Assessor Resource

PMAOMIR317
Facilitate search and rescue operations

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to establish and implement a support plan to facilitate search and rescue operations.

This unit of competency applies to experienced operators in roles such as senior technician, team leader or manager who are required to establish local support for interaction between an isolated facility and appropriate agencies, initiate a muster, provide advice to assist the search and rescue, liaise with all relevant internal and external personnel, provide details of local weather, contact the search controller and activate incident response system.

This unit of competency applies to an individual working alone or as part of a team or group and working in liaison with other shift and emergency response team members, and the incident commander and control room operator, as appropriate.

This unit of competency applies to search and rescue operations arising from any incident and/or context, for example:

lost plane/helicopter transporting crew

lost supply vessel

lost truck/vehicle

individual or groups requiring rescue

hazardous or non-hazardous goods

land and sea rescue.

This unit of competency applies to site/facility personnel who will need to provide organisation input to the specialist search and rescue organisations. It does not cover the development of search and rescue plans, or the conduct/coordination of a search and rescue.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Establish a search and rescue support plan related to the facility

1.1

Identify possible search and rescue scenarios in liaison with relevant personnel

1.2

Identify relevant local (or other) agencies

1.3

Identify key contacts with relevant agencies

1.4

Liaise with relevant agencies to develop/review site/agency interaction plans for a search and rescue

1.5

Assess plans for operability and practicality

1.6

Assess proposed plans with relevant agencies for compatibility with each other and own systems

1.7

Negotiate and resolve conflicts

1.8

Ensure site emergency plans are consistent with agreed agency interaction plans

2

Activate search and rescue support plan

2.1

Recognise that a search and rescue is required

2.2

Obtain information required by the procedures and determine relevant agency/agencies to contact

2.3

Contact relevant agency/agencies and activate search and rescue

2.4

Provide all relevant and available information to the agency

2.5

Activate site incident response system relevant to the incident

3

Liaise with search and rescue agency/agencies

3.1

Monitor local situation and advise agency/agencies of any relevant changes

3.2

Monitor search and rescue progress and provide relevant information to site incident response team

3.3

Advise relevant personnel in own organisation of progress

3.4

Negotiate issues with agency/agencies and own organisation

3.5

Determine the need for additional/different resources and negotiate their timely acquisition

3.6

Identify problems/potential problems with the search and rescue and develop solutions in liaison with the agency/agencies and own organisation

4

Conclude search and rescue support

4.1

Negotiate a conclusion to the search and rescue with the agency/agencies and own organisation

4.2

Collect and preserve all relevant information

4.3

Debrief with relevant people involved

4.4

Complete reports as required

4.5

Identify items for improvement and take action to have improvements implemented/built into support plans

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include the ability to:

interpret the search and rescue plans for different agencies and determine interfaces with own organisation/site/facility

keep required records before, during and after a search and rescue incident

effectively communicate, negotiate and consult with internal and external parties.

Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:

organisational procedures, including those covering:

safety, hazards and hazard control

incident, fire and accident

communication systems

emergency response plans

external support agencies and their roles

types and limitations of rescue vessels, aircraft or motor vehicles

accessing and interpreting weather conditions

response times

available local resources.

Competency must be achieved before performing this work unsupervised. Therefore this unit will typically be assessed off the job. Where assessment is undertaken on the job appropriate supervision and safety precautions must be provided.

The unit should be assessed holistically and the judgement of competence based on a holistic assessment of the evidence.

The collection of performance evidence:

should provide evidence of the ability to perform over the range of situations which might be expected to be encountered including typical disruptions to normal, smooth work conditions

must include a simulated search and rescue

must include the use of appropriate tools, equipment and safety gear requiring demonstration of preparation, operation, completion and responding to problems.

Off-the-job assessment must sufficiently reflect realistic operational workplace conditions that cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Assessment in a simulated environment should use evidence collected from one or more of:

walk-throughs

demonstration of skills

industry-based case studies/scenarios

‘what ifs’.

Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence (provided a record is kept) or through an independent process, such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews (provided a record is kept).

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications associated with this unit.

Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.

Assessors must satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment as set by the VET regulator.

In addition, the assessor or anyone acting in subject matter expert role in assessment must demonstrate both technical competency and currency. If the assessor cannot demonstrate technical competency and currency they must assess with a subject matter expert who does meet these requirements.

Technical competence can be demonstrated through one or more of:

relevant VET or other qualification/Statement of Attainment

appropriate workplace experience undertaking the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions

appropriate workplace experience supervising/evaluating the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions

Currency can be demonstrated through one or more of:

being currently employed undertaking the type of work being assessed

being employed by the organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed and having maintained currency in accordance with that organisation’s policies and procedures

having consulted/had contact with an organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed within the last twelve months, the consultation/contact being related to assessment

conducting on-the-job training/assessments of the type of work being assessed

being an active member of a relevant professional body and participating in activities relevant to the assessment of this type of work

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Establish a search and rescue support plan related to the facility

1.1

Identify possible search and rescue scenarios in liaison with relevant personnel

1.2

Identify relevant local (or other) agencies

1.3

Identify key contacts with relevant agencies

1.4

Liaise with relevant agencies to develop/review site/agency interaction plans for a search and rescue

1.5

Assess plans for operability and practicality

1.6

Assess proposed plans with relevant agencies for compatibility with each other and own systems

1.7

Negotiate and resolve conflicts

1.8

Ensure site emergency plans are consistent with agreed agency interaction plans

2

Activate search and rescue support plan

2.1

Recognise that a search and rescue is required

2.2

Obtain information required by the procedures and determine relevant agency/agencies to contact

2.3

Contact relevant agency/agencies and activate search and rescue

2.4

Provide all relevant and available information to the agency

2.5

Activate site incident response system relevant to the incident

3

Liaise with search and rescue agency/agencies

3.1

Monitor local situation and advise agency/agencies of any relevant changes

3.2

Monitor search and rescue progress and provide relevant information to site incident response team

3.3

Advise relevant personnel in own organisation of progress

3.4

Negotiate issues with agency/agencies and own organisation

3.5

Determine the need for additional/different resources and negotiate their timely acquisition

3.6

Identify problems/potential problems with the search and rescue and develop solutions in liaison with the agency/agencies and own organisation

4

Conclude search and rescue support

4.1

Negotiate a conclusion to the search and rescue with the agency/agencies and own organisation

4.2

Collect and preserve all relevant information

4.3

Debrief with relevant people involved

4.4

Complete reports as required

4.5

Identify items for improvement and take action to have improvements implemented/built into support plans

This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included.

Regulatory framework

The latest version of all legislation, regulations, industry codes of practice and Australian/international standards, or the version specified by the local regulatory authority, must be used, and include one or more of the following:

legislative requirements, including work health and safety (WHS)

industry codes of practice and guidelines

environmental regulations and guidelines

Australian and other standards

licence and certification requirements

All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environment (HSE) requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence.

Procedures

All operations must be performed in accordance with relevant procedures.

Procedures are written, verbal, visual, computer-based or in some other form, and include one or more of the following:

emergency procedures

work instructions

standard operating procedures (SOPs)

safe work method statements (SWMS)

formulas/recipes

batch sheets

temporary instructions

any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant

Hazards

Hazards include one or more of the following:

heat, smoke, darkness, dust or other atmospheric hazards

electricity

gas

gases and liquids under pressure

structural hazards

structural collapse

equipment failures

industrial (machinery, equipment and product)

equipment or product mass

noise, rotational equipment or vibration

plant services (steam, condensate and cooling water)

limited head spaces or overhangs

working at heights, in restricted or confined spaces, or in environments subjected to heat, noise, dusts or vapours

flammability and explosivity

hazardous products and materials

unauthorised personnel

sharp edges, protrusions or obstructions

slippery surfaces, spills or leaks

extreme weather

other hazards that might arise

Relevant agencies

Relevant agencies include one or more of the following:

national maritime search and rescue

state emergency services (SES)

police

Information required by agencies includes, as available:

last known position

expected route and arrival and departure times

local weather conditions

relevant conditions at site, such as landing facilities

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include the ability to:

interpret the search and rescue plans for different agencies and determine interfaces with own organisation/site/facility

keep required records before, during and after a search and rescue incident

effectively communicate, negotiate and consult with internal and external parties.

Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:

organisational procedures, including those covering:

safety, hazards and hazard control

incident, fire and accident

communication systems

emergency response plans

external support agencies and their roles

types and limitations of rescue vessels, aircraft or motor vehicles

accessing and interpreting weather conditions

response times

available local resources.

Competency must be achieved before performing this work unsupervised. Therefore this unit will typically be assessed off the job. Where assessment is undertaken on the job appropriate supervision and safety precautions must be provided.

The unit should be assessed holistically and the judgement of competence based on a holistic assessment of the evidence.

The collection of performance evidence:

should provide evidence of the ability to perform over the range of situations which might be expected to be encountered including typical disruptions to normal, smooth work conditions

must include a simulated search and rescue

must include the use of appropriate tools, equipment and safety gear requiring demonstration of preparation, operation, completion and responding to problems.

Off-the-job assessment must sufficiently reflect realistic operational workplace conditions that cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Assessment in a simulated environment should use evidence collected from one or more of:

walk-throughs

demonstration of skills

industry-based case studies/scenarios

‘what ifs’.

Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence (provided a record is kept) or through an independent process, such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews (provided a record is kept).

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications associated with this unit.

Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.

Assessors must satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment as set by the VET regulator.

In addition, the assessor or anyone acting in subject matter expert role in assessment must demonstrate both technical competency and currency. If the assessor cannot demonstrate technical competency and currency they must assess with a subject matter expert who does meet these requirements.

Technical competence can be demonstrated through one or more of:

relevant VET or other qualification/Statement of Attainment

appropriate workplace experience undertaking the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions

appropriate workplace experience supervising/evaluating the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions

Currency can be demonstrated through one or more of:

being currently employed undertaking the type of work being assessed

being employed by the organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed and having maintained currency in accordance with that organisation’s policies and procedures

having consulted/had contact with an organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed within the last twelve months, the consultation/contact being related to assessment

conducting on-the-job training/assessments of the type of work being assessed

being an active member of a relevant professional body and participating in activities relevant to the assessment of this type of work
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Identify possible search and rescue scenarios in liaison with relevant personnel 
Identify relevant local (or other) agencies 
Identify key contacts with relevant agencies 
Liaise with relevant agencies to develop/review site/agency interaction plans for a search and rescue 
Assess plans for operability and practicality 
Assess proposed plans with relevant agencies for compatibility with each other and own systems 
Negotiate and resolve conflicts 
Ensure site emergency plans are consistent with agreed agency interaction plans 
Recognise that a search and rescue is required 
Obtain information required by the procedures and determine relevant agency/agencies to contact 
Contact relevant agency/agencies and activate search and rescue 
Provide all relevant and available information to the agency 
Activate site incident response system relevant to the incident 
Monitor local situation and advise agency/agencies of any relevant changes 
Monitor search and rescue progress and provide relevant information to site incident response team 
Advise relevant personnel in own organisation of progress 
Negotiate issues with agency/agencies and own organisation 
Determine the need for additional/different resources and negotiate their timely acquisition 
Identify problems/potential problems with the search and rescue and develop solutions in liaison with the agency/agencies and own organisation 
Negotiate a conclusion to the search and rescue with the agency/agencies and own organisation 
Collect and preserve all relevant information 
Debrief with relevant people involved 
Complete reports as required 
Identify items for improvement and take action to have improvements implemented/built into support plans 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

PMAOMIR317 - Facilitate search and rescue operations
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

PMAOMIR317 - Facilitate search and rescue operations

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: