NSW Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib attended the Sunday March 17 2024 final day of this year's NSW Surf Life Saving State Championships, presenting medals and also making an important announcement.
The NSW Government planned to install 10 new Emergency Response Beacons (ERBs) in key coastal locations this year, including at North Palm Beach, where there have been rescues this Season, and at Turimetta, in addition to an emergency rescue board at Turimetta by council, as announced in October 2023.
The first of these on the peninsula was installed at Shelly Beach, Manly in 2021.
Shelly Beach was identified as a hotspot location for the new beacon after lifesavers responded to 49 major emergency callouts since 2008 and three coastal deaths or drowning of swimmers, snorkelers and divers in the 2015 to 2021 period.
The new ERBs for North Palm Beach and Turimetta are now installed and active and two of six now working across the Sydney Northern Beaches Branch of Surf Life Saving. There are now fifty-three active ERB's across the state.
The SNB Branch ERBs are at:
- SNB – North Palm Beach
- SNB – Turimetta Beach
- SNB – Narrabeen
- SNB – Fishermans Beach
- SNB – South Curl Curl
- SNB – Shelly Beach, Manly
ERBs directly connect callers to Surf Life Saving NSW’s State Operations Centre at Belrose, enabling the rapid deployment of lifesaving and emergency services to a potential rescue site. This can drastically reduce response times, particularly in unpatrolled or isolated areas.
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.
The upgrade in technology provided by the NSW Government’s funding means the new units are solar-powered, can be permanently fixed in position and are easy to install in remote or difficult to access locations. Flashing lights on top of the beacon act as a visual indicator to lifesavers or members of the public that the unit has been activated.
The expansion of emergency response infrastructure comes after the Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib convened a roundtable on coastal safety earlier this year, in response to an increase in coastal drownings over recent years.
The new beacons, which are the first of 32 to be delivered over the next four years, are part of the NSW Government’s record $23 million additional investment in Surf Life Saving NSW.
As part of this funding, the NSW Government is also delivering 67 jet skis over four years, with 14 already deployed to beaches along the state’s coastline.
The roundtable held in March considered the latest data on high risk drowning locations along the state’s coastline, with the locations of the new ERBs based on this data, rescue statistics and consultation with key stakeholders.
Addressing the number of coastal deaths in unpatrolled and isolated locations is a priority for the NSW Government, along with reaching more communities with important water safety messages. Discussions at the roundtable highlighted concerns about whether these messages are well understood by all beachgoers.
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:
“Emergency Response Beacons are already being used successfully in coastal locations, including at Forster this Summer when a beacon was instrumental in supporting the rescue of individuals caught in a rip current.
“The evidence is clear – this technology works, and we know it will make a key contribution to preventing drownings on our coastline.
“The beacons use technology that overcomes connectivity limitations, or ‘black spots’, in remote areas, providing a reliable option in an emergency.
“A day at the beach shouldn’t turn into a disaster, and this is one of several measures the NSW Government is taking to help ensure more people get home safely.”
Chief Executive of Surf Life Saving NSW Steve Pearce said in March 2024:
“We currently have 32 ERBs positioned along the coast, and they are proving their worth in allowing the public to immediately alert us to incidents and emergencies.
“We are looking at enhancements to the next generation of ERBs which could include having public rescue equipment attached to the units that people could use to keep themselves safe if they attempt a rescue.
“It’s all about using technology to improve how we respond to coastal incidents and, in the end, save more lives along the coast.”
NSW Minister for Emergency Services, The Hon. Jihad Dib at this years' Surf Life Saving NSW’s State Championships - the announcement took place afterwards at Shelly Beach
ERB Photos by Surf Life Saving NSW