Training for when tragedy strikes

A tragic missing person search earlier this year provided a real-world case study as Inverloch’s next generation of lifesaving leaders recently underwent emergency service training.

About 20 emerging leaders aged 16-18 from the Inverloch Surf Life Saving Club took part in this year’s Inverloch Life Saving Search and Rescue Program (ILSAR).

It’s a four-day residential program that’s designed to prepare them for incidents they very well may face on patrol one day.

Those participating stay at the club and take part in activities from 7am until 10pm each day, having the chance to hear from emergency service personnel including police, paramedics, Water Police and the SES.

On Friday, October 2, participants met with members of Victoria Police to discuss the ways in which they work together during emergencies.

They also put those lessons into practice straight away.

Over the four days, they took part in intensive, scenario-based training including shallow water search techniques, jetty and rock rescues, and work alongside rescue watercraft, with the opportunity to achieve their Silver Medallion Aquatic Rescue award.

One exercise done by the group involved a practice missing person search stretching from Inverloch to Cape Paterson, while the session with Wonthaggi Police covered how major incidents are managed and what information officers need from lifesavers, as well as how the two groups can work together on the beach.

During their session with police, emerging leaders also got the opportunity to take a bit of a closer look at police equipment, like firearms, Tasers, handcuffs, and try on a police vest.

Sergeant Zane Maligeorgos from Wonthaggi Police said the importance of establishing relationships between police and lifesavers before an emergency couldn’t be overstated.

“It’s bridging the gap and building relationships between local lifesavers and police, so that way we have an established relationship prior to any emergency management incidents,” he said.

“It’s demystifying a lot of what we do, making available educational resources and how we manage situations.”

He said the sessions were also beneficial for police, giving them a chance to better understand the resources lifesavers can provide during an emergency.

“The main takeaway is breaking down the barriers between lifesavers and us, so they’re not apprehensive in dealing with police,” Sgt Maligeorgos said.

The program was also held last year, but a major search at Venus Bay on Australia Day this year brought added relevance to this year’s training.

Twelve-year-old Danny, from Taylors Hill, disappeared while swimming at No 4 Beach on January 25, which prompted a major search involving police, Air Wing, Water Police, Coast Guard, SES and lifesavers.

His body was never recovered.

Senior Constable Megan Krause spoke at length to emerging lifesavers about her role supporting Danny’s family during the operation.

She spent four days with the family and acted as a link between them and emergency services, relaying information as the search developed.

“I was the conduit between the members and the family,” she said.

“Members would come to me and say, ‘Hey, this is what’s happening, this is what the search range is now, we’re getting new resources in tomorrow.’ And I would communicate everything, so that bond was building.”

During the police session, lifesavers were taken through how an incident would be managed if someone went missing in the water, including the role of police as the control agency, but also how important their expertise as lifesavers is on the ground.

They were also taught what information could prove critical.

For a missing child, Sgt Maligeorgos said one of the most important early questions was whether they were last seen on land or in the water, as the answer could dramatically change where emergency resources were directed.

ILSAR coordinator Xavier Korbel said the tragic event made these programs that much more relevant.

"Given the significant events of last summer, interagency collaboration is more relevant now than ever as we lead into next season. Programs like ILSAR, with attendance of agencies like Victoria Police, make sure our members aren't meeting these agencies for the first time in the middle of a real incident,” he said.

“It’s a really useful engagement tool for them to be more invested in lifesaving and build connections in the community.”