State Rescue Board Of New South Wales
Annual Report 2012-2013
State Rescue Board of NSW Annual Report 2012-2013 2
CONTENTS SECTION 1: STATE RESCUE BOARD ..................................................................................... 6
Role and Functions .................................................................................................................. 6
State Rescue Board Membership ........................................................................................... 7
State Rescue Board Executive Support ................................................................................... 8
SECTION 2: RESCUE AGENCY REPORTS ............................................................................... 9
Ambulance Service of NSW..................................................................................................... 9
Fire & Rescue NSW ............................................................................................................... 10
Marine Rescue NSW ............................................................................................................. 12
NSW Police Force .................................................................................................................. 14
NSW State Emergency Service .............................................................................................. 16
NSW Volunteer Rescue Association ...................................................................................... 18
SECTION 3: ADVISORY COMMITTEES TO THE BOARD ........................................................ 20
Policy Advisory Committee ................................................................................................... 20
Working Groups and Sub Committees ................................................................................. 20
SECTION 4: RESCUE ACCREDITATION................................................................................ 24
Changes in General Land Rescue Accreditation ................................................................... 24
Changes in Marine Rescue Accreditation ............................................................................. 24
Changes in Flood Rescue Accreditation ................................................................................ 25
SECTION 5: OPERATIONS ................................................................................................. 26
Road Rescue Operations ....................................................................................................... 26
Marine Search and Rescue Operations................................................................................. 26
SECTION 6: FUNDING ....................................................................................................... 28
Government funding for multi agency rescue exercises ...................................................... 28
Government funding for volunteer marine rescue .............................................................. 28
Government funding for volunteer organisations providing land rescue services .................................................................................................................................. 31
SECTION 7: RESCUE TRAINING ......................................................................................... 32
SECTION 8: REGIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE REPORTS ...................................................... 33
Central West Region ............................................................................................................. 33
Far West Region .................................................................................................................... 34
Hunter Central Coast Region ................................................................................................ 35
Illawarra South Coast Region ................................................................................................ 35
New England Region ............................................................................................................. 36
North Coast Region ............................................................................................................... 36
North West Metropolitan Region ......................................................................................... 38
Riverina Murray Region ........................................................................................................ 38
South Eastern Region ............................................................................................................ 40
South West Metropolitan Region ......................................................................................... 41
Sydney Metropolitan Region ................................................................................................ 42
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SECTION 9: APPENDICIES ................................................................................................. 43
Appendix A: State Rescue Board Meeting Attendance ........................................................ 43
Appendix B: Summary of General Land Rescue and Vertical Rescue Accreditations as at 30 June 2013 ........................................................................................ 44
Appendix C: General Land Rescue and Vertical Rescue Accredited Units by Emergency Management Region as at 30 June 2013 ........................................................... 45
Appendix D: Summary of Marine Rescue Accreditations as at 30 June 2013 ...................... 54
Appendix E: Independent Auditor Report and Financial Statements .................................. 57
List of Tables
Table 4.1: Changes in General Land Rescue Accreditations 2012-2013 ............................... 24 Table 4.2: Changes in Marine Rescue Accreditations 2012-2013 ........................................ 24 Table 4.3: Flood Rescue Accreditations 2012-2013 .............................................................. 25 Table 5.1: Road Rescue Incidents 2012-2013 ....................................................................... 26 Table 5.2: Marine Search and Rescue Incidents 2008-2009 to 2012-2013 .......................... 27 Table 6.1: Expenditure of Government Funding for Marine Rescue NSW 2012-2013 ............................................................................................................................. 29 Table 6.2: NSW Volunteer Rescue Association Report on Grant Expenditure 2012-2013 ............................................................................................................................. 31 Table 7.1: Number of Qualified Rescue Operators by Rescue Agency as at 30 June 2013 ......................................................................................................................... 32 Table 9.1: State Rescue Board Meeting Attendance ............................................................ 43 Table 9.2: Accreditation by Region as at 30 June 2013 ........................................................ 44 Table 9.3: Accreditation by Rescue Agency as at 30 June 2013 ........................................... 44
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INTRODUCTION
This report has been compiled in accordance with section 49A of the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989 to describe the work and activities of the State Rescue Board of New South Wales during the financial year 2012-2013. The Ministry for Police and Emergency Services provides administrative support to the State Rescue Board and reports on relevant administrative matters.
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FOREWORD BY STATE RESCUE BOARD CHAIR Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons AFSM, NSW Rural Fire Service The State Rescue Board is established under section 42 (1) of the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989. The State Rescue Board is chaired by the Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service as an independent agency. Membership is made up of representatives from key rescue agencies including the NSW Police Force, Fire & Rescue NSW, Ambulance Service of NSW, NSW State Emergency Service, NSW Volunteer Rescue Association and Marine Rescue NSW. The principal function of the State Rescue Board is to ensure the maintenance of efficient and effective rescue services throughout NSW. The State Rescue Board plays an integral role in developing policies to promote the provision of comprehensive, balanced and co-ordinated rescue services. During the reporting period, the Board endorsed a number of changes to the NSW State Rescue Policy, training standards, directives, protocols and operating procedures. The State Rescue Board also implemented the recommendations in the Inshore Water Rescue Report. The NSW State Rescue Policy describes the State’s approach to rescue management, the governance and coordination arrangements and the roles and responsibilities of agencies in rescue. The NSW State Rescue Policy was last reviewed in 2005. In March 2013, the State Rescue Board established a working group to undertake a comprehensive review of the policy. The review will enhance the operation of the policy ensuring it is in line with current legislation and practices. This work has commenced and will continue through the next reporting period. Each year a number of accredited rescue units, comprising of both paid workers and volunteers from a number of rescue agencies, spend an endless amount of hours training for and undertaking rescue operations. I would like to personally thank all of the personnel for their tireless dedication and ongoing commitment in providing rescue services to the community of NSW. Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons AFSM Chair, State Rescue Board of New South Wales
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SECTION 1: STATE RESCUE BOARD
Role and Functions The State Rescue Board is a statutory body constituted under section 42 of the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989. The primary function of the State Rescue Board is to ensure the maintenance of efficient and effective rescue services throughout NSW. The State Rescue Board carries out its responsibilities through the heads of the agencies that provide the accredited rescue units and through the NSW Police Force, which is responsible for the coordination of rescue within the State. In accordance with section 48 of the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act, the State Rescue Board is required to:
a) develop policies to promote the provision of comprehensive, balanced and co-ordinated rescue services throughout the State
b) make recommendations to the Minister on policy matters relating to the provision of rescue services within the State
c) review planning for single incident rescues within the State d) review and disseminate to relevant agencies technical information relating to rescue
operations e) ensure proper liaison and co-ordination with Federal and other State organisations
in connection with rescue services f) provide advice and recommendations on the compatibility of rescue equipment,
including communications equipment g) make recommendations to the Minister on the accreditation of rescue units (both
permanent and volunteer) for participation in rescue operations h) make recommendations to the Minister on levels of government support (including
financial assistance under section 60 of the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act to volunteer organisations providing rescue services
i) assist in the conduct of training exercises in rescue operations involving the various agencies concerned
j) monitor the training standards of the permanent and volunteer services in rescue k) review proposals for amendment of legislation relating to rescue and make
recommendations to the Minister l) make reports or recommendations to the Minister on any matter referred to the
State Rescue Board by the Minister. Local and Regional Rescue Committees are established under the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act to assist the State Rescue Board in the exercise of its functions and, in particular, assist in determining whether the accreditation of a rescue unit to operate in the relevant local or regional area should be recommended to the Minister.
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State Rescue Board Membership Chair NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons AFSM Members State Emergency Operations Controller (SEOCON) Deputy Commissioner Nick Kaldas APM Fire & Rescue NSW Commissioner Greg Mullins AFSM Ambulance Service of NSW A/Chief Executive Mike Willis ASM Commissioner Ray Creen ASM NSW State Emergency Service Commissioner Murray Kear AFSM NSW Volunteer Rescue Association Commissioner Mark Gibson ESM NSW Police Force Assistant Commissioner Alan Clarke APM Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Stacey Tannos ESM Details of meeting dates and attendance during the reporting year are included in Appendix A.
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State Rescue Board Executive Support Executive support to the State Rescue Board is provided by the Ministry for Police and Emergency Services. The role of the Executive Officer of the State Rescue Board during 2012-2013 was undertaken by the Director of Response and Recovery, Ms Rachel Nibbs (July to August 2013) and Director of Boards and Committees, Ms Natalie Marsic (September 2012 to June 2013).
Ministry for Police and Emergency Services is located at: Level 2, Quad 1, 8 Parkview Drive Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127 Phone: (02) 8247 5900 Facsimile: (02) 8247 5951 Web: www.mpes.nsw.gov.au
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SECTION 2: RESCUE AGENCY REPORTS Ambulance Service of NSW To support state rescue operations in rural NSW, Ambulance Service of NSW has six primary accredited rescue units with 70 rescue operators. With a further rescue course scheduled in August 2013, this number will rise to 80 personnel trained to the State Rescue Board standard. A further 125 Paramedics are trained in special operations roles which enable them to provide pre-hospital clinical care in rescue/disaster situations and to support other agencies in any environment. Additionally, there are 60 Special Casualty Access Paramedics that participate in remote rescue operations. Achievements for 2012-2013
Continual improvement in capacity, training and equipment.
Completion of three Swift Water Rescue Technician courses with 23 participants, bringing the total number of swift water technicians to 65.
Ten participant’s trialled an Advanced Swift Water Technician course.
All Ambulance Service of NSW rescue units and the Special Operations Unit accredited for flood rescue.
Preparedness and Prevention Activities for 2012-2013
A Special Operations Team and Rescue Operators course was conducted during the reporting period with another course scheduled for August 2013.
Thirteen rescue operators were recertified, maintaining 100 per cent rescue operator certification.
Ambulance Service of NSW continued its Swift Water Rescue Program with further technicians, advanced technician and awareness recertification courses.
Sixteen Special Operations Paramedics and Ambulance Service of NSW Doctors have completed an Urban Search and Rescue Canine Health and Advanced First Aid course, run in conjunction with Fire & Rescue NSW and University of Sydney Veterinary Teaching Hospital, to care for specialist search and rescue dogs during urban search and rescue deployment.
Ambulance Service of NSW continues to participate in multi agency exercises.
Ambulance Service of NSW continues to be represented on various State Rescue Board committees.
Significant Operations/Activities for 2012-2013
In January, February and March 2013, Ambulance Service of NSW deployed swift water technicians and trained Special Operations Paramedics to Port Macquarie, Taree and Coffs Harbour to assist the NSW State Emergency Service with flood work.
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Fire & Rescue NSW Fire & Rescue NSW’s mission is to save lives and property and to protect the environment from fires, emergencies and other disasters. Fire & Rescue NSW’s core functions are emergency and disaster prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. It delivers these functions through fire prevention and suppression, rescue, hazardous material response, community safety and community prevention and supports other agencies during prolonged emergency events and participates in terrorism consequence management arrangements. Fire & Rescue NSW carries out all types of general land rescue, including industrial, motor vehicle, domestic, and high angle rescue at selected locations, and is the combat agency for major building collapse which is known as urban search and rescue. Achievements for 2012-2013 In September 2012, the United Nations announced that the NSW Heavy Urban Search and Rescue Task Force had been successful in achieving accreditation following an International Search and Rescue Advisory Group External Classification exercise. The exercise was held over three days in Sydney and at Whyte Island in Queensland. This is a significant achievement as there are only three countries in the world that have two accredited Heavy Task Forces - the USA, Japan, and now Australia (Fire & Rescue NSW and Queensland Fire and Rescue Service). In July 2013, a new ‘Automatic Vehicle Location system’ linked to the computer aided dispatch system was rolled out. By June 2014, the whole of Fire & Rescue NSW’s appliance fleet will be dispatched using this system. This new technology ensures that the fastest appliance is always selected and dispatched, rather than basing decisions on the street address of fire stations. Senior fire fighter Anthony Hatch developed a horse rescue training package in conjunction with the Australian Veterinary Association following the completion of a Churchill Fellowship. This package has now been delivered across NSW. Preparedness and Prevention Activities for 2012-2013 Fire & Rescue NSW is in the process of upgrading its disaster and urban search and rescue equipment caches in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong. The upgraded equipment will not only enhance the organisation’s United Nations accredited urban search and rescue response capability in the Asia-Pacific area, but will greatly assist with large scale local incidents and day-to-day technical rescues. The equipment upgrades include search and rescue gear, communications systems and remote area field living capabilities. As Fire & Rescue NSW also has a major role to play in consequence management following terrorist incidents, the recent improvements will assist with multi agency training and counter terrorism response.
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Significant Operations/Activities for 2012-2013 Structural collapse at Eastgardens Shopping Centre On the morning of Tuesday 24 July 2012, Fire & Rescue NSW responded to a fire alarm at Eastgardens Shopping Centre. Crews found that a nine metre beam in the car park had collapsed, damaging the sprinkler system and potentially causing a major structural collapse at the shopping centre. Subsequently, urban search and rescue and other specialist resources attended the scene. Initially 20 people were evacuated from shops above the collapsed area and a 400 metre exclusion zone put in place. Engineering advice was urgently sought as cracks grew bigger and there was potential for a domino type collapse. The entire complex was evacuated. Surrounding streets including Bunnerong Road, Banks Road and Wentworth Avenue were closed to traffic. Urban search and rescue trained structural engineers from the NSW Department of Finance & Services (Public Works) checked building plans and assessed the structure, then worked with urban search and rescue fire fighters who shored up the building using props. Crews remained on the scene into the night in order to provide a quick response should further collapse occur during the remedial work. The building was not opened until the next morning when cars remaining in the car park collapse zone were allowed to be removed. Passengers rescued from monorail On the afternoon of Monday 24 September 2012, Fire & Rescue NSW crews responded to calls from people trapped in monorail cars in Sydney’s central business district. A power outage in the area had stranded two sets of cars on the 3.6 km monorail loop. One car with approximately 50 people inside was stuck on Darling Drive on the western side of Darling Harbour, whilst another was stuck at the intersection of Liverpool and Day Streets. Twenty seven people, including children, were trapped inside the second car. The power outage also meant air conditioning was not operating leading to concerns of rising temperature inside the cars. Fire & Rescue NSW responded with three ladder platform units from City of Sydney, Glebe and Darlinghurst. Fire fighters used the platforms to reach the stranded monorail cars where they forced the doors open, allowing Ambulance paramedics to enter and check the condition of those inside. Fire fighters then progressively evacuated people to safety. Ambulance paramedics assessed approximately 30 people for dehydration. Power was eventually restored to the area over two hours later. Prior to this, fire fighters had carried out regular drills to rehearse procedures to respond to such an incident. This highlighted the value of exercises, enabling evacuations to proceed efficiently.
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Marine Rescue NSW Marine Rescue NSW provides a marine safety net for boaters on NSW coastal waters. Volunteers support the boating community by providing:
search and rescue and other emergency assistance
monitoring of marine radio communications
boating safety education, advice and information. Marine Rescue NSW is accredited by the State Rescue Board and is tasked to undertake search and rescue by the NSW Police Force Marine Area Command. Marine Rescue NSW receives financial support from the NSW Government through a direct grant and from the boating public who contribute through a levy placed on boat licences and registrations. Marine Rescue NSW has more than 3,200 volunteer members and operates 83 rescue vessels from 47 units spread across six regions from Point Danger in the north to Eden in the south. In keeping with the requirements of the Service Delivery Model commissioned by the State Government, Marine Rescue NSW has extended its services to significant inland waterways. Two new units have now been established on the Alpine Lakes (Lakes Jindabyne and Eucumbene) and the Murray River at Moama, bringing the total number of units to 47. Marine Rescue NSW also routinely supports other emergency service organisations and a range of community events. Achievements for 2012-2013 During the 2012-2013 reporting period:
members responded to a total of 1,062 notifiable incidents and 2,164 other assists, handled 369,991 radio calls, 71,962 requests to log on vessels travelling locally and 12,355 off-shore tracking requests
Marine Rescue NSW established a permanent State Headquarters and the first operating base for two marine rescue units at Botany Bay and at Port Hacking on the Hungry Point Reserve at Cronulla
Marine Rescue NSW completed the review of the State Rescue Board’s Marine Standing Operating Procedures.
Preparedness and Prevention Activities for 2012-2013
Marine Rescue NSW ordered 14 new and refurbished vessels worth $2.5 million in 2012-2013, bringing the total number to more than 30, at a cost of $9 million.
Marine Rescue NSW introduced a new ‘Radio Over Internet Protocol’ communications system to enhance monitoring of marine radio (VHF and 27MHz) transmissions and provide a valuable redundancy in the organisation’s radio system.
Marine Rescue NSW was granted pre-accreditation approval for three marine rescue units at Alpine Lakes, Moama and Toukley.
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Significant Operations/Activities for 2012-2013
Marine Rescue NSW volunteers undertook 1,062 rescue operations, including rescuing people from the water, towing vessels in peril along the coastline, and supporting the NSW Police Force Marine Area Command and other marine agencies in searches for missing people.
Participated in coordinated multi agency marine search and rescue training exercises throughout 2012-2013 staged at Batemans Bay (July) Greenwell Point (October), Coffs Harbour (November), Point Danger (November), Ballina (February), Lake Jindabyne (February) and Broken Bay (March).
Established a State Operations and Communications Centre at its new State Headquarters at Cronulla.
Units at Sussex Inlet, Shoalhaven and Kioloa provided support for the NSW Rural Fire Service Deans Gap bushfire operation on 8 January 2013.
Marine Rescue Nambucca provided operational support to the Clarence-Nambucca State Emergency Service during floods on the Australia Day long weekend.
Members of Marine Rescue Brunswick provided radio communications support to the Mullumbimby State Emergency Service during the response to major storms and floods on 27 January 2013 and again during torrential rainfall three weeks later.
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NSW Police Force The NSW Police Force is one of the world’s largest policing organisations and the combat agency for law enforcement, bomb/chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives related response and the coordination of search and rescue. The NSW Police Force Rescue & Bomb Disposal Unit is located at Alexandria. Police Rescue units are location in the Blue Mountains, Lismore, Lake Illawarra, Newcastle, Goulburn, Bathurst and the Far South Coast. Key roles of the NSW Police Force are to:
deliver rescue (vertical rescue, swift water rescue, general land rescue) services, coordinate land search and rescue across NSW, provide the community of NSW a bomb/chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives response capability and provide specialist operational and logistical support to the NSW Police Force
deliver major emergency incident operational and logistical support
provide land search and rescue coordination and deploy search coordination teams
deploy Bomb Response and Bomb Appraisal Teams for improvised explosive devices, incendiary devices and hazardous explosive material
provide appraisal and coordination for the collection of and render safe of unexploded military ordnance
provide NSW Police Force chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives response teams
provide strategic oversight of all NSW Police Force rescue units located at Lismore, Blue Mountains, Goulburn, Bathurst, Lake Illawarra, Newcastle and Far South Coast
deliver specialised rescue, land search and rescue, bomb response training and accreditation to Police rescue units across NSW
head of profession for land search and rescue coordination. Achievements for 2012-2013
Participation and engagement in the State Rescue Board Policy Advisory Committee, State Rescue Policy Review Working Group and Multi Agency Rescue Exercise Working Group.
Involvement in the Vertical Rescue Working Group and practical vertical rescue workshops.
Continued participation with respect to training and accreditation of rescue arrangements throughout NSW.
Preparedness and Prevention Activities for 2012-2013
Level 3 flood rescue accreditation obtained for all NSW Police Force rescue units.
Participation of NSW Police Force regional rescue units in the National Search and Rescue (NATSAR) Managers course.
Multi agency search and rescue exercise at Barrington Tops.
Conduct of State Rescue Board funded multi agency land search and rescue/remote area operations workshops at Goulburn and Blue Mountains.
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Rural vertical rescue exercise, OTIS in Narromine multi agency activity.
NSW Volunteer Rescue Association NAVEX activity central west of NSW.
Vertical rescue capital enhancement of equipment across all units and capability up skilling of operators through specialist climbing courses.
Advanced Vertical Rescue Instructors course conducted in the Blue Mountains.
Western Region Police Rescue Operators course conducted in Bathurst. Significant Operations/Activities for 2012-2013
Operational deployment of NSW Police Force flood rescue teams in support of NSW State Emergency Service flood operations northern NSW (Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Taree and Kempsey).
Provision of NSW Police Force rescue operators for aerial support to flood operations, northern region.
Eighteen persons rescued in flash flooding in Wentworth Falls Valley.
Retrieval of bodies in crashed helicopter in Wollongong.
Significant coordination of multi agency land search and rescue exercise in Kosciuszko National Park.
Deployment of NSW Police Force rescue teams to Coonabarabran fires for operational and emergency incident support.
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NSW State Emergency Service The NSW State Emergency Service is the combat agency for flood, storm and tsunami. The NSW State Emergency Service also has capability in general land and vertical rescue. The NSW State Emergency Service currently maintains 81 general land rescue accredited units including 74 primary and 7 secondary units. These rescue units responded to a total of 717 road crash incidents in 2012-2013 which is an increase from 661 in the previous year. Over the reporting period, the Hawkesbury unit was the most active of the general land rescue units as they were activated on 76 road crash rescues. This was followed by the Wingecarribee unit who responded to 52 activations and Coffs Harbour unit to 34. Thirty vertical rescue units are also maintained. These rescue units responded to a total of 29 vertical rescue incidents in the 2012-2013 financial year. The NSW State Emergency Service also has a strong flood rescue capability with 1,524 level 1, 1,427 level 2 and 343 level 3 flood rescue operators. The NSW State Emergency Service has the largest flood rescue fleet nationally with a total of 382 boats. During 2012-2013 there were 139 flood rescue activations taking a total of 1,443 volunteer hours to complete. Achievements for 2012-2013 The NSW State Emergency Service Height Equipment Working Group improved the organisation’s working at heights capability. Extensive research led to the development of a holistic Heights Safety System, based on a proof of concept and practical adaption approach. With new policies, processes and additional equipment, this system has now been implemented across the entire organisation and has enabled a major shift in height safety. The Urban Search and Rescue Canine Unit is a joint venture between Fire & Rescue NSW and the NSW State Emergency Service. In September 2012, the NSW Taskforce 1 Australia, which includes four NSW State Emergency Service Canine Teams, was chosen to participate in a mock disaster zone exercise. The exercise was conducted through an International Search and Rescue Advisory Group Secretariat and designed to test all aspects of urban search and rescue operations in a simulated 72 hour assessment. The NSW State Emergency Service Urban Search and Rescue Teams were commended by the International External Classifiers for effective canine search, location and victim identification. Preparedness and Prevention Activities for 2012-2013 Supported by the State Rescue Board’s Vertical Rescue Working Group, the NSW State Emergency Service Height Equipment Working Group delivered four vertical rescue workshops during 2012-2013. It is acknowledged that whilst each agency undertakes similar training and operational responses, there are differences in approach in the application of rescue skills. This multi agency cooperation will ensure all NSW emergency service organisations have a common understanding of the enhanced techniques and skills required within vertical rescue operations.
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Significant Rescue Operations/Activities for 2012-2013 Alpine Search for Missing Canadian Hiker – May 2013 The NSW State Emergency Service Alpine Search Teams provided assistance to the NSW Police Force in the Kosciusko National Park for a missing Canadian national. The eight days of NSW State Emergency Service involvement saw 8-10 volunteers participating each day, equating to 60-80 search days in total. Severe Weather/Thunderstorm, Eastern NSW In February 2013, a severe thunderstorm occurred in parts of the South West Slopes, Riverina, Snowy Mountains, Southern Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains and Illawarra. Forty four communities and approximately 8,600 people across the state were isolated due to flooding. The NSW State Emergency Service received a total of 1,570 requests for assistance during this event which included re-supply requests from isolated communities and 42 flood rescues. On 24 February 2013, what has been referred to as a ‘family of tornadoes’ impacted the Illawarra. Numerous streets and houses were affected including 25 houses sustaining major damage and 14 deemed beyond repair. The Kiama Fire Station was also extensively damaged. Thirty residents were evacuated and public access to Kiama was restricted due to extensive infrastructure damage, debris and power lines down. To make the clean up even more complex there was asbestos amongst the debris. The NSW State Emergency Service worked in conjunction with the Local Emergency Operations Controller, who managed an exclusion zone and evacuated 300 residents for up to a week whilst the asbestos cleanup was carried out. This allowed the NSW State Emergency Service to focus on over 700 outstanding requests for assistance. Severe Weather/Mulwala Tornado – March 2013 On 21 March 2013, a tornado classified F3 on the Fujita Scale (wind speed between 251 and 333km/h) caused significant damage across northeast Victoria and southern NSW particularly to the east of the Murray River township of Mulwala, severely damaging several houses and almost completely destroying the Denison County Caravan Park. Twelve people were in residence when the tornado struck with four of them seriously injured. Up to 20 permanent residents were evacuated and provided with temporary accommodation whilst hazardous materials, including asbestos, were removed. Severe Weather/Thunderstorm, Various Areas – January 2013 A Severe Weather Warning was issued as a result of ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald which moved slowly from northern NSW, tracking steadily southwards and producing widespread heavy rain over much of eastern NSW. The NSW State Emergency Service received a total of 4,474 requests for assistance including 86 flood rescues. Evacuation Orders were issued to nine communities in northern NSW, affecting over 5,000 residents. Approximately 1,200 NSW State Emergency Service volunteers responded to operations during this period, which included over 40 NSW State Emergency Service flood rescue operators.
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NSW Volunteer Rescue Association The NSW Volunteer Rescue Association has performed rescue services to the community of NSW for 44 years. Its primary role is to provide support to all emergency services within NSW. The NSW Volunteer Rescue Association is also the primary response rescue unit for 42 locations within NSW with the majority of these being located in regional areas. The NSW Volunteer Rescue Association has 16 specialist squads that support emergency service agencies. These include Bushwalkers, Cave Rescue, WICEN - the Wireless Institute of Australia, Citizens Radio Emergency Service Teams, Australian Aerial Patrol, Australian Civil Air Patrol, Burrendong Dam Rescue Squad, Community First Aid Support Team, Hawkesbury River Rescue Incorporated, National Service for Loss and Grief, Namoi Air Patrol, Nymboida Wilderness Rescue Team, Penrith Volunteer Rescue Association support unit, South Coast Volunteer Rescue Association support unit, Ski Patrol Association and the Tweed Coast Volunteer Rescue Association. Rolling statistics for 2012-2013 were:
12,117 operational tasks
134,594 operational hours
136,721 non-operational hours
271,316 total volunteer hours. The 12,117 incidents attended by the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association included rescues involving aircraft, domestic, industrial, inland water, motor vehicle accidents, road and rail accidents, vertical/cliff rescues, land searches, body recoveries, 176 animal rescues and assistance to other emergency services on 251 occasions. The NSW Volunteer Rescue Association acknowledges the support of the NSW State Government and the NRMA for their continued and valued support during the 2012-2013 period. Achievements for 2012-2013 The NSW Volunteer Rescue Association Registered Training Organisation became operational during the reporting period. Nine competency based training weekends were held over the reporting period resulting in the issue of:
8 x Induction Statements of Attainment
17 x PUA 21312 Cert II certificates
48 x PUA 30412 Cert III certificates
6 x PUA 40212 Cert IV certificates.
These competency based training weekends will be continued over the following 12 months.
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The NSW Volunteer Rescue Association Vertical Training Team also held nine workshop/training weekends. As a result, the association now has 54 vertical qualified operators with an equivalent number in training to gain this certification. Preparedness and Prevention Activities for 2012-2013 During 2012-2013, the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association hosted the multi agency exercise “Navshield” at Colo River. Seventy five teams entered, which represented about 290 participants. The event was held over two days and was well supported by emergency service organisations. This annual exercise is organised by volunteers at various undisclosed locations. The NSW Volunteer Rescue Association has also commenced a replacement program for redundant and heavy road rescue equipment which was made possible through a grant from the NRMA. Significant Operations/Activities for 2012-2013 The NSW Volunteer Rescue Association assisted emergency service organisations during the natural disasters that occurred in NSW in January and February 2013. This included their largest response in Coonabarabran on Sunday 13 January 2013 when the Warrumbungle National Park Fire Ground was impacted by bush fire. For a ten day period following the event the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association assisted with 5,006 man hours at the disaster site and rotated 212 volunteers from eight regional rescue squads through the Coonabarabran Volunteer Rescue Association headquarters. After the event had finished, the Coonabarabran Rural Fire Service and Coonabarabran Volunteer Rescue Association commenced formal cooperative arrangements between the two organisations. First Aid and Oxygen Therapy training is now being delivered by the NSW Rural Fire Service for NSW Volunteer Rescue Association members to ensure a high state of operational readiness, whilst the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association is assisting the NSW Rural Fire Service with storm tempest assistance and manpower for ancillary operations in return. In addition, some NSW Rural Fire Service members joined the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association and achieved the State Rescue Board qualification as basic rescue operators. This will enable volunteer numbers for callouts to remain at a satisfactory level for incidents that require the two services to respond together. NSW Volunteer Rescue Association members also joined the NSW Rural Fire Service so they too can assist in conducting operations on the fire ground. In country areas of NSW, volunteer numbers have been in decline for the past ten years or so. It is viewed as the way of the future that like minded volunteer organisations assist each other and ensure the safety of the general public in times of emergencies. This can be maintained by having flexible memberships and associated training.
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SECTION 3: ADVISORY COMMITTEES TO THE BOARD Policy Advisory Committee The Policy Advisory Committee was established in 2008 to consider and provide advice to the State Rescue Board on rescue policy and other issues as requested. The Policy Advisory Committee is chaired by the Executive Officer of the State Rescue Board. Membership comprises of senior representatives from Ambulance Service of NSW, Fire & Rescue NSW, Marine Rescue NSW, NSW Police Force, NSW State Emergency Service and NSW Volunteer Rescue Association. Executive support is provided by the Ministry for Police and Emergency Services. The Policy Advisory Committee met four times in 2012-2013. During the reporting period, the Policy Advisory Committee made a number of recommendations to the State Rescue Board in relation to:
changes in rescue accreditation and rescue response arrangements
amendments to the State Rescue Policy including inshore rescue, rescue vehicle drivers, medical emergency access and training
the funding of local and regional rescue exercises
combining the Wollongong, Kiama and Shellharbour Local Rescue Committees into a single Illawarra Local Rescue Committee
combining the Armidale Dumaresq/Uralla, Guyra and Walcha Local Rescue Committees into a single New England Local Rescue Committee
updating the minimum training standards for general land rescue and marine rescue
strategic directions for multi agency rescue exercises for the 2013-2014 financial year
updating the State Rescue Board Marine Standing Operating Procedures.
Working Groups and Sub Committees The State Rescue Board has also established a number of working groups to assist with the exercise of its functions and provide advice on specific issues through the Policy Advisory Committee. Vertical Rescue Working Group The Vertical Rescue Working Group was established to consider and provide advice on vertical rescue issues and to review arrangements for vertical rescue in NSW. The Vertical Rescue Working Group is chaired by the NSW Police Force and comprises key representatives from the NSW Police Force, Fire & Rescue NSW, Ambulance Service of NSW, NSW State Emergency Service and NSW Volunteer Rescue Association. Executive support is provided by the Ministry for Police and Emergency Services.
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The Vertical Rescue Working Group met six times during the reporting period. The primary focus of the group was to finalise the comprehensive, risk management based analysis and review of Vertical Rescue in NSW as requested by the State Rescue Board. As part of this review the group:
undertook an assessment of the Vertical Rescue Service Delivery Model which was completed by all Local Rescue Committees, where established, or Regional Rescue Committees in NSW
drafted a definition of vertical rescue
drafted a framework for the report to the State Rescue Board on the Vertical Rescue Service Delivery Model.
The group also completed a review of the Vertical Rescue Directive and minimum training standards for vertical rescue. Rescue Data Working Group
The Rescue Data Working Group was established to review the method, extent and validity of rescue data being collected on behalf of the State Rescue Board and to develop a framework for State Rescue Board rescue data collection across the spectrum of land and marine rescue operations.
The Rescue Data Working Group is chaired by the NSW Police Force and comprises key representatives from Fire & Rescue NSW, NSW Volunteer Rescue Association, Marine Rescue NSW, Ambulance Service of NSW and NSW State Emergency Service. Executive support is provided by Ministry for Police and Emergency Services.
The Group met once during the reporting period and undertook a significant amount of work out of session to produce the State Rescue Board Annual Statistical Report. Rescue Training Working Group The Rescue Training Working Group was established in 2011 by the State Rescue Board to replace the previous Training Advisory Committee. The primary purpose of the Rescue Training Working Group is to consider and provide advice to the State Rescue Board on rescue training issues. The Rescue Training Working Group reports to the State Rescue Board through the Policy Advisory Committee. The Rescue Training Working Group is chaired by the NSW Police Force and comprises key representatives from the NSW Police Force, Fire & Rescue NSW, Ambulance Service of NSW, NSW State Emergency Service, NSW Volunteer Rescue Association and Marine Rescue NSW. Executive support is provided by the Ministry for Police and Emergency Services. The Rescue Training Working Group met once during the reporting period and completed a series of work including:
the development of a Rescue Vehicle Drivers Directive
amendments to the State Rescue Policy in relation to rescue vehicle driver training
review of the minimum training standards for general land rescue
review of the minimum training standards for marine rescue.
State Rescue Board of NSW Annual Report 2012-2013 22
Rural Service Delivery Model Working Group
The Rural Service Delivery Model Working Group was established to assist in providing a more equitable and efficient method of planning and resourcing of general land rescue services in NSW. The Rural Service Delivery Model Working Group is chaired by the Ministry for Police and Emergency Services with membership drawn from the NSW Police Force, Fire & Rescue NSW, Ambulance Service of NSW, NSW State Emergency Service and NSW Volunteer Rescue Association. Executive support is provided by the Ministry for Police and Emergency Services.
The Rural Service Delivery Model Working Group is tasked by and reports to the Policy Advisory Committee. The group met once in 2012-2013 and also finalised the Rural Service Delivery Model Report which was approved by the State Rescue Board in June 2013. Multi Agency Rescue Exercise Working Group The Multi Agency Rescue Exercise Working Group was formed by the State Rescue Board on 7 March 2013. The Multi Agency Rescue Exercise Working Group is chaired by the Ministry for Police and Emergency Services and comprises of representatives from Ambulance Service of NSW, Fire & Rescue NSW, Marine Rescue NSW, NSW Police Force and NSW State Emergency Service. Executive support is provided by the Ministry for Police and Emergency Services. The Multi Agency Rescue Exercise Working Group reports to the State Rescue Board through the Policy Advisory Committee. The role of the Multi Agency Rescue Exercises Working Group is to:
recommend strategic direction for multi agency rescue exercises for the 2013-2014 financial year
develop a multi agency rescue exercise program for the 2013-2014 financial year
direct, plan, manage and coordinate the multi agency rescue exercise program for the 2013-2014 financial year
evaluate multi agency rescue exercise outcomes and report to the State Rescue Board through the Policy Advisory Committee
manage the allocated funding for the 2013-2014 financial year for multi agency rescue exercises.
The inaugural meeting of the Multi Agency Rescue Exercise Working Group was held on 9 April 2013 and agreed to:
strategic directions for exercises for the 2013-2014 financial year
two regional level exercises (marine search and rescue and land search and rescue) in the 2013-2014 financial year.
The strategic directions and exercises for the 2013-2014 financial year were endorsed by the Policy Advisory Committee and State Rescue Board.
State Rescue Board of NSW Annual Report 2012-2013 23
State Rescue Policy Review Working Group The State Rescue Policy Review Working Group was formed by the State Rescue Board on 7 March 2013 to undertake a review of the NSW State Rescue Policy. The State Rescue Policy Review Working Group is chaired by the Ministry for Police and Emergency Services and comprises of representatives from Fire & Rescue NSW, Marine Rescue NSW, NSW Police Force and the NSW State Emergency Service. Executive support is provided by the Ministry for Police and Emergency Services. The State Rescue Policy Review Working Group reports to the State Rescue Board through the Policy Advisory Committee. The inaugural meeting was held on 11 April 2013. The State Rescue Policy Review Working Group agreed to a new draft framework for the State Rescue Policy and is in the process of reviewing the content. State Marine Rescue Consultative Committee The Terms of Reference for the State Marine Rescue Consultative Committee was endorsed by the State Rescue Board on 28 November 2012. The mission is to develop and maintain an effective, efficient and an integrated state marine search and rescue system that meets national and state requirements and adopts best practice. The State Marine Rescue Consultative Committee reports to the State Rescue Board through the Policy Advisory Committee on all matters pertaining to maritime search and rescue matters. The State Marine Rescue Consultative Committee is chaired by NSW Police Force Marine Area Command and comprises of representatives from Roads and Maritime Services, Surf Life Saving NSW, Marine Rescue NSW, Australian Maritime Safety Authority, NSW Boat Owners Association, NSW Boating Industry Association, Ministry for Police and Emergency Services and Yachting NSW. Executive support is provided by the NSW Police Force Marine Area Command. The State Marine Rescue Consultative Committee met once during the reporting period.
State Rescue Board of NSW Annual Report 2012-2013 24
SECTION 4: RESCUE ACCREDITATION Under the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989, the State Rescue Board is required to make recommendations to the Minister on the accreditation of rescue units (both permanent and volunteer) for participation in rescue operations (section 48(1h)). In support of this duty, both local and regional rescue committees are required to make recommendations on the accreditation of rescue units in their respective areas. The State Rescue Board made a number of recommendations to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services regarding rescue accreditation during 2012-2013. The changes endorsed by the Minister during the reporting period are detailed in the tables below.
Changes in General Land Rescue Accreditation Table 4.1: Changes in General Land Rescue Accreditations 2012-2013
Rescue Agency Unit Accreditation Change
Volunteer Rescue Association Murrurundi Cessation of general land rescue and vertical rescue accreditation
Volunteer Rescue Association Binalong Cessation of vertical rescue accreditation
Fire & Rescue NSW Newcastle Accreditation for vertical rescue
As at 30 June 2013, there were 199 primary and 119 secondary accredited land rescue units in NSW. There were 77 units accredited for vertical rescue operations. General land rescue and vertical rescue accreditations as at 30 June 2013 are detailed in Appendix B. Accreditations by emergency management region are detailed in Appendix C.
Changes in Marine Rescue Accreditation Table 4.2: Changes in Marine Rescue Accreditations 2012-2013
Rescue Agency Unit Accreditation
Marine Rescue NSW Moama Pre accreditation – marine rescue unit – category 1
Marine Rescue NSW Alpine Lakes Pre accreditation – marine rescue unit – category 1
Marine Rescue NSW Toukley Pre accreditation – marine rescue unit – category 1
At the end of the year, there were 17 Search and Rescue Coordination Centres, 25 Marine Radio Bases and 59 Marine Rescue Units. Marine rescue accreditations current at 30 June 2013 are set out in Appendix D.
State Rescue Board of NSW Annual Report 2012-2013 25
Changes in Flood Rescue Accreditation During the reporting period, the Minister endorsed the accreditation of 23 units for flood rescue. Table 4.3: Flood Rescue Accreditations 2012-2013
Rescue Agency Unit Accreditation Level
Ambulance Service of NSW Bankstown Level 1
Ambulance Service of NSW Camden Level 1
Ambulance Service of NSW City of Newcastle Level 1 and 3
Ambulance Service of NSW City of Sydney Level 1 and 3
Ambulance Service of NSW Cowra Level 1 and 3
Ambulance Service of NSW Gosford Level 1 and 3
Ambulance Service of NSW Kempsey Shire Level 1
Ambulance Service of NSW Ku-ring-gai Level 1 and 3
Ambulance Service of NSW Maitland City Level 1 and 3
Ambulance Service of NSW Nowra Level 1 and 3
Ambulance Service of NSW Parramatta Level 1 and 3
Ambulance Service of NSW Singleton Level 1 and 3
Ambulance Service of NSW Sutherland Level 1 and 3
Ambulance Service of NSW Tamworth Level 1 and 3
Ambulance Service of NSW Tweed Heads Level 1
Ambulance Service of NSW Wagga Wagga Level 1 and 3
Ambulance Service of NSW Wollongong Level 1 and 3
NSW Police Force Blue Mountains Level 1 and 3
NSW Police Force Newcastle Level 1
NSW Police Force Sydney Level 1 and 3
NSW Police Force Goulburn Level 1
NSW Police Force Lismore City Level 1 and 3
NSW Police Force Illawarra Level 1
At the end of the year, there were 23 units accredited for level 1 flood rescue and 16 units accredited for level 3 flood rescue.
State Rescue Board of NSW Annual Report 2012-2013 26
SECTION 5: OPERATIONS
Road Rescue Operations NSW rescue agencies provide information on road accident rescue to the Australian Productivity Commission, for inclusion in the Report on Government Services. In 2012-2013, there were 4,547 road rescues conducted, of which 3,934 involved extrications. The number of responses per rescue agency is shown in Table 5.1. Table 5.1: Road Rescue Incidents 2012-2013
Rescue Agency Road Rescue Incidents
Rescue Extrications
Ambulance Service of NSW 170 148
Fire & Rescue NSW 2,770 2,401
NSW Police Force 445 385
NSW State Emergency Service 640 546
NSW Volunteer Rescue Association 517 453
Other 5 1
Total 4,547 3,934
Marine Search and Rescue Operations The NSW Police Force provides and coordinates marine search and rescue resources in line with the Inter-Governmental Agreement on National Search and Rescue Response Arrangements. The Agreement puts in place arrangements between the Commonwealth and State/Territory search and rescue authorities on the coordination of search and rescue in the Australian region. The NSW Police Force Marine Area Command coordinates search and rescue in respect of pleasure craft and fishing vessels at sea, unregistered aircraft, persons missing in a land or coastal environment, land vehicles, persons and vessels on inland waters and all non-military vessels in port. The NSW Police Force also coordinates search and rescue in respect of unidentified and identified distress beacon alerts and other vessels when requested by the Commonwealth search agency. A total of 60 vessels are in operation with the NSW Police Force Marine Area Command, supported by 65 accredited volunteer marine rescue vessels. NSW Police Force Marine Area Command operates the State Marine Rescue Coordination Centre and oversees 16 regional Volunteer Marine Rescue Search and Rescue Coordination Centres and an additional 29 Marine Radio Bases.
State Rescue Board of NSW Annual Report 2012-2013 27
The cooperation and collaboration between the NSW Police Force Marine Area Command and Marine Rescue NSW remains very strong and continues to lead the way by providing a “one stop shop” for marine search and rescue. The NSW Police Force Marine Area Command conducted search and rescue training for marine rescue volunteers. Five search and rescue exercises were conducted over the 2012-2013 reporting period for over 350 volunteers state wide. This training is ongoing and will continue for the following year. The number of search and rescue incident responses coordinated by the NSW Police Force Marine Area Command over the past five years is shown in below Table 5.2: Marine Search and Rescue Incidents 2008-2009 to 2012-2013
Year Number of Incidents
2008-2009 2,130
2009-2010 1,946
2010-2011 1,527
2011-2012 1,834
2012-2013 1,906
State Rescue Board of NSW Annual Report 2012-2013 28
SECTION 6: FUNDING Individual agencies fund the provision of rescue services through their own budgets. Financial information is reported in the individual agencies’ annual reports. The NSW Government, however, provides funding for multi agency rescue exercises and volunteer organisations providing rescue services. This expenditure is detailed below.
Government funding for multi agency rescue exercises Funding of $60,000 was approved for 26 multi agency rescue exercises and training activities in 2012-2013. Due to the occurrence of numerous natural disasters and emergencies throughout the year, a number of exercises and training activities were not held. By year end:
$35,964.40 was expended to support the conduct of 18 rescue exercises and training activities across the State, involving members from all rescue agencies
$11,985.60 was returned as exercises and training activities came in under budget or costs were covered by participating agencies
$12,050.00 was not spent due to exercises and training activities being cancelled due to operational activity.
Government funding for volunteer marine rescue Marine Rescue NSW is the NSW’s newest emergency service organisation, starting operations on the water on 1 January 2010. The NSW Government has continued to recognise the valuable contribution of Marine Rescue NSW and its volunteers to boating safety in 2012-2013, providing a direct grant of $1.52 million to the organisation. In order to provide an ongoing funding stream for Marine Rescue NSW operations, the Government gained support from the boating community in 2010 for the introduction of an annual levy on boat registration and licence fees, currently set at $7.97. The levy is collected by NSW Roads and Maritime Services and disbursed by the Ministry for Police and Emergency Services, providing a total of $6.31 million in 2012-2013 for Marine Rescue NSW. The Government formalised the Marine Rescue NSW funding structure through the 2011-2016 Operational Funding Agreement signed on 23 February 2011. Marine Rescue NSW also continues to rely heavily on the support of the community through volunteer fundraising activities and sponsorship to help meet its capital and operational costs. Marine Rescue NSW is modernising its fleet to provide its volunteers with safe and reliable vessels for their vital work. In 2012-2013, 14 new or refurbished vessels were delivered to units at a total cost of $2.5 million.
State Rescue Board of NSW Annual Report 2012-2013 29
Table 6.1: Expenditure of Government Funding for Marine Rescue NSW 2012-2013
$ $
Total funding made available: 7,832,839
Represented by:
Funding from Licences 6,312,839 Grant for Core Funding 1,520,000
Amount Expended by Marine Rescue NSW Unit reimbursement - Fuel/Oil (RVs & MVs) 11,339 Unit reimbursement - Training (external) 2,925 Unit reimbursement - Radio Bases/SARCC-R&M 4,141 Unit reimbursement - Vessel - R&M 21,503 Direct Unit Funding 693,500 Funding Advance repayment 600,000 Administration 496,040 Staff cost 1,929,529 Activities Expenses 8,850 Buildings 246,856 Fundraising Cost 3,494 Uniforms and stores Costs 303,579 Training 70,666 IT & IT Grants 344,150 Insurances 118,272 Marketing 130,258 Membership 22,022 Motor Vehicles 286,764 Radio facilities 58,643 Rescue Vessels 170,400 Trailers 3,784 Utilities 110,507 Raffle Boats 247,949
Subtotal 5,885,170
New Vessels 2,200,995 Refurbished Vessels 263,497 Other Vessel Expenditure 14,378 Other Capital Equipment 735,182
Total Capital Expenditure 3,214,053 Less: Contribution Received from MRNSW Units and other sources
(1,266,384)
Total Expenditure 7,832,839
State Rescue Board of NSW Annual Report 2012-2013 30
New Vessels (Note 1) $
Steber 38 vessel - BG30 - Bermagui (part) 570,662
Kevlacat 3000 series, 8M vessel - PJ30 - Port Jackson 262,210
Steber 38 vessel - UL30 - Ulladulla (part) 592,763
Yamba Welding 10M Naiad vessel - LM30 - Lake Macquarie (part) 334,816
Yamba Welding 10M Naiad vessel - TB30 - Trial Bay 426,675
Cobia Boat 3.75M RHIB - PM10 - Port Macquarie 13,869
Subtotal 2,200,995
Refurbished and Second Hand Vessels
BA30 Repower - Ballina 38,073
JB20 refurbishment - Jervis Bay 25,212
PD30 Repower - Point Danger 66,713
PJ20 - Port Jackson 78,356
Trial Bay Jet Ski 14,090
Nambucca Jet Ski 15,455
Narooma Jet Ski 1 12,799
Narooma Jet Ski 2 12,799
Subtotal 263,497
Other Vessels repairs 14,378
Other Capital Equipment
Buildings/ Leasehold improvements 192,180
Furniture Fixture & Fittings 69,111
IT 127,641
Communication Equipment 222,570
Motor Vehicles 123,680
Subtotal 735,182
Total 3,214,053
Note 1 Funding allocations against new vessels represent the amount paid during the financial year and may not reflect the total cost of the vessel
State Rescue Board of NSW Annual Report 2012-2013 31
Government funding for volunteer organisations providing land rescue services In accordance with section 48(1)(i) of the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989, the State Rescue Board recommended to the Minister that $1,327,662 funding be made available to the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association for its land rescue units in the 2012-2013 financial year. The NSW Volunteer Rescue Association’s report on the expenditure of the funding is provided below. Table 6.2: NSW Volunteer Rescue Association Report on Grant Expenditure 2012-2013
Income
Government Grants 1,360,854
Discretionary Grants for Squads 7,670 1,368,524
Less: Expenditure
Administration Expenses
Executive Expenses 293,411
Conference and Sundry Admin 56,620
Insurance and Legal Expenses 407,628
Grant Payments to Squads 318,419 1,076,078
Operational Expenses
Training Expenses 144,502
PR Costs 10,735
Sundry Operational Expenses 27,165 182,402
Asset Purchases and Sales
Purchase of Plant & Equipment 179,049
Less: Sales -69,005 110,044
Total Expenditure 1,368,524
State Rescue Board of NSW Annual Report 2012-2013 32
SECTION 7: RESCUE TRAINING The training standards for general land rescue and vertical rescue operators are set by the State Rescue Board on advice from the Policy Advisory Committee and Rescue Training Working Group. The training standards are based on the Public Safety Training Package. The training standards for marine rescue operators are also set by the State Rescue Board on advice from the Policy Advisory Committee and Rescue Training Working Group. These training standards are based on the Maritime Industry Training Package, supplemented by additional units from the Public Safety Training Package. While the State Rescue Board sets standards for training and supports multi agency rescue exercises and training activities, the training of individual rescue operators to the State Rescue Board’s rescue training standards and the recording of information relating to qualified operators is the responsibility of the individual rescue agencies. The numbers of qualified land, vertical and marine rescue operators belonging to accredited units is detailed below. The State Rescue Board will commence reporting on flood rescue in the 2013-2014 reporting period. Table 7.1: Number of Qualified Rescue Operators by Rescue Agency as at 30 June 2013
Rescue Agency General Land
Rescue
Vertical Rescue
Marine Rescue
Ambulance Service of NSW 70 70 0
Fire & Rescue NSW 2,038 187 0
Marine Rescue NSW 0 0 3,287
NSW Police Force 130 130 132
NSW State Emergency Service 784 140 0
NSW Volunteer Rescue Association 457 54 14
Surf Life Saving NSW 0 0 10
Australia Volunteer Coast Guard 0 0 16
Total 3,479 581 3,459
* (3,287) represents the total number of active Marine Rescue NSW volunteers.
State Rescue Board of NSW Annual Report 2012-2013 33
SECTION 8: REGIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE REPORTS Local and Regional Rescue Committees are established under section 48A of the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989 to assist the State Rescue Board in the exercise of its functions. Each Committee assists in determining the need to recommend accreditation to the Minister for Emergency Services for each rescue unit in their area. These committees are based on, but may not include the same representatives as Local and Regional Emergency Management Committees which are also established under the Act. Each Regional Rescue Committee provides a report on its activities and those of the Local Rescue Committees within its jurisdiction.
Central West Region The Central West Regional Rescue Committee met three times during the reporting period. The meetings were held in a combined format with the Far West Regional Rescue Committee. There are 19 Local Rescue Committees in the region divided into two zones. North Zone: South Zone:
Coonamble – two meetings held Bathurst – four meetings held
Dubbo City – four meetings held Blayney – four meetings held
Gilgandra – three meetings held Cabonne – four meetings held
Narromine – four meetings held Cowra – four meetings held
Mid Western – four meetings held Forbes – four meetings held
Walgett – two meetings held Lachlan – four meetings held
Warren - one meeting held Lithgow – three meetings held
Warrumbungle – four meetings held Oberon – three meetings held
Wellington – four meetings held Orange – four meetings held Parkes – four meetings held
Each of the rescue committees held workshops in addition to formal meetings throughout the year and one rescue exercise was held in the region during the reporting period. A local rescue exercise was held in Mudgee on 19 June 2013 at Ulan West Underground Coal Mine in conjunction with a mining company, local mine management and local emergency service agencies. This exercise was the first of its type conducted on a mine site in a local rescue area. The exercise involved emergency services working with mine management in the response to simulated scenarios involving both an underground mine incident and a crashed helicopter on the mine site area. The exercise was conducted in conjunction with the current development of a State based “Memorandum of Understanding” between emergency service agencies and the mining industry.
State Rescue Board of NSW Annual Report 2012-2013 34
Mendooran Volunteer Rescue Association Squad resumed the primary rescue role after rebuilding and training new rescue operators. Collarenebri State Emergency Service and Burren Junction Volunteer Rescue Association are "off-line" in their primary response role due to insufficient rescue operators. There were no permanent accreditation changes within the region. A number of temporary changes to primary response and joint call-out arrangements occurred during the year because of limited availability of rescue operators. All rescue agencies experienced temporary issues.
Far West Region Over the reporting period the Far West Regional Rescue Committee met three times in Dubbo as part of the combined Central West and Far West Committee. There are seven Local Rescue Committees in the region: Broken Hill and the Unincorporated Area (with a sub-committee in Tibooburra), Central Darling, Cobar, Bogan, Bourke, Brewarrina and Wentworth Local Government areas. The committees meet four times a year in conjunction with their Local Emergency Management Committee meetings. During this time, Local Rescue Committees made seven applications for rescue exercises with Tibooburra and Nyngan successful in receiving funding from the State Rescue Board. A third rescue exercise testing was also held in Broken Hill. This exercise tested mass casualty procedures and was funded by NSW Health. More details about the exercises are as follows:
exercise Granite Rescue was held at Silver City Highway in Tibooburra on 4 May 2013. The scenario was a motor vehicle accident involving two cars with multiple casualties to test primary rescue capability and inter agency operability. Primary rescue units attended from the NSW State Emergency Services in Tibooburra, Packsaddle and Broken Hill, as well as Ambulance Service of NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service and NSW Police Force
exercise Rock Bolt was held at Broken Hill Airport testing mass casualties arrangements for rescue workers and medical students. The exercise was held on 24 May 2013 and involved Far West Area Health Network, Broken Hill Shire Council, Ambulance Service of NSW, St John Ambulance, NSW State Emergency Service, Fire & Rescue NSW and NSW Police Force
exercise Wild Slide tested primary rescue capability and inter agency operability in a scenario involving a two car motor vehicle accident with multiple casualties. Fire & Rescue NSW, Ambulance Service of NSW, NSW State Emergency Service and the NSW Police Force all took part in exercise which was conducted at Tottenham Road Nyngan on 15 June 2013.
The western region conducted a Local Emergency Operations Controllers review and as a result a number of Local Emergency Operations Controllers will attend future gap training at the Local Emergency Operations Controllers workshops in Sydney. Hydra Exercise ‘Aelous’ was conducted in both Bourke and Broken Hill.
State Rescue Board of NSW Annual Report 2012-2013 35
Roads and Maritime Services and the Centre for Road Safety formed a working group to progress the Remote Emergency Airstrips Project for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Regional Rescue Committee members have been actively consulting with various companies establishing mining operations in the region, examining the rescue risks associated with mining operations, transportation of hazardous materials and transport routes servicing the mines.
Hunter Central Coast Region The Hunter and Central Coast Regional Rescue Committee and the Hunter Central Coast Marine Rescue Committee both met three times during the reporting period. Meetings were also held for the Gosford, Wyong, Upper Hunter, Muswellbrook, Singleton, Dungog, Maitland, Cessnock, Port Stephens and Newcastle/Lake Macquarie Local Rescue Committees. The Vertical Rescue Service Delivery Model risk based review was completed and submitted to the State Rescue Board by the Cessnock, Dungog, Gosford, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and Wyong Local Rescue Committees. One search and rescue exercise was also held in late 2012 in Newcastle which involved Marine Rescue NSW and NSW Police Force Marine Area Command. During the reporting period the following changes occurred:
cancellation of the Scone State Emergency Service’s general land rescue accreditation as approved by the State Rescue Board
cancellation of the Murrurundi Volunteer Rescue Association’s general land rescue accreditation as approved by the State Rescue Board
Cooranbong State Emergency Service request submitted to the State Rescue Board to relinquish general land rescue accreditation
Fire & Rescue NSW submitted application for Morisset unit seeking accreditation as a general land rescue unit
Fire & Rescue NSW Newcastle submitted an application seeking vertical rescue accreditation
pre accreditation for Marine Rescue Toukley as a marine rescue unit was approved by the State Rescue Board.
Illawarra South Coast Region The Illawarra South Coast Regional Rescue Committee held three meetings during the reporting period. There were no changes to the voting membership. Surf Life Saving NSW and Mines Rescue were invited as observers to the committee. There are two Marine Rescue Advisory Sub Committees that exist within the region:
Illawarra Marine Advisory Sub Committee held three meetings and increased membership with the inclusion of Wollongong City Lifeguards representation
State Rescue Board of NSW Annual Report 2012-2013 36
South Coast Marine Advisory Sub Committee held three meetings and increased membership with the inclusion of SouthCare/ACT Ambulance representation who provide helicopter retrieval capability to the south coast.
There are four Local Rescue Committees within the region: Bega Valley, Eurobodalla, Illawarra and Shoalhaven. All held three scheduled meetings during the year. The Illawarra Local Rescue Committee is the combined rescue committee formally of Kiama, Shellharbour and Wollongong Local Government Areas. This combined committee was formally endorsed by the State Rescue Board in September 2012. Review of rescue arrangements across the Illawarra rescue area commenced in this year due to the formation of the combined Local Rescue Committee. Numerous multi agency exercises were undertaken 2012-2013 including practising confined space entry and rescue, motor vehicle incidents, marine search and rescue, land search and rescue, aviation related emergencies and rescues. The agencies that participated in the rescue exercises that occurred included NSW Police Force, Local Emergency Operations Controllers, Local Emergency Management Officers, Local Council, NSW State Emergency Service, NSW Rural Fire Service, Fire & Rescue NSW, Ambulance Service of NSW, NSW Volunteer Rescue Association, Surf Life Saving NSW, Council Lifeguards, NSW Police Force, NSW Police Force Marine Area Command, Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Royal Australian Navy and Westpac Life Saver Helicopter. Areas of responsibility within the four local rescue areas were re-evaluated and updated as part of the review of NSW Police Force’s rescue database for southern NSW. There have been no accreditation changes within this reporting period. All Rural Service Delivery Model and Vertical Rescue Service Delivery Model reports are current.
New England Region The New England Regional Rescue Committee held four meetings during the reporting period. There were no changes to the voting membership. There are 10 Local Rescue Committees within the Region. These are Glen Innes Severn, Gunnedah, Gwydir (Bingara and Warialda), Inverell, Liverpool Plains (Quirindi), Moree Plains, Narrabri, New England (Armidale, Dumaresq, Guyra, Uralla and Walcha Local Government Areas), Tamworth Regional and Tenterfield. The majority of the committees held four meetings during the reporting period.
North Coast Region The North Coast Regional Rescue Committee held three meetings during the year.
State Rescue Board of NSW Annual Report 2012-2013 37
A Regional Marine Rescue Sub-Committee was also established and is chaired by the NSW Police Force Marine Area Command. By agreement the committee only meets when the Chair determines that there is significant business to discuss. There was no requirement for the sub-committee to convene during the reporting period. There are 14 Local Rescue Committees within the region located at Ballina, Byron Bay, Clarence Valley, Coffs/Bellingen, Manning Great Lakes, Gloucester, Kyogle, Kempsey, Nambucca, Lismore, Lord Howe Island, Port Macquarie Hastings, Richmond Valley and Tweed. The Coffs/Bellingen Local Rescue Committee is an approved single rescue committee for the two local government areas of Coffs Harbour City and Bellingen. The Manning Great Lakes is an approved single rescue committee for the two local government areas of Greater Taree City and Great Lakes. All Local Rescue Committees in the north coast region are meeting regularly. A major cross border marine rescue exercise was conducted in early November 2012 in the Northern Rivers area. This involved NSW and Queensland marine rescue agencies from Wooli (NSW) and Jacobs (Queensland). It involved rescue helicopters and an Australian Marine Search and Rescue Dornier Aircraft, and nine rescue vessels including the NSW Police Force vessel Nemesis and a Queensland Police vessel. A smaller marine rescue exercise was conducted at Coffs Harbour in late November 2012 involving marine rescue units from the Mid North Coast area. Unfortunately, this exercise was disrupted due to malicious damage to a number of vessels that had been moored overnight at the Coffs Harbour Marina. Significant damage was sustained to some vessels, however, all have returned to service with the matter being subject of an ongoing Police investigation. A multi agency rescue day was also conducted at Casino in March 2013. This involved NSW Police Force, Fire & Rescue NSW, NSW State Emergency Service and NSW Volunteer Rescue Association rescue units. Rescue personnel were required to respond to four different scenarios involving vertical rescue, compression rescue, finger entrapment and a general road crash. During June 2013, there was a change in the appointed chairperson to the North Coast Regional Rescue Committee from Assistant Police Commissioner Carlene York APM to Assistant Police Commissioner Jeffery Loy APM.
State Rescue Board of NSW Annual Report 2012-2013 38
North West Metropolitan Region The North West Metropolitan Regional Rescue Committee held two meetings during the reporting period and a working group was also formed to conduct a Vertical Rescue Service Delivery Model review. There are no sub committees in the region. The Minister approved the formation of a Local Rescue Committee which covers a combination of all the Local Government Areas. The Regional Rescue Committee will perform the roles and responsibilities of the combined Local Rescue Committees. A multi agency vertical rescue/advanced roping course was held over four days in the Blue Mountains from 29 May to 2 June 2013. The workshop focused on vertical rescue and advanced roping techniques in a variety of applications. The workshop was conducted by the Blue Mountains Police Rescue Squad and attended by representatives from the NSW Police Force, NSW Volunteer Rescue Association, Bushwalkers Wilderness Rescue Squad, NSW Rural Fire Service and NSW State Emergency Service. A multi agency search and rescue course was conducted by the Blue Mountains Police Rescue Squad over two weekends in the Blue Mountains on 18, 19, 25 and 26 May 2013. This course covered search and rescue techniques in remote areas and was attended by representatives from the NSW Police Force, NSW Volunteer Rescue Association, Bushwalkers Wilderness Rescue Squad, NSW Rural Fire Service and NSW State Emergency Service. There were no accreditation changes in the region during the reporting period.
Riverina Murray Region The South West Emergency Management region underwent a change of name and in April 2013 the emergency management area was gazetted as the Riverina Murray Emergency Management Region. The Riverina Murray Regional Rescue Committee meets three times each calendar year. Meetings are conducted on the fourth Wednesday of March, July and November. These meetings rotate between Albury, Wagga Wagga, Griffith and Deniliquin which are the four largest centres in the Riverina Murray emergency management region. There are 22 Local Rescue Committees based in 24 Local Government Areas within the Riverina Murray emergency management region. These meetings are held in conjunction with the Local Emergency Management Committee meetings, 3 to 4 times a year depending on scheduled Local Emergency Management meetings. The 22 Local Rescue Committees are:
Albury Local Government Area (LGA)
Balranald LGA
Berrigan LGA
Bland, LGA
State Rescue Board of NSW Annual Report 2012-2013 39
Carrathool LGA
Deniliquin and Conargo (combined LGA for the purpose of Emergency Management)
Coolamon and Junee (combined LGA for the purpose of Emergency Management)
Corowa, LGA
Greater Hume, LGA
Griffith, LGA
Hay, LGA
Jerilderie, LGA
Leeton, LGA
Lockhart, LGA
Murray, LGA
Murrumbidgee, LGA
Narrandera, LGA
Temora, LGA
Tumbarumba, LGA
Urana, LGA
Wakool, LGA
Wagga Wagga LGA
All Local Rescue Committees completed the Vertical Rescue Service Delivery Model risk assessment process in the proceeding 12 month period. All Riverina Murray based Local Rescue Committees worked through a systematic review of “areas of rescue responsibility” in conjunction with the NSW Police Force VKG rescue database update process. The NSW Marine Rescue Moama Unit received pre accreditation in January 2013. It now has 12 months to meet the requirements for full endorsement. Following a number of public enquiries made to NSW Marine Rescue, there are now new members and good community support for the unit. Other resources have also been committed for the development of the new unit. Urana State Emergency Service relinquished its general land rescue accreditation due to lack of member numbers. Alternative general land rescue arrangements have been implemented and rescue agencies from Lockhart, Corowa, Narrandera and Jerilderie will respond to any incidents as required in the Urana Local Government Area. The following exercises were conducted in the region during the reporting period:
Albury Airport Exercise
Griffith Airport Exercise
Narrandera Airport Exercise
a desktop search and rescue exercise in conjunction with NSW Police Force was held in Balranald
a field search and rescue exercise was held at Moama and was coordinated by NSW State Emergency Service Murray Region and utilised all rescue agencies within their region.
State Rescue Board of NSW Annual Report 2012-2013 40
South Eastern Region The South Eastern Regional Rescue Committee held two meetings in November 2012 and March 2013 and the Control Room Committee held three meetings in July and November 2012 and March 2013. Marine Rescue NSW currently maintains an observer status for both committees pending approval by the State Rescue Board for the provision of marine rescue in the Alpine Lakes area. There are currently no sub committees attached to the Regional Rescue Committee. There are 14 Local Rescue Committees across the region. The location and number of meetings held during the reporting period is:
Boorowa – one meeting
Cootamundra – three meetings
Goulburn Mulwaree – three meetings
Gundagai – two meetings
Harden – three meetings
Lake George – three meetings
Snowy River – three meetings
Southern Monaro – three meetings
Tumut – three meetings
Upper Lachlan – three meeting
Weddin – three meetings
Wingecarribee – three meetings
Yass Valley – three meetings
Young – three meetings During the reporting period, two region rescue exercises were planned. The first was to be held in March and was to involve familiarisation of and rescue from hybrid vehicles. This exercise was cancelled due to low agency participation numbers. The second, a land search and rescue exercise, was held in May 2013 at Wee Jasper near Yass. Participating agencies included NSW Police Force, Police Rescue, NSW State Emergency Service, NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW Volunteer Rescue Association, ACT State Emergency Service and Westpac Life Saver Helicopter. Local Rescue Committee exercises during this reporting period included:
a multi agency rescue table top exercise held in Harden in December 2012
a marine search and rescue exercise conducted in the Snowy River in February 2013 at Jindabyne. Participating agencies included the NSW Police Force, Local Emergency Operations Controller, Local Council, Marine Rescue NSW, Ambulance Service of NSW, NSW State Emergency Service and Westpac Life Saver Helicopter.
Rescue areas of responsibility within the 14 local rescue committees have been re-evaluated and updated as part of the NSW Police Force’s rescue database review for southern NSW.
State Rescue Board of NSW Annual Report 2012-2013 41
All Rural Service Delivery Model and Vertical Rescue Service Delivery Model reports are current.
South West Metropolitan Region The South West Metropolitan Regional Rescue Committee met three times during the reporting period. There were no changes to committee membership. There are no sub-committees or Local Rescue Committees within the region. Five exercises were held in the region:
A field exercise was held at the Sydney Water treatment plant at Wetherill Park on 30 October 2012. The exercise was funded by Sydney Water and based on scenario about a release of gas from the facility. Participants included Fire & Rescue NSW, NSW Police Force, Ambulance Service of NSW and Sydney Water.
Exercise Ford III was held on the 6 November 2012 at Sydney Olympic Park. This is an annual emergency management discussion desktop exercise for the Sydney Telstra 500 Motor Race facilitated by the Regional Emergency Management Officer. The exercise explores a number of scenarios including rescue incidents. Participants include Fire & Rescue NSW, NSW Police Force, Ambulance Service of NSW, St John Ambulance, Royal Agricultural Society, Sydney Olympic Park Authority, private security representatives and race officials.
The Warragamba Dam desktop exercise was held on 3 December 2012 at Warragamba and funded by Sydney Water. This exercise was based on scenario about a release of gas from the filtration plant and the implication for the nearby township. Participants included Sydney Water, NSW Police Force, NSW Rural Fire Service, Fire & Rescue NSW, Ambulance Service of NSW and Wollondilly Local Emergency Management Committee members.
The Tahmoor Mine local exercise was held on 12 December 2012 at Tahmoor and funded by Xstrata Coal. This field exercise was based on a power outage to the mine causing the mine to shut operations forcing miners to walk from the face of the mine to the top with simulated injuries along the way. The power outage also caused several miners to be trapped in a mine bucket which was being lowered to the coal face at the time. Participants included Ambulance Service of NSW, NSW Police Force, Fire & Rescue NSW, Wollondilly Local Emergency Management Committee members and Xstrata Coal.
Exercise Main Arena, funded by the State Rescue Board, was held on 15 May 2013 at Skoda Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park. The field exercise was based on a gas explosion from a food vending outlet within the stadium, causing persons to be injured and trapped. Participating agencies included the NSW Police Force, Fire & Rescue NSW, Ambulance Service of NSW and Royal Agricultural Society staff.
State Rescue Board of NSW Annual Report 2012-2013 42
The exercise ran for two hours and was extremely valuable in highlighting areas that required improvement such as access for emergency services, Royal Agricultural Society protocols and emergency services familiarisation of the facility.
During the reporting period there were several smaller Local Emergency Management Committee desktop exercise/simulations conducted throughout the region and funded by the NSW Police Force. Local Emergency Management Committee participants came from Wollondilly, Camden, Campbelltown, Fairfield, Auburn and Bankstown. There were only minor accreditation changes during the reporting period.
Sydney Metropolitan Region The Sydney Metropolitan Regional Rescue Committee held three meetings during the reporting period. The Sydney Metropolitan Marine Advisory Committee did not meet this year. There are only two accredited agencies operating within the region that often discuss issues directly with each other. All marine rescue and marine support agencies are members or observers of the Sydney Metropolitan Regional Rescue Committee and therefore issues and processes are often discussed in that forum. In addition, all the same marine operators are members of either or both of the region’s two Marine Emergency Planning Sub Committees. A Botany Bay Marine Rescue Familiarisation Exercise was held on 17 November 2012 at Sans Souci. Participants included NSW Police Force Marine Area Command, NSW Police Force (St George, Hurstville and Botany Local Area Commands), Marine Rescue NSW, NSW State Emergency Service, NSW Rural Fire Service, Fire & Rescue NSW and Surf Life Saving NSW. The exercise was held to familiarise participants with agency capability, capacity, assets and equipment. The 2013 Annual Sydney Search and Rescue Exercise was held on the 2-3 March 2013 in the waters off Broken Bay. The exercise involved Royal Australian Navy and Westpac helicopters as well as the on water assets of Marine Rescue NSW Sydney units, Marine Rescue NSW Gosford and Terrigal, Water Police and the Surf Life Saving Association. There were 57 Marine Rescue NSW members and 23 attendees from other agencies. The annual State Rescue Board Accreditation Inspections were conducted in conjunction with NSW Police Marine Area Command officers in November 2012 for Port Jackson, Botany Bay and Port Hacking areas. All Marine Rescue Units, Marine Radio Bases and vessel assets met the required standards of the State Rescue Board.
State Rescue Board of NSW Annual Report 2012-2013 43
SECTION 9: APPENDICIES Appendix A: State Rescue Board Meeting Attendance The State Rescue Board held four meetings during the reporting period:
Meeting 105 – 22 August 2012
Meeting 106 – 28 November 2012
Meeting 107 – 7 March 2013
Meeting 108 – 13 June 2013 Attendance at the State Rescue Board meetings during 2012-2013 is shown in Table 9.1. Table 9.1: State Rescue Board Meeting Attendance
Member Present Represented
NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons AFSM (Chair)
3/4
State Emergency Operations Controller Deputy Commissioner Nick Kaldas APM
2/4
Fire & Rescue NSW Commissioner Greg Mullins AFSM
4/4
NSW State Emergency Service Commissioner Murray Kear AFSM
4/4
NSW Police Force Assistant Commissioner Alan Clarke APM
3/4
Ambulance Service of NSW A/Chief Executive Mike Willis ASM Commissioner Ray Creen ASM
2/3 1/1
1/3
NSW Volunteer Rescue Association Inc Commissioner Russell Ashdown Commissioner Mark Gibson ESM
1/1 3/3
Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Stacey Tannos ESM
4/4
State Rescue Board of NSW Annual Report 2012-2013 44
Appendix B: Summary of General Land Rescue and Vertical Rescue Accreditations as at 30 June 2013 Table 9.2: Accreditation by Region as at 30 June 2013
Region General Land Rescue Vertical Rescue Primary Secondary
Central West 35 24 13
Far West 11 3 0
Hunter Central Coast 19 2 7
Illawarra / South Coast 13 7 8
New England 22 17 9
North Coast 26 33 16
North West Metro 14 2 5
Riverina Murray 28 18 8
South Eastern 20 10 10
South West Metro 6 1 0
Sydney Metro 5 2 1
Total 199 119 77
Table 9.3: Accreditation by Rescue Agency as at 30 June 2013
Rescue Agency General Land Rescue Vertical Rescue Primary Secondary
Ambulance Service of NSW 6 0 3
Fire & Rescue NSW 70 112 14
NSW Police Force 8 0 8
State Emergency Service 75 7 30
NSW Volunteer Rescue Association 10 0 22
Total 169 119 77
State Rescue Board of NSW Annual Report 2012-2013 45
Appendix C: General Land Rescue and Vertical Rescue Accredited Units by Emergency Management Region as at 30 June 2013 Legend ASNSW Ambulance Service of NSW FRNSW Fire & Rescue NSW PRS NSW Police Force Rescue Squad SES NSW State Emergency Service VRA NSW Volunteer Rescue Association (V) Vertical rescue accredited unit Central West Region
Unit Name Accreditation
Baradine SES Primary
Bathurst PRS Primary (V)
Bathurst SES Secondary (V)
Blayney FRNSW Secondary
Blayney SES Primary
Burren Junction VRA Primary
Canowindra FRNSW Secondary
Canowindra SES Primary
Collarenebri SES Primary
Condobolin FRNSW Secondary
Condobolin SES Primary (V)
Coolah & Regional VRA Primary (V)
Coolah FRNSW Secondary
Coonabarabran FRNSW Secondary
Coonabarabran VRA Primary (V)
Coonamble FRNSW Primary
Coonamble SES Secondary
Cowra ASNSW Primary
Cowra FRNSW Secondary
Dubbo City FRNSW Secondary
Dubbo VRA Primary (V)
Dunedoo FRNSW Secondary
Dunedoo SES Primary
Eugowra SES Secondary
Forbes FRNSW Secondary
Forbes SES Primary
Gilgandra FRNSW Secondary
Gilgandra SES Primary
Glengarry SES Primary (V)
Gulgong FRNSW Secondary
Gulgong VRA Primary
State Rescue Board of NSW Annual Report 2012-2013 46
Unit Name Accreditation
Kandos FRNSW Secondary
Lake Cargelligo FRNSW Primary
Lightning Ridge SES Primary (V)
Lightning Ridge FRNSW Secondary
Lithgow & District VRA Primary (V)
Lithgow FRNSW Secondary
Mendooran District VRA Primary
Molong FRNSW Primary
Mudgee FRNSW Secondary
Mudgee VRA Primary
Narromine FRNSW Secondary
Narromine VRA Primary
Oberon SES Primary (V)
Oberon FRNSW Secondary
Orange FRNSW Primary
Parkes SES Primary (V)
Parkes FRNSW Secondary
Peak Hill FRNSW Secondary
Peak Hill SES Primary
Rylstone-Kandos & District VRA Primary (V)
Sofala SES Primary
Trangie FRNSW Primary
Trundle SES Primary
Walgett FRNSW Secondary
Walgett SES Primary
Warren FRNSW Primary
Wellington FRNSW Secondary
Wellington SES Primary (V)
Far West Region
Unit Name Accreditation
Bourke FRNSW Secondary
Bourke SES Primary
Brewarrina SES Primary
Broken Hill FRNSW Secondary
Broken Hill SES Primary
Cobar FRNSW Secondary
Cobar SES Primary
Ivanhoe SES Primary
Menindee SES Primary
Nyngan FRNSW Primary
Tibooburra SES Primary
Wentworth FRNSW Primary
State Rescue Board of NSW Annual Report 2012-2013 47
Unit Name Accreditation
White Cliffs SES Primary
Wilcannia SES Primary
Hunter Central Coast Region
Unit Name Accreditation
Belmont FRNSW Primary
Branxton FRNSW Primary
Central Coast VRA Primary (V)
Cessnock District VRA Primary (V)
Cooranbong SES Primary
Denman FRNSW Primary
Dungog FRNSW Primary
Gosford FRNSW Primary (V)
Merriwa & Regional VRA Primary
Merriwa FRNSW Secondary
Muswellbrook FRNSW Primary
Nelson Bay FRNSW Primary (V)
Newcastle FRNSW Primary (V)
Newcastle PRS Primary (V)
Port Stephens SES Primary
Rutherford ASNSW Primary
Scone SES Primary
Singleton ASNSW Primary
Singleton FRNSW Secondary
Tea Gardens FRNSW Primary (V)
Toronto FRNSW Primary
Illawarra South Coast Region
Unit Name Accreditation
Batemans Bay FRNSW Primary
Batemans Bay SES Secondary
Bega FRNSW Secondary
Bega VRA Primary (V)
Bomaderry ASNSW Primary (V)
Bulli FRNSW Primary
Eden FRNSW Secondary
Eden SES Primary (V)
Kiama FRNSW Secondary
Kiama SES Primary (V)
Merimbula FRNSW Primary
Moruya FRNSW Secondary
Moruya SES Primary (V)
Narooma FRNSW Secondary
State Rescue Board of NSW Annual Report 2012-2013 48
Unit Name Accreditation
Narooma VRA Primary (V)
Nowra FRNSW Secondary
Oak Flats PRS Primary (V)
Shellharbour FRNSW Primary
Ulladulla FRNSW Primary (V)
Wollongong FRNSW Primary
New England Region
Unit Name Accreditation
Armidale FRNSW Secondary
Armidale SES Primary (V)
Ashford SES Primary
Barraba FRNSW Secondary
Barraba VRA Primary
Bingara FRNSW Secondary
Bingara SES Primary (V)
Boggabri FRNSW Secondary
Boggabri SES Primary
Deepwater SES Primary (V)
Glen Innes FRNSW Secondary
Glen Innes VRA Primary (V)
Gunnedah FRNSW Secondary
Gunnedah SES Primary
Guyra FRNSW Secondary
Guyra VRA Primary
Inverell FRNSW Secondary
Inverell VRA Primary
Manilla FRNSW Secondary
Manilla VRA Primary (V)
Moree FRNSW Secondary
Moree Plains SES Primary
Narrabri FRNSW Secondary
Narrabri VRA Primary (V)
Quirindi District VRA Primary
Quirindi FRNSW Secondary
Tambar Springs SES Primary
Tamworth ASNSW Primary (V)
Tamworth FRNSW Secondary
Tenterfield FRNSW Secondary
Tenterfield SES Primary (V)
Uralla FRNSW Primary
Walcha SES Primary (V)
Warialda SES Primary
Warialda FRNSW Secondary
State Rescue Board of NSW Annual Report 2012-2013 49
Unit Name Accreditation
Wee Waa FRNSW Secondary
Wee Waa SES Primary
Werris Creek FRNSW Secondary
Yetman SES Primary
North Coast Region
Unit Name Accreditation
Alstonville FRNSW Secondary
Ballina FRNSW Secondary
Ballina SES Primary
Bangalow FRNSW Secondary
Bellingen FRNSW Secondary
Bowraville FRNSW Secondary
Brunswick Heads FRNSW Secondary
Brunswick Valley & District VRA Primary (V)
Bulahdelah District VRA Primary
Byron Bay FRNSW Secondary
Camden Haven SES Secondary
Casino FRNSW Secondary
Casino VRA Primary (V)
Coffs Harbour FRNSW Secondary
Coffs Harbour SES Primary (V)
Coraki FRNSW Secondary
Dorrigo FRNSW Secondary
Dorrigo SES Primary (V)
Evans Head FRNSW Secondary
Forster FRNSW Primary (V)
Gloucester FRNSW Secondary
Gloucester Shire SES Primary (V)
Grafton FRNSW Secondary
Grafton SES Primary (V)
Kempsey FRNSW Secondary
Kempsey Shire SES Primary
Kingscliff FRNSW Secondary
Kyogle FRNSW Secondary
Kyogle SES Primary (V)
Laurieton FRNSW Primary (V)
Lismore City SES Secondary
Lismore FRNSW Secondary
Lismore PRS Primary (V)
Macksville FRNSW Secondary
Maclean FRNSW Secondary
Maclean SES Primary
Mullumbimby FRNSW Secondary
State Rescue Board of NSW Annual Report 2012-2013 50
Unit Name Accreditation
Murwillumbah FRNSW Secondary
Nabiac SES Primary
Nambucca Regional VRA Primary
Nambucca Heads FRNSW Secondary
Port Macquarie FRNSW Secondary
Port Macquarie Hastings SES Primary (V)
Sawtell FRNSW Secondary
South Grafton FRNSW Secondary
South West Rocks FRNSW Primary (V)
Tabulam SES Primary (V)
Taree FRNSW Secondary
Taree VRA Primary (V)
Tweed Regional VRA Primary (V)
Tweed Heads FRNSW Secondary
Urbenville SES Primary (V)
Urunga SES Primary
Urunga FRNSW Secondary
Wauchope FRNSW Primary
Wingham FRNSW Secondary
Woodburn SES Primary
Woolgoolga FRNSW Primary
Yamba FRNSW Secondary
North West Metropolitan Region
Unit Name Accreditation
Berowra FRNSW Primary
Blacktown FRNSW Primary (V)
Castle Hill FRNSW Primary
Dunheved FRNSW Primary
Eastwood FRNSW Primary
Gordon FRNSW Primary
Hawkesbury SES Primary (V)
Katoomba FRNSW Primary
Katoomba PRS Primary (V)
Narrabeen FRNSW Primary (V)
Regentville FRNSW Primary
Richmond FRNSW Secondary
Springwood FRNSW Primary
Springwood PRS Primary (V)
Wentworthville FRNSW Primary
Windsor FRNSW Secondary
State Rescue Board of NSW Annual Report 2012-2013 51
Riverina Murray
Unit Name Accreditation
Albury & Border VRA Primary (V)
Albury Central FRNSW Secondary
Balranald FRNSW Secondary
Balranald VRA Primary
Barham FRNSW Primary
Berrigan FRNSW Secondary
Coleambally VRA Primary (V)
Coolamon FRNSW Primary
Corowa FRNSW Secondary
Corowa-Rutherglen VRA Primary
Culcairn FRNSW Secondary
Culcairn SES Primary
Deniliquin FRNSW Secondary
Deniliquin VRA Primary (V)
Finley FRNSW Secondary
Goolgowi SES Primary
Griffith FRNSW Secondary
Griffith SES Primary (V)
Hay FRNSW Secondary
Hay SES Primary
Henty FRNSW Secondary
Hillston FRNSW Secondary
Hillston SES Primary
Holbrook FRNSW Secondary
Holbrook SES Primary
Jerilderie FRNSW Primary
Junee FRNSW Secondary
Junee VRA Primary
Leeton VRA Primary (V)
Lockhart FRNSW Primary
Moama FRNSW Primary
Mulwala FRNSW Primary
Narrandera FRNSW Secondary
Narrandera VRA Primary (V)
Temora SES Primary
Temora FRNSW Secondary
The Rock SES Primary
Tocumwal & Regional VRA Primary
Tocumwal FRNSW Secondary
Tumbarumba FRNSW Primary
Turvey Park FRNSW Secondary
Urana SES Primary
Wagga Wagga ASNSW Primary (V)
State Rescue Board of NSW Annual Report 2012-2013 52
Unit Name Accreditation
Wagga Wagga VRA Primary (V)
West Wyalong FRNSW Primary
Yenda FRNSW Secondary
South Eastern Region
Unit Name Accreditation
Batlow FRNSW Secondary
Batlow VRA Primary
Binalong VRA Primary
Bombala FRNSW Primary
Boorowa FRNSW Primary
Braidwood FRNSW Primary (V)
Bundanoon FRNSW Secondary
Cooma FRNSW Secondary
Cooma-Monaro SES Primary
Cootamundra FRNSW Primary (V)
Cootamundra SES Secondary
Crookwell FRNSW Primary
Goulburn FRNSW Secondary
Goulburn PRS Primary (V)
Grenfell FRNSW Secondary
Grenfell SES Primary (V)
Gundagai FRNSW Secondary
Gundagai SES Primary
Gundagai SES Primary
Harden FRNSW Primary
Jindabyne FRNSW Secondary
Mittagong FRNSW Secondary
Perisher Valley FRNSW Primary (V)
Queanbeyan FRNSW Primary
Queanbeyan SES (V)
Snowy River SES Primary (V)
Thredbo FRNSW Primary (V)
Tumut FRNSW Secondary
Tumut SES Primary (V)
Wingecarribee SES Primary (V)
Yass FRNSW Primary
Young FRNSW Primary
State Rescue Board of NSW Annual Report 2012-2013 53
South West Metropolitan Region
Unit Name Accreditation
Bankstown FRNSW Primary
Bonnyrigg Heights FRNSW Primary
Burwood FRNSW Primary
Liverpool FRNSW Primary
Narellan FRNSW Primary
Picton FRNSW Primary
Warragamba FRNSW Secondary
Sydney Metropolitan Region
Unit Name Accreditation
Alexandria PRS Primary (V)
Bundeena FRNSW Secondary
City Of Sydney FRNSW Secondary
Cronulla FRNSW Primary
Crows Nest FRNSW Primary
Engadine FRNSW Primary
Hurstville FRNSW Primary
Appendix D: Summary of Marine Rescue Accreditations as at 30 June 2013 Accreditation by Agency
Agency SARCC MRB MRU Total Units
Marine Rescue NSW 15 24 44 * 47
NSW Police Force Marine Area Command 1 0 11 11
NSW Volunteer Rescue Association 0 1 2 2
Australian Volunteer Coast Guard 1 0 1 1
Surf Life Saving NSW 0 0 1 1
Total 17 25 59 62
* Note of the 44 units, three units hold pre accreditation only
Legend
Agency AVCGA Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association
MRNSW Marine Rescue NSW
NSWPF NSW Police Force
SLSNSW Surf Life Saving NSW
VRA NSW Volunteer Rescue Association
Accreditation MRB Marine Radio Base
MRU Marine Rescue Unit
SARCC Search And Rescue Coordination Centre
Hunter Central Coast Region
Unit Name Agency SARCC MRB MRU
Hawkesbury River Rescue Inc. VRA
Marine Rescue Central Coast MRNSW
Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie MRNSW
Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage MRNSW
Marine Rescue Newcastle MRNSW
Marine Rescue Norah Head MRNSW
Marine Rescue Port Stephens MRNSW
Marine Rescue Terrigal MRNSW
Marine Rescue The Entrance MRNSW
Marine Rescue Toukley * MRNSW *
Newcastle Water Police NSWPF
Port Stephens Water Police NSWPF
Woy Woy Police NSWPF
* Unit holds pre accreditation only
State Rescue Board of NSW Annual Report 2012-2013 55
Illawarra South Coast Region
Unit Name Agency SARCC MRB MRU
Eden Water Police NSWPF
Marine Rescue Batemans Bay MRNSW
Marine Rescue Bermagui MRNSW
Marine Rescue Eden MRNSW
Marine Rescue Jervis Bay MRNSW
Marine Rescue Kioloa MRNSW
Marine Rescue Merimbula MRNSW
Marine Rescue Narooma MRNSW
Marine Rescue Port Kembla MRNSW
Marine Rescue Shellharbour MRNSW
Marine Rescue Shoalhaven MRNSW
Marine Rescue Sussex Inlet MRNSW
Marine Rescue Tuross MRNSW
Marine Rescue Ulladulla MRNSW
Port Kembla Water Police NSWPF
North Coast Region
Unit Name Agency SARCC MRB MRU
Ballina Jetboat Surf Rescue Inc. SLSNSW
Coffs Harbour Water Police NSWPF
Kingscliff AVCGA AVCGA
Marine Rescue Ballina MRNSW
Marine Rescue Brunswick MRNSW
Marine Rescue Camden Haven MRNSW
Marine Rescue Cape Byron MRNSW
Marine Rescue Coffs Harbour MRNSW
Marine Rescue Crowdy Harrington MRNSW
Marine Rescue Evans Head MRNSW
Marine Rescue Forster Tuncurry MRNSW
Marine Rescue Iluka Yamba MRNSW
Marine Rescue Nambucca VRA
Marine Rescue Point Danger MRNSW
Marine Rescue Port Macquarie MRNSW
Marine Rescue Trial Bay MRNSW
Marine Rescue Woolgoolga MRNSW
Marine Rescue Wooli MRNSW
Tweed Coast Sea Rescue VRA
State Rescue Board of NSW Annual Report 2012-2013 56
North West Metropolitan Region
Unit Name Agency SARCC MRB MRU
Broken Bay Water Police NSWPF
Brooklyn Police NSWPF
Marine Rescue Broken Bay MRNSW
Marine Rescue Cottage Point MRNSW
Marine Rescue Hawkesbury MRNSW
Marine Rescue Terrey Hills MRNSW
Riverina Murray Region
Unit Name Agency SARCC MRB MRU
Marine Rescue Moama* MRNSW *
* Unit holds pre accreditation only
South Eastern Region
Unit Name Agency SARCC MRB MRU
Marine Rescue Alpine Lakes* MRNSW *
* Unit holds pre accreditation only
Sydney Metropolitan Region
Unit Name Agency SARCC MRB MRU
Botany Bay (Cronulla) Water Police NSWPF
Botany Bay Water Police NSWPF
Marine Rescue Botany Bay MRNSW
Marine Rescue Middle Harbour MRNSW
Marine Rescue Port Hacking MRNSW
Marine Rescue Port Jackson MRNSW
Sydney Water Police NSWPF
State Rescue Board of NSW Annual Report 2012-2013 57
Appendix E: Independent Auditor Report and Financial Statements
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