lsv comms incident reporting procedure - Life Saving Victoria

LSV COMMS INCIDENTREPORTING PROCEDUREPurposeTo standardise the emergency response procedures for Life SavingVictoria Communication Centre (LSV Comms) operators whenworking with patrols and lifeguards during an emergency situation.ScopeLife Saving Victoria Communication Centre and Operators whendirecting Voluntary Patrol Members and Lifeguards when on patrol orconducting water safety activities.ProceduresIntroductionThe role of LSV Comms is primarily to support and assist rescuepersonnel on the beach. LSV Comms receives and delivers a widevariety of information and data throughout the patrol period as well asmaintaining close links with Emergency Service Organisationsthroughout the State.It must be noted that the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) isresponsible for all Victorian waterways, therefore Life Saving Victoriamust follow their requests or instructions.Due to the varying nature of the possible emergency scenarios thatlifesaving clubs may be faced with during normal patrol times it wouldbe difficult if not impossible to cover every possibility, therefore thisprocedure is to be used as guidance only.LSV Comms does not control any incident, the role is to assist withrecommendations and coordination, in conjunction with the RescueCoordination Centre (RCC) and the designated personnel from thelifesaving club involved.INDEX07.02:SOP:03EFFECTIVE DATE:20/09/2008ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED DOCUMENTDocument Name: LSV Comms Incident Reporting ProcedureDocument No. 07.02:SOP:03Review Required: 2 YearsPage 1 of 4

Emergency ScenariosNOTE: Should an emergency occur outside the clubs main patrolarea it is the Patrol Captain’s sole decision to determine if resourcesallow the patrolling members to leave the area to respond to theemergency.NOTIFICATION RECEIVED BY LSV COMMS FROM ALIFESAVING CLUBShark Sighting1. Ensure the club has followed 05.12:SOP:03 Shark SightingProcedure.2. Determine from the caller if the sighting is confirmed orunconfirmed.3. Verify if Club requires any additional resources.4. Notify Life Saving Clubs on either side of location, advising if apossible or confirmed sighting.5. Determine location of Life Saving Victoria’s fixed wing aircraft. Ifconfirmed sighting request attendance and ETA. If unconfirmed,advise aircraft of situation and request a fly over as soon aspractical.6. Request club keeps LSV Comms updated.Incident Involving any Marine Craft1. Ensure you have received as much information as possible fromthe complainant (club member) the absolute minimum is the fourP’s: position, people, problem, progress2. If the incident is being reported by a third party, ensure a seniorclub member remains with the original informant, or at leastobtains their contact details.3. Ensure the Patrol Captain has adequate resources to maintainthe safety of the swimmers between the flags, prior to respondingto the emergency.4. Ensure the rescuers take appropriate equipment includingmaintaining radio communication at all times.5. If the club is responding to the incident, request updates /situation reports as often as practical/necessary.6. Contact RCC and advise them of the incident.7. Determine resource capability from the lifesaving clubs in closeproximity to the incident, if available, place them on STAND-BY –they must not be tasked until approved by RCC.ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED DOCUMENTINDEX07.02:SOP:03EFFECTIVE DATE:20/09/2008Document Name: LSV Comms Incident Reporting ProcedureDocument No. 07.02:SOP:03Review Required: 2 YearsPage 2 of 4

8. Inform/update RCC of lifesaving resources available – followinstructions given by RCC.9. If required despatch resources to the scene, if not required, havethem stand down (with thanks)10. Continually request updates / situation reports from the club untilincident is complete or when lifesaving services are no longerrequired (when incident is ‘taken over’ by member/s of VictoriaPolice).11. Once incident is completed, ensure ALL member have returnedsafe and well (ensure a debriefing takes place if necessary).12. Ensure all details of the incident have been recorded in therelevant club log book. Request specific information for LSVComms log if required.13. Discuss with senior members of the club if Critical Incident StressDebriefing (CISD) and/or Peer Support is required.14. If requested arrange CISD / Peer Support for members.15. Notify RCC all rescue personal have returned.16. Obtain Marine Incident Report number from RCC.Incident involving Missing Person1. Ensure you have received as much information as possible fromthe complainant (club member) the absolute minimum is the fourP’s: position, people, problem, progress2. If the incident is being reported by a third party, ensure a seniorclub member remains with the original informant, or at leastobtains their contact details.3. Ensure the Patrol Captain has adequate resources to maintainthe safety of the swimmers between the flags, prior to respondingto the search.4. Ensure the searchers take appropriate equipment includingmaintaining radio communication at all times.5. Ensure the local police have been informed on the incident.6. Request updates / situation reports as often as practical ornecessary.7. Contact LSV Comms and advise them of the incident.8. Follow same procedure as per marine incident, if additionalresources are required.NOTIFICATION RECEIVED FROM EXTERNAL EMERGENCYSERVICE.1. Follow same procedures as above (excluding RCC notification).INDEX07.02:SOP:03EFFECTIVE DATE:20/09/2008ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED DOCUMENTDocument Name: LSV Comms Incident Reporting ProcedureDocument No. 07.02:SOP:03Review Required: 2 YearsPage 3 of 4

NOTE: The RCC cannot task any member of the lifesaving club,without express permission from the Club’s Patrol Captain.It is the Patrol Captain’s duty to ensure the safety of theswimmers between the patrol flags on the club’s beach.2. If it is determined that a club cannot respond to an emergencysituation outside the patrol area, The RCC are to be notifiedimmediately.LSV Comms Centre Contact DetailsEmergency Calls - 24 hours:13 SURF (137873)or Alternate Number (03 ) 9676 2244Facsimilie: (03) 9676 6969E-mail: lsvcomms@lifesavingvictoria.com.auINDEX07.02:SOP:03EFFECTIVE DATE:20/09/2008ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED DOCUMENTDocument Name: LSV Comms Incident Reporting ProcedureDocument No. 07.02:SOP:03Review Required: 2 YearsPage 4 of 4