South Maroubra beach trials smartphone siren for faster alerts

Gallagher Security Australia has partnered with South Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club to implement a new security alert system intended to improve safety for beachgoers.

The adoption of Gallagher's Security Made Better (SMB) system is designed to enable quicker response times in the event of shark sightings or hazardous surf conditions, issues that are common concerns on Australian beaches.

Response time challenges

For many years, South Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club has depended on a manual process to activate their shoreline warning sirens. The club's clubhouse is located away from the beach, which has meant lifesavers needing to leave the shoreline to reach the siren control when a hazard is detected.

Simon Torsellini, Director of Lifesaving at South Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club, explained the issue: "Since the club was established in 1959, we've prided ourselves on looking out for people at our iconic beach. More recently, we've turned to security technology to support our lifesavers to do what they do best: stay alert for hazards.

"Sharks along with surf conditions represent two of our biggest national hazards on popular beaches, so it's of critical importance to get people out of the water as quickly as possible when a circumstance evolves.

"To achieve a prompt evacuation of beach users from the water, an alert system such as an audible siren is the most effective tool. To sound a siren at South Maroubra, the club relies upon a manual switch that triggers an audible alarm across the beach, better known locally as the Shark Siren.

"Like many other surf lifesaving clubs, we have our club house situated back from the shoreline. What this means is that in the event of a hazard detection, a lifesaver is dispatched from the beach to the club house to activate the audible siren - losing precious moments to alert those at risk."

The urgency of response was highlighted during a recent mass rescue, where all available lifesaving resources were in the water, leaving no one to manually activate the siren. This incident prompted the club to search for a new solution.

Collaboration leads to new alert system

Andrew McCabe, a surf lifesaver at the club and Director Government and Defence, Pacific at Johnson Controls, collaborated with Gallagher Security to explore technological options for remotely triggering the warning siren.

The resulting system integrates SMB, Gallagher Security's cloud-based security application, which is managed from a smartphone. The business-oriented application allows users to manage alarms, respond to incidents, and control access to secured areas.

Sabrish Venugopal, Sales Solutions Engineer - NSW at Gallagher Security, elaborated on the process. "Alongside our Channel Partner, Johnson Controls, we were proud to gift the club one of our Security Made Better (SMB) solutions as a joint community initiative," said Sabrish.

The SMB app, originally intended for security and access management in business environments, was adapted for use by surf lifesaving staff, allowing for quick mobile activation of the warning siren.

"As a member of the club, Andrew floated the idea of using the SMB system to trigger the shark siren, in a first for Gallagher Security," says Sabrish. "We joined forces and two weeks later, we had a game-changing solution for South Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club. "Now, lifesavers on surf patrol duty can launch the shark siren immediately via their smartphones if required, to help evacuate beach users from the surf faster."

Sabrish also noted the importance of their collaboration model: "We take great pride in playing our part to support the club keep Aussies safe at the beach. We're chuffed to have helped the club continue their dedicated service to keeping South Maroubra Beach safe by using Gallagher's SMB, and to see how security solutions can make such a positive difference to our daily lives," said Sabrish.

Enhanced safety for South Maroubra

The introduction of mobile-activated sirens at South Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club is expected to improve the speed and efficiency of hazard warnings. In the case of shark sightings or severe surf conditions, lifesavers can activate alarm systems without leaving their positions on the beach - potentially reducing response delays.

The club will continue assessing the mobile-based alert system's impact on day-to-day operations and its role in expediting beach evacuations when risks are present.