Thanks to a collaboration between Clarence Valley Council and Surf Life Saving NSW, beachgoers can feel safer at a popular beach in Yamba after an Emergency Response Beacon (ERB) was installed at Turners Beach.
An ERB, is an autonomous emergency response tool being rolled out across locations where volunteer lifesavers and lifeguards do not routinely patrol, extending the reach of lifesaving operations.
At a push of a button, the ERB enables beachgoers to communicate directly with the SLSNSW operations centre (SOC) in the event of an emergency and for SLSNSW to coordinate its response, supported by a CCTV camera to monitor beach conditions and a beacon and loudspeaker to alert and inform beachgoers.
"We've got such beautiful beaches here in the Clarence Valley, having this kind of infrastructure is so important for our locals and visitors," Clarence Valley Mayor Ray Smith said.
"Beach safety is so important and having one of these devices at Turners Beach before summer, is just fantastic."
A camera fitted to the ERB can be remotely monitored by the SOC to provide operators with situational awareness of the incident. SLSNSW can then respond using a wide range of Rescue Services assets, including jet skis, inflatable rescue boats, volunteer callout teams from surf clubs, lifeguards, or helicopter or drone services.
To learn more about the ERB's and their locations across the State, visit www.surflifesaving.com.au/emergency-response-beacons/
