Four new Emergency Response Beacons (ERBs) across the Lower North Coast will ensure heightened safety for beachgoers this summer as the rollout of the lifesaving technology by Surf Life Saving (SLS) NSW continues.
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With funding secured through the NSW Government Enhanced Rescue Funding package, new devices have been installed at Diamond, Nine Mile (Tuncurry) and Boomerang beaches, while a fourth is in the process of being installed at The Ruins in Booti Booti National Park.
Once that process is complete, a stretch of four dangerous blackspots between Black Head and Elizabeth beaches will be made safer with an ERB, the activation of which connects the user straight to the SLSNSW state operations centre (SOC) where an operator will task the nearest lifesavers, lifeguards or other emergency service.
This technology gives an immediate connection between someone in trouble or witnessing an emergency on the beach, to our SOC so help can be on the way quickly.
- Lower North Coast director of lifesaving, Nathan De Rooy
These sites had been identified through research under the Black Spot Program and Operation Blue Print as high-risk locations and the installation of the ERB will decrease the response time for emergency services to attend an incident at each location.
Lower North Coast branch director of lifesaving, Nathan De Rooy said the ERBs would be an important asset to lifesaving operations in the region.
"We have already seen the lifesaving capability of these units at other locations across NSW," Mr De Rooy said.
"This technology gives an immediate connection between someone in trouble or witnessing an emergency on the beach, to our SOC so help can be on the way quickly," he said.
"They're solar powered, camera-equipped and connect to the 4G network so there is no cabling involved in installation.
"It really is a seamless process that has so much benefit for the community.
"These areas are often not patrolled so to have the ERB there, which also gives operators good situational awareness to pass on to lifesavers and lifeguards through live video streaming, it's going to really reduce response times and likely save many lives, whether it's swimming, rock fishing or boating incidents."
The ERB uses the latest mobile technology to communicate between the SOC and the person on the beach and the SOC operator can quickly gather important information, issue instructions or provide reassurance in an emergency situation.
A camera fitted to the ERB can be remotely monitored by the SOC to provide operators with situational awareness of the incident.
Surf Life Saving can then respond using a wide range of support operations assets, including jetskis, inflatable rescue boats, volunteer callout teams from surf clubs, lifeguards, or helicopter or drone services.
