4.9 Tasking Protocols

VERSION 1.0 – DECEMBER 2023

Purpose: To provide standard and baseline protocols for emergency communications centre operators resourcing incidents.

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

Procedure:

1. Assess the initial incident information.
   1.1 Locate the incident, and the distance to the nearest [capable] unit.
   1.2 Determine time sensitivities (i.e. Consider patients in the water will have considerably less survival time than land based)
   1.3 Identify the number of persons involved and potentially requiring assistance
   1.4 Determine the severity of the incident (i.e. Severity of the injury)
   1.5 Confirm the current internal response. (are units already on scene or enroute?)

2. Use systems and intelligence to gain situational awareness.
   2.1 Operators can gain this intelligence locally by:
   a) Contacting partner agencies and ESO’s via phone
   2.2 Operators can use systems to gain this information such as:
   a) ADSB Flight Information services or AIS Vessel information
   b) Inter-cad messaging
   c) Interop Radio Monitoring (VHF Marine Frequencies)
   d) Coastal Safety Network Camera Vision

3. Dispatch Resources (Units)
   3.1 First dispatch the closest and most appropriate unit
   3.2 Task support services such as roving patrols or aviation
   3.3 Then consider emergency service assistance if required
   3.4 It is mandatory that all resources dispatched to priority incidents be provided with the following details via the radio network:
   a) The SLSQ response priority and the unit’s location at time of dispatch, i.e. “Unit Waverunner 6 you are responding from Southport Surf Club”
   b) The location/address of the incident, i.e. “to Beach Access 34”
   c) The Problem Determinant, i.e. “you are responding to a Resuscitation”
   d) The age and gender of the patient, i.e. “to a 67 year old male” (if known)
   e) The state of consciousness, i.e. “who is unconscious”
   f) The state of breathing, i.e. “and not breathing”
   These response details must be transmitted as – “Unit Waverunner 6 you are responding from Southport Surf Club to Beach Access 34. You are responding to a Resuscitation, for a 67 year old male, who is unconscious and not breathing”.
   3.5 Match the response to the number of patients or size of the issue.
   a) i.e., don’t send 10 people to rescue one patient.
   Caution must be exercised when tasking units to areas outside of their primary coverage area, particularly if those units are already handling a high volume of rescues or actions.

4. Provide Additional Information
   4.1 Additional information relevant to the incident should be relayed to the responding unit/s in order of priority; this information may include, but not limited to, the following points:
   a) The notification of any known hazardous situations or potential scene safety issues that may be associated with the incident.
   b) Where information indicates the location and/or patient may be difficult to locate or access, provide the closest cross street details or additional address/premise information.
   c) Information regarding any back-up or support.
   d) Additional or subsequent information concerning the patient/s condition or situation that may have been received during or after the dispatch process,

5. Monitor and Manage Units
   5.1 Operators must ensure that responding unit/s provide an acknowledgment that the incident details have been received and understood correctly. Where no acknowledgement has been received the Operator must follow-up with the responding unit to obtain an acknowledgement.
   5.2 Any delay greater than 2 minutes in the confirmation or acknowledgement of response incidents will require the immediate dispatch of an additional unit to the incident.
   5.3 Once enroute, Operators must monitor the journey of the unit to the from the incident.
   5.4 On protracted incidents, monitor the fatigue of personnel. Arrange reinforcements ahead of time.

6. Respond to Changing Circumstances
   6.1 Once on scene, operators must request a sitrep; this information triggers operators to reassess the response. Do not hesitate to reduce or increase resources as the incident progresses.

7. Evaluate the response
   7.1 Once the incident is completed, work with the team and OCS or Senior Operator to evaluate the response level, including both strengths and weaknesses of the response.
   7.2 Speak with the units on scene post incident to see if they have any feedback in relation to the response.
   Refer to Tasking Matrix for more information