9.9 Flood Operations (Coastal Flooding)

Purpose

To provide operational guidance for SLS activities during flood response operations.

Overview

SLS may provide approved flood operations support capabilities in accordance with organisational operational plans, tasking arrangements, and inter-agency coordination requirements.

SLS personnel remain under SLS command arrangements while operating in support of the Control Agency.

Flood operations may involve prolonged operational periods, hazardous environments, contaminated water exposure, and complex inter-agency coordination requirements.

Procedure

Operational Scope

SLS personnel may be tasked to assist with approved flood response support activities including:

• Coastal and marine support operations,
• Shoreline reconnaissance and observation,
• Logistics and transport support,
• Communications support,
• Welfare support activities,
• Evacuation support where approved,
• Sandbagging and community assistance activities,
• Support to emergency management operations centres, and
• Other approved support activities as directed.

SLS personnel must not:

• Self-deploy to flood incidents,
• Independently undertake flood search and rescue operations,
• Conduct swift water rescue operations,
• Enter floodwaters without authorisation,
• Operate outside approved tasking arrangements, or
• Undertake operations beyond member qualifications, competencies, or operational capability.

Command and Coordination

Deployments will only occur following tasking through the State Operations Centre (SOC).

During significant flood events, SLS may establish a State Coordination Team (SCT) or deploy Liaison Officers to support inter-agency coordination arrangements.

Lifesaving facilities may be utilised to support emergency management operations where approved and operationally suitable.

Local Response Restrictions

• Under no circumstances are independent local deployments permitted.
• All deployment requests must be referred to the State Operations Centre (SOC).
• Patrol operations should be suspended where conditions present unacceptable risk to members or the public.
• Members and key operational equipment should be relocated from high risk areas where required.
• Personnel should await further operational direction following evacuation or relocation activities.
• Flood response operations must only occur following formal tasking and approval processes.

Floodwater Safety

Floodwaters present significant operational hazards including:

• Contamination and biological hazards,
• Electrical hazards,
• Hidden debris and submerged objects,
• Unstable surfaces and erosion,
• Entrapment hazards,
• Reduced visibility,
• Vessel instability, and
• Rapidly changing water conditions.

Appropriate PPE must be utilised during all flood response operations, including:

• Personal flotation devices,
• Helmets,
• Protective footwear,
• Gloves, and
• Task specific protective equipment as required.

IRB Operations

Inflatable Rescue Boats (IRBs) may only be utilised where operationally approved and conditions remain within organisational capability limitations.

IRBs must not be operated in floodwaters where flow rates are equal to or greater than 2km/h.

Under no circumstances are IRBs to be utilised for swift water rescue operations.

Welfare and Fatigue Management

Flood response operations may involve prolonged operational activity and exposure to traumatic or hazardous environments.

Operational leaders should ensure appropriate:

• Crew rotations,
• Hydration and nutrition,
• Welfare monitoring,
• Rest arrangements,
• PPE decontamination, and
• Post incident welfare support.

References

• State Emergency Management Plan, Part 3: Guidelines and Frameworks, Annex A: Evacuations
• SLSSA Flood Response Plan (to be issued)