Representatives from the NSW Government and Surf Lifesavers gathered at East Corrimal Beach on Monday to officially launch the Illawarra's newest Emergency Response Beacon. The installation of this exciting technology is just another way lifesavers are adapting to the needs of the 21st century beachgoer.
Minister for Emergency Services Troy Grant and Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steven Pearce were at East Corrimal Beach this morning alongside local council and lifeguard representatives for the unveilling.
Funded through a $136,500 NSW Government Water Safety Fund Community Grant, the ERB is the third to be deployed in the Illawarra, the others are located at Coniston and Puckeys beaches.
Weighing under 20 kilograms and utilising a 3G voice intercom, SMS functionality, and a camera, the unit will be located at an unpatrolled section of beach to the north of Corrimal and will enable lifeguards and lifesavers to respond rapidly in the event of an emergency.
Mr Grant said that the ERB will help reduce emergency response times at one of Illawarra’s most popular beaches.
“With the press of a button, the beacon allows immediate connection with the Surf Life Saving State Operations Centre and local lifeguards,” Mr Grant said.
“In an emergency every second counts, this technology means that the response time of our lifeguards is reduced as help can be quickly directed to where it is needed.
“Water safety is a priority for the NSW Government and these ERBs are part of a suite of measures to assist surf lifesavers and lifeguards to better protect the public on our beaches.”
Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steven Pearce said this type of technology will play an important part in saving lives.
“While we have 129 clubs around the state, we obviously can’t be everywhere at once. Using technology in this way enables us to better support lifesavers and lifeguards on the beach,” Mr Pearce said.
“The unit at Coniston has already been activated a number of times and has resulted in significantly improved response times and several successful rescues.”
An Emergency Response Beacon was installed at Greenhills Beach in the Sutherland Shire in December and additional units are planned for other locations during 2018.
Monday 26 March 2018