The environment in which surf lifesaving operates has the potential for members and staff to be involved in incidents of a traumatic nature. Such incidents could include the loss of life, the provision of emergency care, search and rescue operations, or a serious incident involving fellow lifesavers.
Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) is committed to lessening the impact of critical incident stress on members, staff and their families by providing best practice support following an incident. The approach below outlines the support to available following critical incidents.
Critical Incident Support Process
SLSNSW have adopted a best practice approach to supporting our members and staff following a critical incident. For some people, critical incidents may be potentially traumatic events, and it is hard to predict how people may respond or be affected, and the level of support they may require.
Accordingly, SLSNSW have implemented a support process whereby all members and staff that are directly involved in a critical incident as part of their Surf Life Saving duties, or who are present and witness a critical incident, will be connected with support post-incident. As part of this process, they will be provided with a range of options and resources to ensure their ongoing wellbeing and health.
Members and staff will receive follow up support within certain timeframes to review their coping and recovery and ensure that any strong responses or reactions post-event can be effectively assessed and managed by the appropriate person. These individual Well Checks will be delivered by Branch Peer Support Officers and the SLSNSW Wellbeing Team.
Where possible, Branch Peer Support Officers will attend critical incidents and facilitate a Wellbeing Session to check-in with members and provide information about available post-incident support. The Wellbeing Session will be delivered after an Operational Debrief which will be facilitated by the Duty Officer.
Onsite – Same Day Support
Post Incident Support
Member Assistance Program
The Member Assistance Program (‘MAP’) provides free, confidential counselling to members from NSW Surf Life Saving Clubs. Support is available to members for concerns or issues arising from their involvement in surf lifesaving, such as being involved in a critical incident or a club grievance.
Our Member Assistance Program is provided by Converge International, a leading provider for emergency services and organisations within Australia. Members are entitled to access up to four sessions to support them in their involvement with surf lifesaving. There are multiple ways that members can book a session with a counsellor from Converge.
MAP support is available via multiple modes, including:
- Face-to-face counselling
- Telehealth counselling including Live Chat and Video counselling (e.g. Teams, Zoom etc.).
- Self-help resources available on Converge International digital platform and App.
Converge International’s call centre is based in Melbourne and all calls are triaged for urgent support. The centre is open 24/7 and available 365 days a year. Standard appointments are generally available within 2 business days and can be made via multiple channels to accommodate personal needs and preferences:
- Instant online booking via the app or website: Online Booking (converge-online.com)
- Phone: 1300 687 327
- Live chat service through the website: EAP Provider Australia | Converge International
SLSNSW Organisation Code (for online/App) is: SLSNSW
The Converge International app can be downloaded for iPhone and Android devices
Post Critical Incident Resources
Surf Lifesaving has developed a number of resources that may be helpful in the days and weeks following a critical incident. These can be accessed in a digital format in the tab below.
- Critical Incident Wellbeing Guide
- Self Care Strategies
- Psychological First Aid Guide
- Critical Incident Support Business Card
- Peer Support and Critical Incident Management Overviews and Procedures
National Emergency Workers Support Service
The National Emergency Workers Support Service (NEWSS) by the Black Dog Institute provides access to free confidential mental health support to Emergency Service Volunteers and Staff. Surf Life Saving members and staff can access support through this service, in addition to the SLSNSW critical incident support framework. Through this service members can access a range of services including online mental health checks, up to twelve free sessions with a clinician and resources for caring for friends and family affected by critical incidents.
Please see the Factsheet for more information.