South Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club

At the time, together with Channel Partner Johnson Controls, Gallagher donated a Security Made Better (SMB) solution to the club as part of a joint community initiative.

SMB is a cloud-based security platform that allows users to manage alarms, respond to incidents, and control access - all from a smartphone.

SMB is a next-generation security solution designed for small to medium-sized sites. It offers:

- Mobile-first interface for alarm management and access control
- Cloud-hosted architecture for remote accessibility and scalability
- Secure communication protocols for real-time event handling
- Customisable automation workflows for tailored response scenarios.

The donated system replaced a corroded legacy setup with a smartphone-managed, cloud-hosted platform that created remote access control, alarm management, and system updates for the club, all able to be controlled by the lifesavers.

The SMB solution installation was completed in a single day, and the club says it has significantly reduced admin time.

“As a member of the club, I saw an opportunity to use Gallagher’s SMB system to come up with a smart way to activate a shark siren – without needing to run up the beach with a physical key,” says Andrew McCabe, Director Government and Defence, Pacific at Johnson Controls.

The club required a solution that could enable remote, real-time activation of the shark siren from anywhere on the beach.

“An alarm of this type was a first for Gallagher, and within two weeks, we had a working solution,” says Andrew.

The deployment of Gallagher SMB coupled with the shark siren trigger has transformed the club’s emergency response capabilities.

Using SMB, lifesavers were given secure credentials to access the SMB app on their smartphones. A dedicated shark siren button was configured within the app, allowing instant activation of the siren via the cloud.

This setup allows any authorised lifesaver to trigger the shark siren from their mobile device, eliminating the need for physical access to the clubhouse and significantly reducing response time.

Plus, lifesavers could now trigger the shark siren instantly, from anywhere on the beach.

Outcome

The result is a game-changing improvement in beach safety.

Lifesavers on patrol can now raise the shark siren immediately via their smartphones, helping to evacuate swimmers and surfers faster than ever before.

“We’re proud to support the club with technology that makes a real difference,” says Sabrish.

“This is a great example of how security solutions can go beyond traditional use cases and help protect communities in new ways.

“This was a first-of-its-kind use case for Gallagher SMB, and it demonstrates the flexibility of our platform and how cloud-based security can be adapted to meet unique operational challenges.”

The collaboration also highlights the strength of Gallagher’s partnerships.

“Working closely with Johnson Controls and the South Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club has allowed us to develop a tailored solution that solves a real-world problem,” adds Sabrish.

For South Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club, the new shark siren system is more than just a tech upgrade - it’s a vital tool that enhances their ability to protect lives.

“Since 1959, we’ve prided ourselves on looking out for people at our iconic beach,” says Simon.

“Now, with Gallagher’s support, we’re better equipped than ever to do just that.”