SLSSA Standard Operating Procedures are controlled documents. Printed copies may become out of date and should not be relied on as the current version of the procedure.
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9.4 Requesting Helicopter Support
Purpose
To outline operational procedures for requesting helicopter support for SLS operations and emergency incidents.
Overview
Helicopter support may be requested to assist with search and rescue operations, patient retrieval, surveillance, operational coordination, or other emergency response activities.
Requests for helicopter support must be coordinated through the State Operations Centre (SOC).
The SOC will coordinate with the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter, emergency services, and other aviation resources to determine the most appropriate operational response.
A helicopter response may not always be available, operationally suitable, or the most appropriate asset for the incident. Alternative resources, including RPAS, IRBs, RWCs, vessels, or land based assets, should also be considered.
The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter crew may also self task in accordance with approved operational procedures.
Procedure
Procedure for requesting helicopter support by a SLSC or service:
Operational Hours
Requests for helicopter support must be made via the State Operations Centre (SOC).
The SOC will relay the information to the Air Crew either by attempting to raise the Air Crew by radio to check if they heard the request, or by phone.
The Air Crew, in consultation with the pilot, must review the request to determine what response, if any, is required.
The Air Crew must provide a response as soon as reasonably practicable to the SOC, or directly to the requesting party via radio.
In any case, where the rostered Duty Officer determines that helicopter deployment may provide operational benefit, they may authorise tasking subject to aviation safety and operational limitations.
Non-operational Hours
Requests for helicopter support must be made via the SOC.
The SOC must relay the information to the State Officer (Aerial Services).
The State Officer (Aerial Services), in consultation with the State Duty Officer and pilot (if required), must review the request to determine what response, if any, is required
The State Officer (Aerial) must provide a response as soon as reasonably practicable to the SOC.
Operational Limitations
The primary response area for the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter is coastal.
The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter can operate during daylight hours (must be above the airport 10 minutes before the end of twilight) in areas with a visibility greater than 5km while avoiding cloud.
Request for Assistance with Community Events
Requests for the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter to assist with Community Events may be made to the Lifesaving Department via an Application for Involvement in a Special Event form in the Lifesaving Portal.
The Lifesaving Department, in consultation with the State Officer (Aerial Services) must review the request.
The generated image includes the QR code, the SLSSA logo, and the SOP name underneath. The SOP name can be cropped out if only the QR code is required.
This document must not be displayed, including in a patrol room, or reproduced in any form, without permission from the Lifesaving Department, Surf Life Saving SA.