The SLSNSW Board convened on Thursday 26 March 2020 to discuss the ongoing impact of COVID-19, the stricter restrictions announced by Government and in return reconsider the position SLSNSW would maintain for the remainder of the 2019/20 patrolling season.

Effective immediately, all patrols by volunteer surf lifesavers on NSW beaches will be cancelled for the remainder of the 2019/20 season.

This unprecedented decision has been made to protect the safety and welfare of volunteer surf lifesavers from potential infection by the COVID-19 virus and to support the Government’s position in discouraging large gatherings of people on beaches across NSW.

SLSNSW will attempt to maintain adequate lifesaving response capability along the NSW coastline through;

• Emergency Club Call Out Teams that are to be rescue ready for any emergency response and taskings;
• Enhanced Support Operations (inclusive of Duty Officers and Rescue Watercraft) that will provide a roving visible presence ready to respond to emergency incidents;
• Continued Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) drone surveillance operations, with UAV pilots monitoring beach conditions, marine creature activity and assisting with search and rescue operations. SLSNSW UAV operators can work alone, adhering to social distancing guidelines, while providing very effective beach and coastline surveillance; and
• The SLSNSW State Operations Centre (SurfCom) will continue to operate and coordinate all emergency responses through the SLSNSW Emergency Response System. SurfCom will also continue to provide radio and incident support to both Branch Support Operations and UAV surveillance operations.

In summary, these arrangements will be maintained until the cessation of the 2019/20 season, commencing this Saturday 28 March 2020:

• Clubs are strongly encouraged to restrict surf club access to their members, other than Emergency Club Callout Teams, Branch Support Operations personnel who require access to clubs where equipment is stored, lifeguard services and UAV operators whom also operate from the club.
• Clubs are also requested to consult with their Branches to ensure that any Support Operation equipment housed within their clubhouse is easily accessible.

The SLSNSW Board would like to thank all Branches, Clubs and members for your continued patience and professionalism during these difficult and unprecedented times.

Click here to view the announcement by SLSNSW President George Shales

Click here to view SLSNSW Memo regarding the Cessation of Volunteer Patrolling Service

Following the announcement the club has taken the following actions

• Ensured that club equipment is "Rescue Ready"
  • 2 IRB's and 2 ATV's are setup in the Boat Shed
  • Airbag, First Aid Kit and Defib are in the "Yellow" ATV
  • 4 Radios are on charge in the Patrol Room
  • The First Aid Room has been cleaned and stocked
• Restricted access to the surf club building with the exception of Club Executive, Emergency Callout Team Members and Patrol Captains
  • There is to be no non-essential access to the surf club building, including Toilets, Change Rooms, Patrol Room, Main Hall, Boat Shed, Board Shed and IRB Shed.
  • This is not optional, no equipment is to be used by club members unless it is part of an Emergency Callout.
  • There is to be NO use of the equipment for training.
  • All access to the surf club building is montitored
• Deferred the April Club Executive Meeting until a later date
• Cancelled all Hall Hire's, including a number of birthday parties, a wedding, Mother's Day High Tea, Yoga and Barre Classes
• The Stanwell Park Sea Eels Winter Swimming Club has put their season on hold

While all of this may seem drastic, it is to ensure the safety of our members should there be an urgent need to access the surf club or when the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted the club can safely return to normal operations.

There are still a lot of things to happen before next season starts, so the committee are working on the following

• 2019/2020 Annual Report
• 2019/2020 Awards of Excellence and how to recognise members
• 2019/2020 Member Survey
• 2019/2020 Annual Financial Statements
• 2020/2021 Annual General Meeting
• 2020/2021 Patrol Roster
• Project to Make The Building Accessible
• Service Awards

SLSNSW has published lots of information in relation to COVID-19 and Life Saving, they are continually providing updated on their COVID-19 webpages - http://bit.ly/SLSNSWCOVID-19

If you have any questions or concerns please contact myself or any of the members of the Executive Committee.

With Thanks,

Steven

Steven McDonald | Life Member | President
Helensburgh-Stanwell Park Surf Life Saving Club
T +61-2-4630-8307 | M +61-419-250-937
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