Three new Emergency Response Beacons (ERBs) have been installed at unpatrolled beaches in the Byron Shire.
The ERBs are located at:
- South Head rock wall, at Brunswick Heads
- Kendall Street, Belongil Beach
- Clifford Street, Tallow Beach.
These locations were identified by Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) as blackspots for drownings.
Members of the public can use an ERB to report an incident or emergency and to call for help on these beaches that are not patrolled by surf lifesavers.
They have an intercom that that connects directly to emergency services as well as a camera so that SLSNSW operators can monitor the emergency and provide reassurance to the caller.
The aim of the ERBs is to help local lifeguard/lifesaving operations by decreasing response times and providing more accurate location details for responders.
The installation of the ERBS is a partnership with Council and SLSNSW which will also maintain the equipment.
The ERBs are funded by the NSW Government.
SLS NSW monitors 32 ERBs on the state's coastline with 20 to be installed over the next 12 months.
The locations are determined by SLSNSW.
