Operations Support
Across Queensland lifesavers and lifeguards on the beach are supported by the Lifesaving Operations Support. These services are critical to our operation, patrolling dangerous and unpatrolled areas and helping guide people back into the flagged areas.
Lifesaving Operations Support includes:
Duty Officers
The Lifesaving Duty Officer is a voluntary position and will primarily perform rostered duty during the Surf Life Saving patrols, within a designated patrol season. The Duty officer's purpose is to assist with the integration and coordination of Club Lifesaving Services and Operations Support; to liaise with Surfcom centre in relation to deployment of Lifesaving Services; to liaise with external stakeholders; to minimise potential risk to the bathing public and Surf Life Saving personnel.
Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter
The Helicopter Service is only one part of the Life Saving Support Services Division of SLSQ and concentrates on the white water aquatic environment (coastline) by providing a surveillance and rescue service to support our lifesavers on the beaches and assist members of the public who may get into difficulty. The Helicopter Service also supports other Emergency Services, such as Queensland Police, Queensland Ambulance Services, Coast Guard, etc.
Jet Rescue Boats
Surf Life Saving Queensland provides three (3) Jet Rescue Boat services on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. They are primarily used as a surveillance vessel. The JRB's also provide 24 hour callout and search and rescue service.
Rescue Water Craft - Waverunner
Originally implemented as a quick response rescue aid by the Hawaiian Lifeguards, the Rescue Water Craft (RWC) were first trialled in Australia for lifesaving use by Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) as a single operator surveillance patrol platform.
The RWC has proven to be one of the most vaulable pieces of rescue equipment used in patrol operations. The RWC service is primarily responsible for providing on water, close to shore surveillance outside the red and yellow flagged patrol areas. On the water, RWC are an invaluable part of our operation, patrolling long stretches of coastline to help keep beach users safe. They are fast, agile and a vital part of the complete lifesaving service.
Communications & Surveillance
Surf Life Saving Queensland provides Radio Communication Centres on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast which provide a vital link to all lifesaving services, Support Services, and other Emergency Services.
The Communication Centres liaise, control and coordinate all communications in the Surf Life Saving radio network, and also consist of -
• Multiple radio networks;
• Surf safety camera surveillance;
• Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking system;
• Incident reporting systems