Gallagher SMB Solution With Bite Goes On Shark Patrol At South Maroubra Beach.
Gallagher SMB Solution With Bite – South Maroubra Surf Lifesaving Club, Johnson Controls and Gallagher Security have partnered to integrate the Gallagher SMB app with the club’s shark alert siren.
According to Simon Torsellini, director of lifesaving, South Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club, since its establishment in 1959, club members have prided themselves on looking out for people at iconic Maroubra beach.
“More recently, we’ve turned to security technology to support our lifesavers to do what they do best: stay alert for hazards,” Torsellini said.
“Sharks along with surf conditions represent 2 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 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.”
As a result of a recent mass rescue where surf conditions threatened swimmers and all lifesaving resources were in the water, no lifesavers were available to activate the siren, and the team recognised a solution was needed.
Andrew McCabe, a surf lifesaver at the club and director government and defence, Pacific at Johnson Controls, spoke to Gallagher Security about a smarter way to raise the all-important shark siren.
After initially working with the club in 2023, Gallagher Security’s Gallagher Security’s sales solutions engineer – NSW, Sabrish Venugopal, was eager to partner again to find a way to further support the hardworking lifesavers and volunteers at South Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club.
“Alongside our channel partner, Johnson Controls, we had already gifted the club one of our Security Made Better (SMB) solutions as a joint community initiative,” said Venugopal.
SMB is a cloud-based security app that streamlines everyday business tasks with plenty of functionality: from managing alarms, responding to security incidents and controlling site access.
The SMB app provided the club with security and access control through a next generation cloud-based system that can be easily managed from a smartphone.
“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,” Venugopal said.
“We joined forces and 2 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.”
According to Venugopal, the Gallagher Security team delights in engaging with end users to discuss any challenges they may be facing, with the aim of developing tailored solutions. The team also values close collaboration with channel partners like Johnson Controls, who have a deep understanding of Gallagher Security products and play a key role in enhancing security efficiency.
“We take great pride in playing our part to support the club keep Aussies safe at the beach,” Venugopal said.
“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.”
You can learn more about Gallagher Security here, discover Johnson Controls here or read more SEN news here.
“Gallagher Solution With Bite Goes On Shark Patrol At South Maroubra Beach.”
