Tasmania selected for Surf Life Saving Australia's inaugural Flood & Swift Water Rescue National Centre of Excellence

Surf Life Saving Australia together with Surf Life Saving Tasmania has announced Tasmania as the location of their first National Centre of Excellence for Flood, Swift Water and Rescue, and for a masterclass program for Australia.

Surf Life Saving Australia have set aside $150,000 per year over four years to support the delivery of training and the purchase of equipment. 

This ground-breaking national project has the full support of the Tasmanian Government, who recognises the benefit to communities across Australia. 

Tasmanian surf lifesavers have excelled in recent years in this specialised area and have been called upon to assist flood victims in Tasmania, and other states over recent years.

This National Centre of Excellence will draw on Surf Life Saving Tasmania’s experience and international best practice to educate and equip surf lifesaving volunteers from around Australia with the necessary skills to perform flood and swift water rescues.

SLSA President John Baker shared “the skills and dedication of our surf lifesavers extends well beyond our coastline and this National Centre of Excellence will only enhance our ability to continue to save lives and support our local communities in times of need.

“We are delighted to make this announcement and are excited to work closely with Surf Life Saving Tasmania to train and further develop these important and specialised skills. 

“The skills, experience and work undertaken to date by volunteer surf lifesavers in Tasmania is internationally regarded, and the natural and built environment provide amazing opportunities for quality skills training creating an unmatched opportunity for Surf Life Saving Australia to set up this inaugural national Centre of Excellence.”

After the floods of 2016 devastated Tasmania where SLST volunteers undertook brave rescues at significant risk to their safety, SLST identified a need for further training and experience for surf lifesaving volunteers and since this time, SLST has invested into international best practice training, resources, and research, leading to recognition by emergency services, governments, and even internationally as an example of best practice. 

Surf Life Saving Tasmania President, Stuart Paine added “In the aftermath of the Tasmanian floods in June 2016, Surf Life Saving Tasmania undertook a thorough review of our involvement. We recognised that our members possess transferable skills that can extend beyond the beach, enabling us to play a significant support and response role in flood rescue.

“Our commitment to excellence led us to research both national and international best practices, shaping our capacity to respond effectively to flood rescue needs, both within Tasmania and during interstate deployments. 

“It’s important to acknowledge that our accomplishments have been made possible through grants and the remarkable commitment of our volunteers. 

“Surf Life Saving Tasmania’s journey from the beach to floodwaters showcases the versatility and dedication of our volunteers. 

“In spite of our state’s size, Surf Life Saving Tasmania takes immense pride in our ability to give back to the larger national organisation and providing another area of water safety support to our local communities, especially with the increased frequency of natural disasters.” 

Tasmanian Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, Felix Ellis noted “SLST is an important flood response agency in Tasmania and works closely with the State Emergency Service and Tasmania Police to rescue Tasmanians from swift flood waters.

“SLST has been actively involved in emergency events in Tasmania for some time, including the 2016, 2018 and 2022 flood events.

“Since 2016, SLST has worked closely with our emergency services to improve Tasmania’s resilience and preparedness for flood events, and we saw the success of these partnerships during the October 2022 flood events that swept through the North and North West of Tasmania.

“Having Tasmania as the location of the SLSA’s Centre of Excellence for Flood, Swift Water and Rescue recognises that the talents of SLST are highly sought after by other Australian jurisdictions as well as other countries.

“As a volunteer organisation, SLST has worked hard to keep Tasmanians safe and I congratulate them on their achievements and for this recognition.”

Image. Credit: Surf Life Saving