CMW Search & Rescue Procedure and Contacts
If you are a relative or friend of someone on a walk, and that person has not returned when expected, the first thing to remember is DON'T PANIC. Coast and Mountain Walkers, along with Bushwalking NSW, have well-organised procedures in place to deal with such a situation.
1.) Party overdue. Overdue parties are usually fine, but have hit some situation that has caused a delay (swollen creek, bogged vehicle etc). Wait about 15 hours after the expected return time before calling one of the CMW Search and Rescue Contacts below. If you have been emailed or been left with a copy of the Leader's Form (Trip Intentions Form), have that handy when you call. The club's Search and Rescue contacts have access to this form also, as well as lots of other needed information, if a search turns out to be necessary.
|
Jeff Howard Webmaster |
9807 3649 (H) 0408 960 274 (M) |
|
Geoff Moxon Walks Secretary |
9808 3448 (H) 0431 039 370 (M) |
|
Alan Dixon Treasurer |
9799 6139 (H) 0409 902 168 (M) |
|
Duncan Cross |
9743 5128 (H) 0414 813 958 (M) |
If none of the above people can be contacted, then the NSW State Emergency Service Bush Search and Rescue (NSW SES BSAR) should be contacted through the NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) by telephoning 132 500. Refer to www.bsar.org.au for more details. For an immediate life threatening emergency, call 000.
2.) Locator Beacon activated. If you have been rung by AMSA (Australian Maritime Safety Authority) because your friend's/relative's Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) has been activated, the situation is more urgent. Acknowledge that the party is in the area where the beacon has gone off, and give any other information that you have. If you have a copy of the Trip Intentions Form (Leaders Form), there is useful information on that. If needed, state that you will try to obtain more information about the party. Get a contact number for the person ringing from AMSA, then ring one of the contacts above so they can start obtaining all the information that authorities want, if you do not have it.