8.3 Patrol Briefings

Purpose

To outline minimum briefing, debrief, and patrol changeover requirements for patrol operations.

Overview

Patrol briefings support effective operational planning, communication, and task allocation. Briefings ensure personnel understand prevailing conditions, operational expectations, hazards, and emergency arrangements prior to commencing patrol activities.

Briefings should be conducted for all patrol operations regardless of anticipated activity levels.

Briefings should be conducted by the Patrol Captain, Senior Lifeguard, or supervising operational leader.

Briefings should be held on every occasion, regardless of the anticipated level of patrolling or rescue activity.

Consistent use of briefings ensures that all team members are well-informed, aligned with operational goals, and prepared for the tasks ahead.

Procedure

Start of Patrol Briefing

Start of patrol briefings should:

• Include all operational personnel where practicable,
• Provide an opportunity for questions and operational discussion,
• Identify personnel roles, responsibilities, and task allocations,
• Identify inexperienced or visiting personnel requiring additional supervision or induction,
• Confirm operational communications arrangements,
• Confirm patrol rotations, welfare arrangements, and WHS considerations,
• Reinforce professional conduct and operational expectations, and
• Outline emergency and incident response arrangements.

Operational briefings may include:

• Current and forecast weather, surf, and beach conditions,
• Identified hazards, high-risk areas, or high-risk beach users,
• Patrol area configuration and surveillance strategy,
• Equipment status and operational readiness,
• Radio communications arrangements and operational channels,
• Patrol rotations, breaks, and welfare considerations,
• Expected patronage and planned activities or events,
• Incident contingency arrangements,
• Relevant operational intelligence or notifications,
• Uniform and PPE requirements, and
• Public conduct, professionalism, and social media expectations.

Patrol Debrief Procedure

Patrol Debrief

A patrol debrief should be conducted at the conclusion of patrol operations where practicable, regardless of whether incidents occurred during the patrol. Debriefs support continuous improvement, operational learning, member welfare, and effective communication between patrol personnel.

Patrol debriefs may include:

• operational activities and incidents,
• identified hazards or changing conditions,
• equipment faults or operational deficiencies,
• member welfare or fatigue concerns,
• operational improvements or lessons identified,
• feedback from patrol personnel,
• issues requiring escalation or follow-up, and
• information relevant to incoming patrols or future operations.

By conducting regular debriefs, Patrol Captains and Senior Lifeguards contribute to the ongoing effectiveness and safety of patrol operations. It ensures that every patrol is reviewed, lessons are learned, and improvements are made, regardless of whether incidents occurred. This proactive approach supports a culture of excellence and preparedness within SLS operations.

Patrol Changeover

Outgoing patrol leaders should brief incoming patrol leaders on:

• Prevailing conditions and hazards,
• Operational activities or incidents,
• Equipment or resource limitations,
• Patrol area configuration, and
• Any information relevant to ongoing operations.

Material changes affecting patrol capability or minimum service requirements should be recorded in the Operations App or communicated to the State Operations Centre (SOC) by radio where required.

Reference

• Public Safety and Aquatic Rescue training manual, 35th Edition, Module 10 – Patrol Operations, Team Briefing