There are three phases of lifesaving operations under an emergency management structure that has relevance at both a wider SLSC season level and daily patrol level. Refer to the following table to see how each phase relates to an SLSC/service and patrol level.
| Lifesaving Operations Phase | SLSC/Service Level | Patrol Level |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Planning and preparation The planning and preparation phase involves monitoring conditions, situational awareness, contingency planning and training to ensure lifesaving services are always prepared and ready to provide an operational response. |
Pre-season activities outlined in the SLSNSW pre-season information pack Start of season briefings SLSC inductions, training and qualifications for new and returning members |
Rostering and establishing a patrol that meets the SLSC’s lifesaving service agreement Pre-patrol operations including risk assessments and gear and equipment checks Pre-patrol briefing Completing patrol records |
| 2. Operational Response Phase The operational response phase involves coordinating and communicating to appropriate responding lifesaving assets and other emergency services. |
Patrol operations (patrol teams) Emergency responses (call-out teams) Maintaining gear and equipment |
Various patrol methods operating Responding to an incident Search and rescue operational responses Updating patrol records Reporting faulty or damaged equipment |
| 3. Recovery Phase The recovery phase involves post-event activities including reports, reviews, debriefs and member wellbeing checks. |
End-of-season activities outlined by SLSNSW End-of-season debriefs Documentation submissions as required |
Re-establishing patrol operations following an incident Operational debriefs including incident and statement reporting Post-patrol debriefs including updating patrol records Post-patrol operations Critical incident support |