❓ Hon Giz Watson inquires about training provided by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) to residents assisting in whale beaching rescue operations. The DEC confirms training is provided on-the-spot during stranding events, supplemented by a trained volunteer group, Westwhales.
AnsweredQoN 691Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to incidents of whale beaching in Western Australia, and the ensuing usual involvement of local people in attempted rescue operations, and ask -
(1) Does the Department of Environment and Conservation deliver training or other information to interested residents of affected communities on how best to safely assist?
(2) If yes to (1), please describe the nature of the training or information provided, including its frequency and at which communities?
(3) If no to (1), is it intended to deliver such training or information in the future?
(4) If yes to (3), please describe the nature of the training or information intended to be provided, including its frequency and at which communities?
(1) Does the Department of Environment and Conservation deliver training or other information to interested residents of affected communities on how best to safely assist?
(2) If yes to (1), please describe the nature of the training or information provided, including its frequency and at which communities?
(3) If no to (1), is it intended to deliver such training or information in the future?
(4) If yes to (3), please describe the nature of the training or information intended to be provided, including its frequency and at which communities?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
2 June 2009
Responded by
Minister for Environment
Response time
28 days
(1) Yes.
(2)-(4) Staff and volunteer safety during whale and dolphin rescues is of the utmost importance. Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) officers provide training and information updates to participants at stranding events as they occur. Volunteers may include local residents, holidaymakers or people who travel from areas well outside the affected community to assist. Participants may also include previously trained and experienced volunteers, such as "Westwhales".
It is not feasible to provide regular training in whale rescues at various centres around the State. Generally, on-the-spot training and briefings are considered adequate to manage the large number of people who volunteer at short notice. Key DEC staff have been trained and are able to lead volunteer teams.
If volunteers are requested to attend a stranding event, they are asked to bring personal safety items such as a full wet suit, warm clothes and towel, and instructed to report to the control point to register. Information is delivered at the control point and they are placed in a managed group with a DEC coordinator who briefs them on the current situation and plan. They are briefed on the species; its physiology and behaviour; risks and safety aspects; and how to go about activities prior to their involvement in specific parts of the operation. They are provided with updates during the course of the operation.
Furthermore, 'Westwhales' is a volunteer cetacean rescue group comprising members from the south-west. Westwhale members were trained as a first response team when they formed after the Augustastranding of False Killer Whales in 1986. They have participated in further training sessions and have been used in key roles at subsequent strandings, including recently at Hamelin Bay. Local volunteers were also trained during dolphin rescue operations in LakeGoegrupin 1991. Contact has been maintained with key members of this group and they have participated in subsequent dolphin rescues and information sessions provided by DEC officers.
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(2)-(4) Staff and volunteer safety during whale and dolphin rescues is of the utmost importance. Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) officers provide training and information updates to participants at stranding events as they occur. Volunteers may include local residents, holidaymakers or people who travel from areas well outside the affected community to assist. Participants may also include previously trained and experienced volunteers, such as "Westwhales".
It is not feasible to provide regular training in whale rescues at various centres around the State. Generally, on-the-spot training and briefings are considered adequate to manage the large number of people who volunteer at short notice. Key DEC staff have been trained and are able to lead volunteer teams.
If volunteers are requested to attend a stranding event, they are asked to bring personal safety items such as a full wet suit, warm clothes and towel, and instructed to report to the control point to register. Information is delivered at the control point and they are placed in a managed group with a DEC coordinator who briefs them on the current situation and plan. They are briefed on the species; its physiology and behaviour; risks and safety aspects; and how to go about activities prior to their involvement in specific parts of the operation. They are provided with updates during the course of the operation.
Furthermore, 'Westwhales' is a volunteer cetacean rescue group comprising members from the south-west. Westwhale members were trained as a first response team when they formed after the Augustastranding of False Killer Whales in 1986. They have participated in further training sessions and have been used in key roles at subsequent strandings, including recently at Hamelin Bay. Local volunteers were also trained during dolphin rescue operations in LakeGoegrupin 1991. Contact has been maintained with key members of this group and they have participated in subsequent dolphin rescues and information sessions provided by DEC officers.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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