Purpose
To outline the approach for reviewing and improving lifesaving services.
Definitions
| Patrol Review | The standardised process of assessing compliance of patrols/services to lifesaving service agreements and operations policies/procedures and identifying areas for improvements. |
| Patrol Reviewer | Branch appointed Officer who conducts/delivers Patrol Reviews. |
| Branch | Surf Life Saving body responsible for administration/delivery of Patrol Review Program in the Branch. |
Policy
All lifesaving services shall be reviewed by a Branch appointed ‘Patrol Reviewer’, within a Branch administered patrol/service Lifesaving Improvement Program, at least twice during each season.
Delivery of patrol reviews shall utilise the standard SLSNSW Patrol Review Form/process.
Patrols/services must reasonably participate with a patrol review and actively participate in identifying strengths and opportunities for improvement.
SLSNSW may conduct patrol/service reviews as it deems appropriate with prior approval of the State Director of Lifesaving and with prior notification to the Branch Director of Lifesaving.
Branches may choose to review components/items in addition to the minimum requirements of the SLSNSW Patrol Review Form/process (as it deems necessary). Branches may also choose to utilise an additional score-based approach. However, these shall be delivered on supplementary Branch forms (not contained within standardised SLSNSW forms or included in any SLSNSW standardised ‘scoring’ system).
Procedure
Review Planning/Preparation
Prior to the commencement of the patrol season, Branches shall:
- Establish a Patrol Review Team, of appropriately experienced SLS members.
- Appoint/endorse the Patrol Reviewers as Branch Officers for the season.
- Confirm reporting structure to the Branch Director of Lifesaving and identify whether a Patrol Review Coordinator shall be appointed.
- Conduct a briefing/induction with all Patrol Auditors, including issuing appropriate resources and uniform/equipment.
- Develop an ‘review roster’ to ensure appropriate number/spread of reviews during the season.
- Communicate Patrol Review process/expectations/information to all clubs/services.
- Provide to SLSNSW written confirmation of Patrol Review preparedness.
Review Delivery
Patrol Reviews shall be delivered as per the ‘SLSNSW Patrol Audit Guide’ and shall utilise the standardised forms.
Patrol Reviewers shall wear uniform to identify them as Branch Patrol Reviewers.
Should ‘excessive’ patrol/service activity (public safety focused) at the time of a review (significantly heavy workload/rescues) mean that review may compromise effective beach management (create an unacceptable risk) then the Patrol/Service Captain (or Patrol Reviewer) may reasonably decline participation in components which may hinder service delivery.
Note: The Patrol Reviewer having recorded the details, may continue to review the ‘other’ components as able (i.e equipment/beach setup/uniform etc).Should the Patrol Reviewer witness any clear breaches of lifesaving standards, which are creating immediate unacceptable risk to the public or members, the Patrol Reviewer shall inform the Patrol/Service Captain. Should no action be undertaken to remedy the issue, the Patrol Reviewer shall notify either the Branch Duty Officer or Director of Lifesaving (directly or via SurfCom).
Review Reporting
- Following the completion of a review, the Patrol Reviewer shall discuss the outcome with the Patrol Captain and provide feedback/advice as appropriate.
- Any issues requiring immediate support shall be communicated to the Duty Officer and Branch Director of Lifesaving or on-duty Duty Officer and noted in the “Next Steps” section of the Patrol Review Form.
- A copy of the Review Form shall be sent to Branch within 1 week of being conducted.
- A copy of the Review Form shall be retained with the Patrol Review Logbook.
- Branch shall input the date and other information into a central spreadsheet and retain a copy of the Review Form on file.
- Branch shall send progress reports (spreadsheet) to SLSNSW (in November, February) and submit a final report/spreadsheet in May as per Annual Compliancy requirements.
- SLSNSW may request copies of specific or all Patrol Review Form if required at any stage over the year, with reasonable notice.
Reference
SLSNSW Patrol Audit Guide
SLSNSW Patrol Review Form
Patrol Reviewer – Job Description
Annual Compliancy Circular