Purpose
To outline parameters for the dissemination of Hazardous Surf Warnings, Severe Weather Warnings and Damaging Surf warnings to internal and external stakeholders.
Policy
Release of warning and operational information shall be undertaken by authorised State/Branch/Club personnel only.
Procedure
Definition: Any of above warning shall be deemed as any ‘release’ of a warning to the media/public other services regarding forecast high-risk surf/weather conditions.
The warning system shall be administered by SLSNSW under its arrangement with the Bureau of Meteorology (The Bureau).
Media
SLSNSW shall be responsible for disseminating warning information to the media via a Media Advisory. Authorised branch/clubs/services may in addition to that ‘release’ provide local/regional advice and information to the media.
Branch/Clubs/Services may release local SMEACS (or TSMEACs) briefings, however the SLSNSW State Operations Centre must always be consulted and copied into all dissemination.
Branches/Clubs/Services shall not release warnings to the media without SLSNSW approval.
Warnings Protocol (General)
The following Bureau/SLSNSW protocols are in place to best identify and provide warnings:
- The Bureau forecasters identify potentially dangerous surf situations 48-24hrs prior;
- The Bureau provide SLSNSW a ‘heads-up’ notification regarding potential warnings;
- SLSNSW prepare briefing (SMEAC) and Media Releases;
- The Bureau confirm warnings and impact area/timeframe;
- SLSNSW release a briefing to internal and external services/emergency services;
- SLSNSW release media advisories to impacted regions (or statewide), these releases are either:
- ‘General’; or
- ‘Rock-Fishing specific’ depending on time-of-year/risk activities;
- SLSNSW releases translated media advisories to foreign language media (general or rock-fishing);
- The Bureau advise on any changes/extensions to warnings;
- SLSNSW provide updated information to stakeholders if deemed necessary.
Reference
Hazards, warnings and safety – Marine Knowledge Centre