NSW SES Bush Search and Rescue

Last updated

NSW SES Bush Search and Rescue
Formation27 November 1936;82 years ago (1936-11-27)
Location
  • Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

NSW SES Bush Search and Rescue (SES BSAR) [1] (previously known as Bush Search and Rescue NSW, Bushwalkers Wilderness Rescue Squad (BWRS) and Bushwalkers Search and Rescue (B S&R) [2] is a remote and rugged area land search and rescue service in New South Wales, Australia established on 27 November 1936. [2] [3] NSW SES Bush Search and Rescue is a wholly volunteer operated, specialist squad of the NSW State Emergency Service.

Search and rescue Search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger

Search and rescue (SAR) is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger. The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, typically determined by the type of terrain the search is conducted over. These include mountain rescue; ground search and rescue, including the use of search and rescue dogs; urban search and rescue in cities; combat search and rescue on the battlefield and air-sea rescue over water.

Contents

The squad was formed based on the premise that the best people to search for missing bushwalkers are experienced bushwalkers, who are expected to understand the bush, to know how to navigate in difficult terrain, and to know the hidden passes and the common mistakes walkers make while trying to find a route in difficult country. [2] These days NSW SES Bush Search and Rescue searches not only for bushwalkers but also for elderly missing persons, despondent persons and victims of crime.

History

Testing the concept: 1932

Prior to formation of the Bushwalker Search and Rescue Section in November 1936, various bushwalking clubs realised the need for an organised search and rescue capability. [4] A search exercise was held in 1932 by members of the Sydney Bush Walkers and Mountain Trails Club looking for three lost walkers near the Royal National Park. [4] The lost walkers were located by their distress signal of three smoky fires even though the day was misty. There was a boom in bushwalking during the 1930s so a need for an adequate search and rescue response was identified. [4]

Formation: 1936

During early 1936, Ninian Melville of The New South Wales Federation of Bushwalking Clubs proposed that the federation form a "Topographic Bureau" that could provide walking information and to "record particulars of persons who would be available in cases of emergency for search and rescue parties." [4] Ninian was transferred to the country before this idea could be implemented. [4] Despite this, an event was soon to catalyze the formation of a Search and Rescue Section of the Federation.

On Saturday 3 October 1936, four young men set off to walk from Govetts Leap at Blackheath to Richmond via the Grose Valley. [5] The men took only enough food for three days as they were certain they would make Richmond by then. [5] A track was followed for the first two days but on the third day the track became hard to spot and the men encountered heavy vegetation. [5] On the fourth day heavy rain soaked the men and on the fifth day the men decided to split up: two would push on ahead and the other two would continue at their own pace behind. [5] Later that day, one of the lagging men, fatigued and out of food, could walk no further and decided to stay in a cave whilst the other would speed up and catch up with leading pair. [5] On the sixth day this man caught up to the leading pair but after encountering thick scrub and not having eaten for 30 hours one of the three men could not continue and camped in a cave whilst the remaining two pressed on. [5] Later that evening, a search party from Richmond had found the two walking men about 10 miles from Richmond and 20 miles from Blackheath. [5] The search team and located men then proceeded back together to the second cave to pick up the man resting there by evening. [5] The young man in the first cave was picked up by the group around 10:00 am on the seventh day. [5]

Search participants included police, bushwalkers and other civilians. [5] [6] Immediately after the search, a team of bushwalkers that were involved in the search including Paddy Pallin, suggested that a Search and Rescue group be established [6] in what appeared to be a move to deploy experienced bushwalker teams much faster into the field than what had traditionally been done. NSW Police agreed that a more organised and coordinated response to missing persons in the bush was needed using people with specialised knowledge and skills. A sub-committee consisting of Paddy Pallin (Convener), Robert Savage (Assistant Convener), Herb Freeman, Tom Herbert and Bill Holesgrove was formed in 1936 [4] and met several times prior to the formal establishment of the Search and Rescue Section.

Frank Austin "Paddy" Pallin was an Australian pioneer bushwalking and camping equipment retailer. He is best known for the Paddy Pallin chain of outdoors equipment stores he founded.

The Search and Rescue Section was formally established on 27 November 1936 [3] when The New South Wales Federation of Bushwalking Clubs concluded at a committee meeting that a Search and Rescue Section was acceptable [3] [4] and unanimously moved that the section "should be empowered to act on its own initiative" [4] rather than as a sub-committee of the Federation.

Preliminary organisation was completed by February 1937 with a "loosely organised unit" [6] established and the Commissioner of Police was informed of the unit. [4] The unit was "subsequently called out on many occasions" [6] and seemed to have a high success rate at locating lost bushwalkers. [6] This unit was called the Bushwalker Search and Rescue Section; the birth of the present day Bush Search and Rescue New South Wales.

Affiliation with the VRA: 1970

The Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) was formed as an oversight organisation to ensure standardisation of equipment and practices amongst the many community raised rescue squads in NSW. [7] Bushwalkers Search and Rescue Section affiliated with the VRA in 1970.

Incorporation: 2001

By 2000, changing times prompted the subcommittee to form into an incorporated entity, with more highly trained membership (requiring specialist skills to effectively work with other search agencies). On 16 February 2001 Bushwalkers Search and Rescue (B S&R) became an incorporated association and renamed to Bushwalkers Wilderness Rescue Squad (BWRS). [8]

Change of name: 2017

To better reflect the roles performed, on 14 March 2017 Bushwalkers Wilderness Rescue Squad (BWRS) was renamed to Bush Search and Rescue New South Wales Incorporated (BSAR NSW). [8]

A NSW SES unit: 2018

During April 2018, BSAR NSW members voted to cease affiliation with the Volunteer Rescue Association and register as a NSW State Emergency Service (SES) specialist unit, reporting to State Headquarters. On 1 May 2018 the 'NSW SES Bush Search and Rescue Unit' was activated.

Capability

The NSW SES Bush Search and Rescue Unit specialises in remote and rugged land Search and Rescue (SAR) with the ability to operate in steep terrain and thick vegetation well away from command posts and base locations. The squad normally works under the coordination of NSW Police and works closely with NSW Police Rescue. Less demanding Land SAR duties in areas such as urban fringes and can also be carried performed.

72 hours unassisted

Unless advised otherwise, NSW SES Bush Search and Rescue Unit Field Members (search team members) must arrive at a search with the ability to deploy away from base in the field and search for 72 hours without resupply. This is a significant capability for the Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator (SMC) to have at hand.

Organic radio communications

The NSW SES Bush Search and Rescue Unit is a long term user of High Frequency (HF) radio which allows communications from effectively any location in the bush. HF radio does not require line of sight between the search team and Command Post and has proven more reliable than satellite phones in the BSAR operating environment. HF radio also provides an instant 'day one' radio network by simply setting up a Command Post radio and issuing HF units to search teams.

SES BSAR also utilise a number of other radio communication devices based upon terrain and situation. These include SES standard issue GRN capable radios (which include UHF, VHF, simplex and analog options) as well as satellite phones and two-way satellite communication devices such as the Garmin InReach. These offer increased situational awareness, safety and secure communications to the Commander.

Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS)

During November 2014, BSAR NSW became one of the first operators in Australia of a RPAS (Drone) at an official land search operation. [9] The RPAS significantly reduced search time of cliff areas and decreased human risk exposure. Since then BSAR NSW has used the industry knowledge of its members to test and develop a safe and efficient RPAS capability. Simple RPAS can be employed by BSAR NSW in exposed cliff areas in many areas of NSW away from aerodromes to increase search efficiency and maximise search resources. However, since leaving the VRA and joining the NSW State Emergency Service, drone use is currently on hold pending SES policy.

Leadership

NSW SES Bush Search and Rescue Unit Commanders and Team Leaders offer solid leadership, command and control skills to the SMC. These members can be used to lead multi-agency teams in remote land SAR operations or to coordinate search operations.

Every year the NSW SES Bush Search and Rescue Unit organises and runs the Australian Emergency Services Wilderness Navigation Shield or NavShield event. [10] Participants test their bush and compass navigation abilities in an overnight event through 100 km2 of wilderness terrain a few hours drive from Sydney, Australia. The location of the event is different each year. [10] This is an important training event for NSW emergency services.

Joining

Field Members

Field members are required to have map and compass back country navigation skills and adequate multi-day off-track bushwalking experience prior to joining BSAR. They must also complete a multi-day induction walk in moderate topography to demonstrate bush skills, bush fitness and teamwork skills. The onus is on the member to bring with him/her solid bush skills so BSAR can focus on search and rescue training.

Related Research Articles

State Emergency Service

The State Emergency Service (SES) is the name used by a number of volunteer organisations in Australia that provide assistance during and after major incidents. Specifically, the service deals with floods, storms and tsunamis, but can also assist in other emergencies, such as vertical and road crash rescues, missing persons searches, and medical evacuations. In other scenarios the SES may provide a support role to other agencies, particularly police and fire. The SES is operational 24 hours a day. The SES is constituted as separate organisations operating in the various Australian states and territories. Eight of the SES organisations co-ordinate through the Australian Council of State and Territory Emergency Services (ACSES).

Volunteer Rescue Association

The Volunteer Rescue Association Inc (VRA) is an Australian organisation of volunteer members, they provide rescue to the communities across New South Wales. The first rescue squads, with the assistance of NSW Police formed the Volunteer Rescue Association, groups with common charters can become an affiliate of the Association.

Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Hospital in New South Wales, Australia

The Royal Prince Alfred Hospital is a major public teaching hospital in Sydney, Australia, located on Missenden Road in Camperdown. It is a teaching hospital of the Central Clinical School of the Sydney Medical School at the University of Sydney and is situated in proximity to the Blackburn Building of the university's main campus. RPAH is the largest hospital in the Sydney Local Health District, with approximately 700 beds. Following a $350 million redevelopment, the perinatal hospital King George V Memorial Hospital has been incorporated into it.

Budawang Range

The Budawang Range, commonly called The Budawangs, a rugged mountain range within the Budawang National Park and the Morton National Park, are part of a spur off the Great Dividing Range and are located in the South Coast region of New South Wales, Australia.

Responsibilities for traditional coast guard duties in Australia are distributed across various federal, state and community agencies. The de facto coast guard of Australia is the Maritime Border Command, a joint command of the Australian Defence Force and the Australian Border Force which works alongside the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. Each state and territory government have specific maritime safety agencies and police marine units. In addition, there are several private volunteer coast guard organisations which act as auxiliary search and rescue services and maritime safety educators with the largest organisations being the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol established in 1937, the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard established in 1961, and Marine Rescue New South Wales established in 2009.

Narrow Neck Plateau plateau in Australia

The Narrow Neck Plateau, an eroded remnant of a sandstone layer situated at an elevation of 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) above sea level that is part of the Blue Mountains Range which is a spur line off the Great Dividing Range, is situated immediately south-west of Katoomba in New South Wales, Australia, located within the Blue Mountains National Park. The neck separates the Jamison Valley from the Megalong Valley.

State Protection Group

The State Protection Group (SPG) is part of the Specialist Operations division of the New South Wales Police Force, having been established in 1991 to deal with extraordinary policing responses. The SPG directly supports police in high-risk incidents such as sieges with specialised tactical, negotiation, intelligence and command-support services. The unit also provides rescue and bomb disposal support, canine policing, and armoury services.

New South Wales Ambulance

New South Wales Ambulance, an agency of NSW Health, is the statutory provider of pre-hospital emergency care and ambulance services in the state of New South Wales, Australia.

Fire and Rescue NSW agency responsible for firefighting, rescue and hazmat services in the major cities, metropolitan areas and towns across rural and regional New South Wales, Australia

Fire and Rescue NSW, an agency of the Government of New South Wales, Australia, is responsible for firefighting, rescue and hazmat services in the major cities, metropolitan areas and towns across New South Wales. Fire and Rescue NSW is the forth largest urban fire service in the world, with over 6,800 firefighters serving at 335 fire stations throughout the state, supported by 465 administrative and trades staff and 5,700 community fire unit volunteers. FRNSW are also the busiest fire service in Australia, attending over 124,000 incidents a year.

Amateur Radio Emergency Communications (AREC), formerly the Amateur Radio Emergency Corps, is a service provided by the New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters (NZART) which provides trained radio communicators and communication systems for emergency situations.

The Specialist Operations was a Command within the New South Wales Police Force that was responsible for a range of specialist groups of the police force. The division was headed by the deputy commissioner of the NSW Police, whose position was occupied by Nick Kaldas prior to his retirement.

New South Wales State Emergency Service

The New South Wales State Emergency Service, an agency of the Government of New South Wales, is an emergency and rescue service dedicated to assisting the community in times of natural and man-made disasters. The NSW SES is made up almost entirely of volunteer members, numbering over 9,000 as of June 2018. Members are easily identified by their distinctive orange overalls.

Bush Search and Rescue Victoria

Bush Search and Rescue Victoria (BSAR) is a volunteer search and rescue group active in the state of Victoria (Australia) and is affiliated with Bushwalking Victoria. Bush Search and Rescue participates in land-based search and rescue activities for persons lost in the bush, in conjunction with and under direction from the Victoria Police Search and Rescue Squad.

The Australian Aerial Patrol is an aerial observation and support service in New South Wales, Australia. It was formed in 1957 following a meeting convened by the City of Greater Wollongong Council, with a charter to maintain the safety and the welfare of the community through aerial observation and support. The Aerial Patrol is available to respond to emergencies 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The Search and Rescue Squad is the Search and Rescue group of the Victoria Police that provides specialist expertise, advice and practical assistance in land search and rescue. This expertise covers most terrains including snow and vertical cliff search and rescue.

1981 Barrington Tops Cessna 210 disappearance

The 1981 Barrington Tops Cessna 210 disappearance relates to the mysterious disappearance of a Cessna 210 flying from Whitsunday Coast Airport to Bankstown Airport via Gold Coast Airport. The last known contact with the aircraft was in the Barrington Tops area. Nothing further was heard and no trace of the aircraft or its occupants has so far been found despite extensive searches.

The Bush Club is an Australian bushwalking club founded in 1939 in Sydney, New South Wales by well-known conservationists and bushwalkers Marie Byles and Paddy Pallin. The Bush Club has hundreds of members located in and around Sydney, and is affiliated with Bushwalking NSW, and through them, with Bushwalking Australia.

Blue Gum Forest Protected area in New South Wales, Australia

The Blue Gum Forest is a protected nature reserve located in the Grose Valley of the Blue Mountains, in Blue Mountains National Park, in New South Wales west of Sydney, southeastern Australia. It is one of the best-known bushwalking sites in Australia. As part of the Greater Blue Mountains, the forest is within the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The forest survived through the efforts of early Australian conservationists.

References

  1. ↑ "Bush Search and Rescue Operator". NSW State Emergency Service. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 "History - Bush Search and Rescue NSW (BSAR)". bsar.org.au. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 Minutes of Meeting, The New South Wales Federation of Bushwalking Clubs, via Andy MacQueen
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Blayden, W (June 1995). "S&R A Short History of Bushwalkers Search and Rescue". The Bushwalker: 5–7, 9.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Hikers Home, "Not really lost", Days of hardship". Unknown Newspaper. 12 October 1936.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Pallin, Paddy (1987). Never Truly Lost: The Recollections of Paddy Pallin. New South Wales University Press. pp. 54–57. ISBN   0 86840 194 3.
  7. ↑ "Volunteer Rescue Squads owe Dedicated Policeman a Debt". Unknown Newspaper. 3 October 1972.
  8. 1 2 Certificate of Incorporation as an Association or change of name, NSW Fair Trading, 14 March 2017
  9. ↑ Media, Australian Community Media - Fairfax (6 November 2014). "Drone a first in Kanangra search". Lithgow Mercury. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  10. 1 2 "Bush Search and Rescue NSW". Bush Search and Rescue NSW. 10 October 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.