including when SurfCom’s are operating).
Only State Duty Officers (including SOC) shall undertake a tasking/notification role for lifesaving services (unless otherwise delegated to by the State Duty Officer).
Note: During regular patrol hours, SLSNSW SurfCom shall fulfil the communication function to emergency services (Fire, Ambulance, Police) to request support for lifesaving services.
Branch Duty Officer/ALS Lifeguard Supervisors
These roles deliver 3 key functions:
- Local dissemination and coordination of services for emergency response (generally outside regular patrol times and/or to unpatrolled locations).
- On-site liaison with Agency Commander (most commonly NSW Police).
- Forward Command of own services/assets/personnel.
Lifesaving services which shall fall under the operational ‘command’ of the Branch Duty Officer if participating in a SAR incident in NSW include:
- SLSC patrols/callout teams.
- SLS RWCs.
- SLS ORB/JRBs.
- Surf Life Saving Aircraft
- SLS services responding from adjacent Branches.
- SLS service responding from SLSQ, LSV.
- Other SLS services (i.e. visiting inter-state team).
Joint-Response Situations (volunteer and paid services)
Where both volunteer lifesaving services and ALS services are co-responding they shall initially fall under the operational command of their own Incident Commander (Branch Duty Officer, Lifeguard Supervisor) respectively, until such time a coordinated command structure is agreed between both services.
Where volunteer lifesaving services, ALS and Council services may be undertaking joint operations, command of their services shall fall to their own Patrol Captain, Branch Duty Officer, Lifeguard Supervisors respectively, until such time a coordinated command structure is agreed between all services (if appropriate).
SurfCom
SurfCom provides the support function to a SAR, including the combination of the following:
- Initial dissemination of information and tasking of SLS/ALS services to an emergency;
- Coordination of emergency service support;
- Upward and downward SITREPs to SLS/ALS and emergency services;
- Monitoring service response/status/welfare; and
- Maintaining data/communications records.
Only SLSNSW SurfCom and/or State Duty Officers (including SOC) shall undertake a coordination/ communications support role for lifesaving services over the SLSNSW radio network (unless otherwise delegated to by the State Duty Officer).
The staff of a SurfCom perform duties in the prosecution of search and rescue events in addition they have responsibility for maintaining the operations in a continuous state of preparedness. The SurfCom staff shall consist of personnel who are experienced and/or trained in SAR operations. When a period of heavy activity is anticipated or during major SAR incidents, the regular staff may be supplemented as required.