VOLUNTEER RESCUE ASSOCIATION

1 VOLUNTEER RESCUE ASSOCIATION MEMBERS HAND BOOK NAME UNIT NSW Volunteer Rescue Association MARINE RESCUE OPERATIONS

2 Preface A: The 2007 VRA Executive Preface B: The 2007 Marine Sub-committee Ch.1 History of the Association Ch.2 Aims and Methods Ch.3 VRA State Executive Ch.4 General Land Squads Ch.5 Marine Rescue Units Ch.6 Marine Unit Structure Ch.7 Finance Ch.8 Training Ch.9 Uniforms Ch.10 Insignia and Ratings Ch.11 Emblems and Flags Ch.12 Inductions Ch.13 Log Books Ch.14 Members Ch.15 Agreement

3 Preface A. VRA EXECUTIVE MEMBERS Patron Max Walters AM MBE President Ray Gill ESM Vice President Gary Raymond APM Honorary Secretary Wal Lingen ESM Honorary Treasurer Grace Matts Public Relations Officer Harry Mitchell Data Coordinator Mark Gibson Director of Training Harvey Black ESM Director of Operations Phil Dutton Country Director of Operations Mark Constable Sydney & Statewide Honorary Auditor John Sunman Uniform Coordinator Trevor & Terry Millgate

VRA REGIONAL COORDINATORS 4 00 - Sydney and Statewide Groups Region Coordinator - Cath Drahiem 01 - Far North Coast Region Coordinator - John Gracie 02 - New England Region Coordinator - Col Stewart 03 - Orana Region Coordinator - Les Clarke ESM 05 - Murray Region Coordinator - John Boyd 06 - Riverina Region Coordinator - Wal Lingen ESM 07 - Central Western Region Coordinator - Glen Hinton 08 - South Eastern Region Coordinator - Debra Scans 09 Hunter Region Coordinator - Trevor Milgate OAM 10 Illawarra Region Coordinator - Peter Pullen 11 - Mid North Coast Region Coordinator - Peter Mostyn

Preface B. 5 VRA MARINE SUB COMMITTEE Chairman Bill Carter (Shoalhaven) Deputy Chairman Bernie Gabriel (Point Danger) Secretary Stephen Reading (Wooli) COORDINATORS Marine Training Coordinator (North) John Murray (Woolgoolga) Marine Training Coordinator (South) Peter Taylor (Shoalhaven)

Chapter 1. 6 HISTORY OF THE ASSOCIATION GENERAL LAND RESCUE The first VRA specialist squad, the Bushwalkers Wilderness Rescue, was formed in the mid 1930's. The first VRA General Land Rescue Squad was formed in 1950 to assist Police with recovery of persons from the Murrumbidgee River, to provide flood rescue, evacuations and ferrying of food and medicines between isolated communities around Wagga Wagga in southern NSW. Soon after the Wagga Wagga Rescue Squad became involved in general land rescue. In 1960 the Bourke Rescue Squad was formed followed in 1962 by the Dubbo Rescue Squad. In 1969, at the suggestion of the State Police Commissioner several volunteer rescue squads (Albury, Dubbo, Narrandera and Wagga Wagga) met and formed the Volunteer Rescue Association. VRA Rescue Squads continued to be established where a need existed and the Police, Ambulance, Fire Brigade and local community supported the establishment of a volunteer rescue squad. To-day, the VRA provides a comprehensive rescue service to the community. Through task related standardisation of equipment, communications, training and command structure, VRA Squads are readily combined to form larger units during major incidents.

7 MARINE RESCUE SQUADS OUR CHARTER: SAFETY OF LIVES AT SEA. The Marine Rescue Squads of the VRA patrol the NSW coastline between Narooma in the South to the Queensland Border in the North. All rescue units are manned entirely by volunteers, who, in the majority of cases, provide 24 hour coverage of their respective region. As with all affiliates of the VRA, marine squads are autonomous, in so much as they provide a service to suit their area, their Rescue Vessel is designed and built to suit the local conditions, and each unit is responsible to raise and control their own money and manage their affairs within the overall principles and policies of the VRA. Each marine rescue squad receives funding from Waterways, which is approximately 11% of their annual budget, so fund raising is a vital role of our members, to pay for their rescue vessels, radio equipment and running costs, including fuel. The Marine Radio Bases monitor all marine emergency frequencies and have a logging service for local and visiting vessels going to sea. In addition to the 21 rescue vessels operated by the marine squads and fixed radio bases, they also provide mobile radio rooms, which are activated in emergency search and rescue situations for localised command and control. The NSW marine squads work to the regulations set down by the State Rescue Board and act under instructions from the NSW Police Service.

Chapter 2. 8 AIMS AND METHODS The NSW Volunteer Rescue Association Inc, generally known as the VRA, is an affiliation of 75 community based volunteer rescue organisations providing accredited primary response, maritime and specialist rescue resources across Australia's most populated state. Since the early 1960's the VRA Affiliates have pioneered the development of dedicated general land rescue squads and technical rescue squads. The VRA was formed in 1969 with the support of Police, Fire, Ambulance and Civil Defence organisations to provide dedicated rescue units in country areas on New South Wales. The VRA is recognised as an emergency service organisation under the NSW State Emergency and Rescue management Act. The VRA provides Primary Response Rescue coverage to more people outside the Newcastle/Sydney/Wollongong metropolitan areas than any other service (full time or volunteer). The VRA is the only volunteer service accredited by the State Rescue Board of New South Wales for all forms of search and rescue. The VRA is the second largest supplier of accredited primary rescue units in New South Wales. VRA Rescue Squads provide general land, motor vehicle, industrial, rural, vertical (high angle), maritime (inshore and offshore), inland water (rivers, dams, etc), caves, underwater (search and recovery), wilderness, aerial observation, alpine Search and Rescue and communications. In many areas of the State, VRA Affiliates provide the storm and flood response capability under the operational control of the Local State Emergency Service Controller. The VRA has provided this capability since 1950 when the Wagga Wagga Rescue Squad was formed.

Chapter 3. 9 VRA STATE EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT SECRETARY TREASURER DIRECTOR OF TRAINING REGIONAL COORDINATORS MARINE SUB-COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN VICE CHAIRMAN SECRETARY DELEGATES TO VOLUNTEER MARINE RESCUE COUNCIL: (Chairman and Secretary) MARINE TRAINING COORDINATORS: (Northern and Southern Regions)

Chapter 4. 10 GENERAL LAND RESCUE SQUADS Albury Balranald Bangalow Barraba Batemans Bay Batlow Bega Bellingen Berrigan Binalong Bowral/Mittagong Bowraville Brunswick Heads Bulahdelah Burren Junction Byron Bay Casino Cessnock Coleambally Coolah Coonabarabran Corowa Deniliquin Denman Dubbo Finley Glen Innes Gulgong Guyra Inverell Junee Kingscliff Leeton Lithgow Macksville Manilla Merriwa Moama/Echuca Mudgee Mullumbimby Murrurundi Murwillumbah Nambucca Heads Narooma Narrabri Narrandera Narromine Nyngan Penrith Quirindi Rylstone/Kandos Taree Tocumwal Tumut Tweed Heads Ulladulla/South Urunga Wagga Wagga Warren Werris Creek Wingham Wyong Shire Yass

Chapter 5. 11 MARINE RESCUE UNITS Bar Point - Hawkesbury River Brunwick Heads Camden Haven Lord Howe Island Marine Nambucca Heads Narooma Point Danger - Tweed Heads Port Macquarie Shoalhaven Heads Tuross Head Tweed Coast Woolgoolga Wooli UNITS WITH SPECIALIST ACCREDITATION Bushwalkers Search and Rescue Cave Rescue CREST Australian Air Patrol Civil Air Patrol Namoi Air Patrol WICEN Ski Patrol South Coast Rescue OTHER UNITS National Association for Loss and Grief Norfolk Island (South Pacific Ocean) Rescue Squad

Chapter 6. 12 MARINE UNIT STRUCTURE UNIT COMMANDER DEPUTY COMMANDER SECRETARY TREASURER COMMITTEE MARINE RESCUE UNIT TRAINING MARINE RADIO BASE FUNDRAISING DUTY OFFICERS MEMBERS

Chapter 7. 13 FINANCE All Marine Unit subscriptions are payable in advance by the last day of June in each year. After this date, and until due payment is made and a receipt issued, the member shall be regarded as un-financial, possess no voting rights, not be covered by insurance and must be non-operational. If payment has still not been received by the last day of August, then membership is forfeited and any future renewal will entail a new application for Provisional membership. Obviously any continuity of service will also be forfeited. GENERAL FINANCE With certain Constitutional provisos, funds or property received by way of a gift or subsidy from any source, regardless of who receives it initially whether it be VRA State Executive or Marine Sub-committee or any officer of these Boards or any individual member, where the gift or subsidy is directly related to or directly due to an activity of a Marine Rescue Unit, the person or Board in receipt of this gift or subsidy must pass it without delay to the Marine Rescue Units concerned. All funds and property coming into the possession or control of a Marine Rescue Unit remain in its possession and under its control with discretionary power to deal with it in pursuit of the objects of the Association. Marine Rescue Units must appoint a responsible person to maintain a proper and correct record of all funds and property coming into their possession or under their control and they must also ensure that proper care is taken of any such property. Each Marine Rescue Unit has the power to buy, sell, mortgage, lease or otherwise deal with land and assets and to borrow money, using its property as security. The legal title to any such land or assets must be in the name of the Incorporated Marine Rescue Unit.

Chapter 8. 14 TRAINING Training within the Marine Rescue Units is carried out under affiliation with the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association, which is a Registered Training Organisation. The Training System used by this Association was converted during the 1990 s to Competency Based Training or, as you will have heard the reference, CBT. As the name implies, the training is based on a member becoming competent to carry out a range of activities, that: are relative to the workplace activity (e.g. rostered duty in the Unit Communications Room, on-water vessel operations, or others) are the result of training provided that is accepted as conforming to a set standard. Experienced members qualified in both the subject matter and the methods of instruction provide the Instruction. The Assessment of competency is conducted against set criteria, skills and knowledge. Records of training achievements are maintained to provide evidence for the receipt of a Training Award. At this time of our development, there are streams available to members in: Seamanship Communications

15 SEAMANSHIP Many would see the skills associated with the on-water operations of our Rescue Vessels as being one of the major defining characteristics of our Association. It must of course be remembered that not all members will be suited to all on-water skills and their competence in this very onerous aspect of operations will, of necessity, change as they age or suffer any restricting or debilitating injuries. To ensure that at all times the efficiency and safety of on-water operations are not compromised it is necessary for members engaged in these activities to be prepared to undergo regular assessments of their current competencies and capabilities. This training stream is structured to provide graded qualifications for members from those who can safely move around a vessel to those who can be responsible for a vessel and crew in adverse conditions at sea or to coordinate a full Search and Rescue Operation. Today, the public makes no distinction in their expectation of the skill and training levels of the volunteers and the full time, paid professionals. Likewise governments will only accredit and fund an organisation that can clearly and unambiguously demonstrate the competency levels of its members. The various qualifications and levels are as follows: AVCGA Competent Crew AVCGA Advanced Crew AVCGA Coxswain

16 COMMUNICATIONS This is a broad heading that includes the staff of all of our Base Station Radio and Operations Centres. These members have day-to-day contact with the Boating Public, both on the water and those that use the telephone, fax and e-mail to make enquiries. Some Operations Centres also have public enquiry counters where the Public may call in for direct discussion about their concerns. Duty Officer (SARCC) - in overall charge of the Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (SARCC), which in many cases includes the Communications Room, under the control of a Radio Officer. - oversees and coordinates all Base Station Staff involved in gathering task information. - develops, in conjunction with the Duty Skipper, an Operational Plan in response to a call for assistance and follow-up to maintain and support the Unit Rescue Vessel/s whilst they are operational on the water. - reports to the Unit Commander and works closely in conjunction with the Rescue Vessel Skipper. Radio Officer - a member in charge of the Communications Room who reports to the Unit Commander or the Rostered Duty Officer as laid down in the Marine Unit Structure. Radio Operator - a member qualified with a marine radio certificate who receives and transmits messages using Marine Radio. - Is often required to take telephone messages and enquiries.

Chapter 9. 17 UNIFORMS All members are encouraged to equip themselves with as complete a range of uniforms as possible. There are occasions when Work or Dress uniform is highly desirable. However the Association is only too well aware of the costs involved and, because of limited corporate support, recognises Regular Uniform (Rig #1) as the basic uniform and this is acceptable on all occasions. It must be emphasised that no member may be discouraged from aspiring to any position or office because of a lack of an extensive wardrobe of uniforms. RIG # 1 REGULAR UNIFORM The basic uniform for all members of the Association. Shirts: Male: VRA White Polo shirt with VRA collar & cuffs + VRA logo on pocket or Marine Rescue lightweight work shirts (Fluoro yellow). Female: VRA White Polo shirt with VRA collar & cuffs + VRA logo on pocket or Marine Rescue lightweight work shirts (Fluoro yellow). Shorts, Trousers and Skirts: Male: Order of the day. Female: Order of the day.

18 Rig # 2 Dress Uniform - recommended for officers attending formal /semi-formal public occasions. Shirt: Male: White (Yakka style), short / long sleeve, cloth epaulettes, and button down pockets with plain buttons. Female: As male or with optional cut in style. Worn out over skirt Trousers: Male - Grey (Pleat front, Perm. Press) Skirts: Female Grey (Midlength) Footwear: Black Ties: Association (Male and Female) Belt: Association

Chapter 10. 19 INSIGNIA AND RATINGS - VRA circular patch on Right sleeve 25mm below shoulder seam. - Marine Rescue Unit patch on Left sleeve 25mm below shoulder seam. - Ratings patch centred 25mm above top of RHS breast pocket flap. - Trainer / Assessor coronet worn 25mm below LHS MRU sleeve patch. - Epaulettes (soft) with (VRA Marine Rescue) wording. - Gold anchors (Seamanship) or Lightning Bolt (Communications). - Approved name badge on RHS breast pocket flap - Service ribbons & external awards (immediately above LHS pocket flap) On-Water Operations: A C Competent Crew Advanced Crew Coxswain Communications: Radio Operator Radio Officer Duty Officer Training: TRAINER or ASSESSOR BRASS CERT IV OR TAA 40104 - SILVER To be worn on left sleeve, centred 25mm below the MRU badge. Can be worn concurrently with other ratings badges.

Chapter 11. 20 EMBLEMS AND FLAGS VRA Emblem VRA Association flag VRA Australian Flag - The Australian National Flag is worn by all Association vessels and flown at land establishments between sunrise and sunset.

Chapter 12. 21 INDUCTIONS Association Induction When a new member joins this Association, some fundamental and basic training needs to be completed. This basic training is known as Association Induction. It is in three parts, namely: 1) Safety Induction This should be completed at the beginning of the first duty roster and be provided by an experienced member of that Unit. - All members, who intend to follow the seamanship stream, are required to be familiarised with safety procedures and SOPs that exist for the Marine Unit vessel / vessels. - All members, as well as Radio and Administrative members, should undertake an orientation and familiarisation tour of the radio room and base. It is important to again emphasis any possible safety procedures and SOPs within the radio room and base. - All members should undertake orientation and familiarisation with all equipment and vehicles. 2)a. Seamanship Induction (for those entering the seamanship stream) This Association is primarily an Education and Rescue Organisation, and therefore all members are required to have a basic knowledge of the theory of seamanship at its fundamental level. This level is to be consistent with the requirements of a Licence to Operate a Recreational Vessel (Power Boat Licence). If a member joins and already has this licence, or if they have a qualification (e.g. Commercial Coxswain) and the document (copy) is provided, do not waste your time or theirs in ascertaining skill but continue with the rest of the Induction. If they join without any prior experience at all, arrange for them to attend a Boating Safety Seminar and let them take the opportunity, to be tested by a NSW Maritime, Authorised Testing Officer. Record the licence number on the member s file.

22 2)b. Radio Induction (for those entering the communications stream) For members who are seeking to act as Marine Radio operators only, it is required that they either already have, or gain, a Marine Radio Operators Certificate of Proficiency. If they join without any prior experience at all, arrange for them to attend a course of instruction and let them take the opportunity, to be tested by an Authorised Testing Officer. Record the licence number issued by OMC on the member s file. 3) Training Regular members enrolled in training must have a 'Personal Training Plan (PTP) prepared by the MTO for their particular training destination. Whatever the choice of the member, the following requirements shall apply: i. If a member wishes to follow the Seamanship Stream of Duty, the member must become qualified as "Competent Crew" ii. If a member wishes to follow the Communications Stream of Duty, the members must become qualified as Marine Radio Base Operator iii. If a member wishes to follow the Education Stream of Duty, the member must become competent in either BSZ 404A Train Small Groups or TAA DEL301A. Members may only instruct up to the level of their current rating. Members may wish to follow all three streams or any combination of the three. All training leading to the award of a Coast Guard rating will be competency based. All members are encouraged to improve their skills, knowledge and further training is available.

Chapter 13. 23 LOG BOOKS - Sea Time Log This log is provided to you to record your experience gained whilst working on the Unit Rescue Vessel or other approved vessels. Various Seamanship Qualifications require you to gain experience, so that you can be truly operational at that qualification Level. - Radio Operator s Log This log is provided for the recording of the hours you have been on active radio duty in the Radio Base. (Please log any time using the radio on the Rescue Vessel as Sea Time.) If you wish to undertake personal development in the Radio Stream, you will find the next higher rating needs evidence of experience at a specific level. Your completed log forms part of that evidence. - Trainee s Log This is to provide a record of any Training received, and can include supervised practice and unsupervised practice, as long as an appropriate officer (e.g. Vessel Skipper, MTO, a Leading Instructor, or a specialist in that training field) has witnessed it. - Instructor s Log This log is provided to allow a record of your time spent in: Preparation Training Aids Production Delivery of training Assessment of Competency Record Keeping Instructor s self-development.

Chapter 14. 24 MEMBERS Experience has shown that the recruiting of members must be carried out not only with energy but also with discretion. It is essential that a prospective member be given a clear picture of the Association s function and requirements in order that there shall be no effort wasted in training personnel who are not prepared to devote adequate time and effort to duty. Interviewers of prospective members should pay careful attention to their general attitude and the reasons they offer for wanting to join the Association. Please note that the Constitution (Cl. 9(a)) directs us to the fact that prospective members need to satisfy the interviewer that it would be of advantage to the Association that they should be a member. Even with this procedure, there will remain a percentage of inadequate members not pulling their weight. It is therefore necessary to recruit the maximum possible number of suitable new members to obtain a properly functioning nucleus but the Members at all Costs attitude is not a valid philosophy. Prospective members, in making application to join, will be required to furnish the Association with some personal details on an approved form and should, at this point, be informed of our Privacy Policy, which ensures them that this information will only be used internally, and not released to third parties. Having satisfied the requirements of eligibility (viz. any bona fide Australian resident of good character who is eighteen years of age or older and having satisfied a delegated interviewer ) a prospective member must apply for Provisional status on the prescribed form and forward this, together with the current subscription - and joining fee, if any to the Administration Officer of the Marine Rescue Unit to which the applicant desires to be admitted. A new member s service is deemed to start from the time of their acceptance by the Marine Unit General Meeting as a Provisional member. Having been accepted by a Marine Unit General Meeting and having agreed to promote the objects of the Association, a Provisional member shall have a maximum of three (3) months, to attend an approved safety induction course. gain, or show evidence of, a seamanship qualification (for e.g. a power boat licence). enrol and be inducted into an approved training course, for their chosen stream of duty. Failure to follow this procedure within the initial three-month period may result in forfeiture of membership. The provisional member having qualified as outlined above: shall be accepted as a full member at a Marine Unit General Meeting and be dressed in the correct Marine Rescue uniform. Provisional member uniform is that of a Regular member except that the member epaulettes and collar insignia are not worn.

25 Chapter 15. AGREEMENT I... before being accepted as a Regular - (Name) Member of the Volunteer Rescue Association, pledge myself faithfully, to serve the State of New South Wales as a member of that Association, to obey the lawful orders of my superior Officers/Authorities, to uphold the honour and dignity of the Association and to serve in all ways to the best of my ability. Signature: Date:.. Witness:. Date:.