Public Safety Standard Operating Procedures

PSS 11.1 Overview of SurfCom Operations

Purpose

To provide an overview of State Operations Centre (callsign SurfCom) operations within Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW).

Policy

SLSNSW provides the following guidelines and requirements to ensure the ongoing effectiveness of SurfCom in the support of lifesaving operations.

Procedure

Introduction

The purpose of a SurfCom is to assist the Forward Commander (Patrol Captain, Lifeguard, and Duty Officer) to carry out their roles. SurfCom provides support/coordination between lifesaving services and other emergency services.

SurfCom Authorisation

Only SLSNSW authorised ‘SurfCom’ may utilise SLSNSW radio frequencies and fulfil the ‘SurfCom’ type function. Other agencies/services/groups within Surf Life Saving and externally shall seek written permission from SLSNSW to utilise radio frequencies and undertake SurfCom type roles (temporary or ongoing) for their own services and/or with lifesaving/other services.

SurfCom Objective

To provide communications and coordination support to lifesaving services/emergency services.

Scope of Operation – Days/Hours

The State Operations Centre operates 365 days a year.

Seasonal hours may vary, however minimum operating hours are 0700 – 1700. SurfCom is considered operational for the duration of SOC open hours, the coastal radio network is actively monitored during this time.

Where patrols extend hours due to conditions such as beach visitation or developing incident, SurfCom shall extend its hours to match.

No Surf Life Saving patrol/service should operate a scheduled patrol without the support of a SLSNSW endorsed SurfCom.

Scope of Operation – After-Hours Capacity

SurfCom retains the capacity to be activated after-hours/out-of-season for specific events and emergency incidents.

SurfCom Key Duties

  • Patrol/service sign-on/offs + key data/stats;
  • Provide key planning information – weather/warnings/tides/other;
  • Coordinate resources to support lifesaving services;
  • Coordinate emergency service support to aid lifesaving services;
  • Information management – this relates to the necessity of SurfCom to maintain records and collect, interpret and disseminate relevant information.

SurfCom Elements and Activities

SurfCom is key to effective emergency management, with the following elements which are generally common to all operations centres.

  1. Management – of operations is the responsibility of the Incident Commander, the State Duty Officer. This person is responsible for decisions made in respect to the conduct of operations. The Incident Commander is supported in this role by the operations element (SurfCom).
  2. Operations – This element supports the decision-making responsibilities of the Incident Commander and carries out:
    1. Processing of Information.
    2. Coordination of the acquisition and deployment of resources.
    3. Deployment of operational plans.
    4. Liaison with representatives of other organisations.
  3. Communications – This element provides the communication necessary to support the command, operations and administrative elements. It is a central part of the planning process and must anticipate the increased need for information transmission, in both technological and personal terms. It must provide for sufficient capability to achieve reliable and effective communications.
  4. Administrative Support – Like any office, SurfCom creates administrative demands through its own activities. These demands are met by an administrative support element.

SurfCom Roles/Positions

  • State Duty Officer (SDO): State appointed officer responsible for overall SurfCom function. Incident Commander. Callsign: NSW 10
  • Senior Emergency Response Operator (SERO): Senior SurfCom Operator on-shift (2IC to SDO) on any given day.
  • Emergency Response Operator (ERO): Standard SurfCom communications role.
  • Probationary Emergency Response Operator: New operator, who has completed training, and is undertaking initial shifts under supervision.

Emergency Response Operator Pre-requisites

Minimum:

  • 18 years of age (at commencement of duties)
  • SLSA Financial Member
  • Excellent communication skills
  • High standard of computer literacy

Desired:

  • Bronze Medallion
  • Radio Operator Certificate
  • Comprehensive understanding of Surf Life Saving operations
  • Emergency Service Experience

SurfCom Personnel Uniform/Equipment

State Duty Officers shall wear the following uniform:

  • SLSNSW sky blue business shirt with SLSNSW roundel on left chest or SLSNSW
  • SLSNSW Navy staff polo with SLSNSW roundel on left chest
  • SLSNSW name badge with name, role and SLSNSW roundel
  • Enclosed shoes
  • Tidy dress pants, shorts or skirt

Emergency Response Operators shall wear the following uniform as a minimum:

  • SLSNSW Navy staff polo with SLSNSW roundel on left chest
  • SLSNSW Name badge – with name, role, and SLS roundel
  • Tidy dress pants, shorts or skirt
  • Enclosed shoes

Note: All relevant workplace health and safety requirements shall apply to a SurfCom facility/personnel

Last modified: 27/07/23