Purpose
To outline ‘public emergency contact information,’ for promotion by lifesaving services.
Policy
Surf Life Saving New South Wales has in place structured emergency communication processes which must be adhered to by all members/clubs/services.
This structure is founded on ‘Triple Zero’ and includes complementary systems such as the Surf Emergency Response System, SurfCom protocols and other centralised information (Beachsafe).
Procedure
Public Emergency Contact Information
Lifesaving services shall promote ‘Triple Zero’ (000) as the public avenue for reporting emergencies.
Note: For in-water specific incidents/emergencies, lifesaving services should promote ‘000 – Police’.
Branches/clubs/services shall not promote any other emergency contact information (other than ‘triple 0’) to the public. This includes any local/regional emergency contact information for a club/service or individual member.
The Surf Emergency Response System (13SURF) must not be promoted to the public/media or any parties, other than to the appropriate emergency services, by the appropriate SLS officers.
Triple Zero (000) is Australia’s primary telephone number to call for assistance in life threatening or time critical emergency situations. Dialing 112 directs you to the same Triple Zero (000) call service and does not give your call priority over Triple Zero (000).
After notifying Police via 000, an SLS member may pass relevant information on an unfolding incident to the rostered State Duty Officer on 9471 8092 – this number is monitored 24/7.
Club answer-phone messages
All dedicated landline and mobile lifesaving service phones shall provide a consistent initial answer-phone message (excluding call-divert systems).
“You have called ‘Club/Service Name’, if this is a rescue emergency please hang up and dial triple zero, ask for Police and include a cross street or point of reference.”
Clubhouse emergency contact signage
Club/service facilities should provide consistent emergency contact information on key locations (SLSC, towers etc.) to assist the public at unpatrolled times. This information should read “In an Emergency Dial 000 for Police’.
The following symbol should be displayed with said information:
