

Operations Support
89% of all drownings across the coast of Queensland occur outside of the flags!
We exist to extend our reach far beyond the red and yellow flags, operating roving patrols across the coastline.
Our dedicated members serve as a critical response capability to incidents for the bathing public by patrolling dangerous and unpatrolled areas.
Operations Support Services Include:
- Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter Rescue Service
- Rescue Water Crafts (JetSki’s)
- SurfCom (State Operations and Communication Centre)
- Duty Officers
- Dawn and Dusk Patrol
- Emergency Response Groups (including night operations)
- Search and Rescue
Operations Support is a crucial development in surf rescue and continues to lead in innovation for white water rescue.
This specialised skill set and rapid motorised response units are on call 24 hours a day and provide an invaluable layer of support for our clubs and the community.
Become a Member!
The pre-requisites for becoming a member vary depending on the team you wish to join. However, at a minimum you will need to be a financial member of a Queensland Surf Life Saving Club.
OUR OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT SERVICES EXTEND OUR REACH FAR BEYOND THE RED AND YELLOW FLAGS.
Across Queensland lifesavers and lifeguards on the beach are supported by the Lifesaving Operations Support. These services are critical to our operation, patrolling dangerous and unpatrolled areas and helping guide people back into the flagged areas.
Operations Support services include:
Rescue Water Crafts
The Rescue Water Craft Operator or RWC (jet ski) service works closely with on-beach lifesavers to conduct roving patrols, surveillance and rescue missions along the coastline. As an RWC operator, you will use your training and skills to manage and operate this vital piece of lifesaving equipment to watch over and protect beachgoers.
State Operations and Communication Centre Operator
As a SurfCom Operator, you will play a key role behind the scenes, liaising with on-beach lifesavers and coordinating SLSQ’s response to coastal incidents, rescues and major first aid treatments in real time. You will provide an important link to emergency services and will be responsible for liaising directly with police and ambulance officers when required. You will also take charge of monitoring activity along Queensland’s expansive coastline using state-of-the-art technology, including GPS tracking and SLSQ’s wide-reaching network of coastal surveillance cameras.
Duty Officer
The Duty Officer role is a voluntary position, primarily performing rostered duty across SLSQ’s designated patrol season. The position is designed to use suitably qualified members to enhance delivery of lifesaving services across South East Queensland.
Duty Officers provide vital support to surf life saving clubs and patrol captains each weekend, ensuring that services are rolled out effectively and efficiently across South East Queensland. As a Duty Officer, you will be responsible for liaising with a wide range of key stakeholders including clubs, patrol captains & their patrol groups, emergency service organisations, SurfCom operators, individual members and media outlets to ensure that beach-goers are offered maximum protection and the best possible outcome is achieved for all parties.
Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service
SLSQ’s Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service is manned by both full-time and volunteer crewmembers. This structure ensures a rich blend of experience across the service, while also providing a clear pathway for volunteer surf lifesavers to upskill and transfer their patrol experience from the beach to the sky. Helicopter crewmembers are highly-trained, qualified and motivated members of the surf lifesaving movement. Helicopter crew can be both part-time or full-time, depending on the requirements of the service and the individual.
Crewmembers actively and regularly participate in helicopter patrols along South East Queensland’s coastline, monitoring for swimmers in distress and/or other incidents unfolding on the beach. All crewmembers are proficient in surf jump/static line and basic down-the-wire hoist operations. This ensures they play a key role in helicopter rescues, entering the water to directly assist swimmers in need.
Emergency Response Groups
The Emergency Response Groups (ERG) are designed to be an after-hours callout service to complement and support emergency services through our skills and equipment during times of need.
SLSQ continues to directly work with the Queensland Police Service, Queensland Ambulance Service, State Emergency Service, Emergency Management Queensland, Queensland Fire and Rescue Service and Local Disaster Management Groups to develop key strategies as to how our resources and volunteers can best be used during emergency situations.
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