4.17 Closing an Incident

VERSION 1.0 – DECEMBER 2023

Purpose: To ensure that SLSQ Operators at SurfCom are provided with clear principles and procedures regarding the termination of active incidents.

Scope: This procedure applies to all Operators in the State Operations Communications Centre (SurfCom).

Procedure:

In some situations, SLSQ members may arrive on scene and report that they are unable to locate a patient. Generally, this would indicate that the request for service may have been generated from a ‘false call’ or the person may have absconded or departed the scene prior to the arrival of SLSQ and in most situations, this will involve termination of the incident.

In addition, some incidents are protracted into the following day and changeover. When this occurs it is important that the flow of information continues to the next appropriate member.

To ensure the safety of any potential patients and the reputation of the organisation, it is essential that SurfCom Operators and attending members ensure that all checks are undertaken and exhausted to confirm that termination of the incident is warranted. It is essential that every effort be made to locate the person/s and understand the circumstances that resulted in the termination of the incident.

1. Difficulty locating a person
   1.1 Confirm incident location and details with the attending member/s on scene, (check street number, street name spelling, suburb and all other location detail as initially received).
   1.2 Confirmation of incident location on SurfCom mapping application, including any Advanced Mobile Location data.
   1.3 Immediately notify the OCS or Senior Operator, providing a brief summary of the situation.
   1.4 Consult with the OCS or Senior Operator regarding an ‘incident call back’ to confirm or gain further advice regarding the location of the patient.
   1.5 Ensure that all Situation Reports (SitReps) are accurately recorded in the incident.
   1.6 Action any Inter-agency notifications and/or liaise directly with allied services (if and where required) to confirm locations or incident details; specifically, for incidents that are located in public or community areas.
   1.7 Ensure all known information is provided to attending members, to effectively assist with the location of the patient and/or any search efforts that may be in progress.
   1.8 Ensure that all information is accurately recorded in the incident involved. This must include all steps taken by both SurfCom Operators and the assigned resources, which involve locating and/or searching for the person/s.
   1.9 If unable to locate the person/s upon advice from State Emergency Agencies then ensure the correct cancellation reason is recorded in LIMSOC.

2. Notify Operational Supervisors
   2.1 Task and/or notify an operational supervisor of the incident as per SOP 4.13 Deploying Supervisors and Member Support.

3. Closing Incident
   3.1 In each instance the final decision to terminate search efforts at an incident when unable to locate a person/s resides with the attending resources. This decision should only be made after consulting with the OCS/Senior Operator, and only once the operators are convinced that all appropriate checks have been made and that the physical area has been searched thoroughly.
   3.2 The final decision to close an incident resides with the OCS/Senior Operator, LG Supervisor or Duty Officer who agree that the incident has been completed, where all available information can be considered.