Assessor Resource

PUAAMS007B
Coordinate search and rescue operations

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


The application of this unit in the workplace - the environments, complexities and situations involved - will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

This text will be useful for the purposes of job descriptions, recruitment advice or job analysis; where possible, it will not be too job specific to allow other industries to import it into other Training Packages, where feasible.

This unit covers the competency to coordinate a Search and Rescue incident.

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

Prerequisites

Prerequisite Unit/s

Nil

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



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.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Knowledge of defining the search area

preparing search and rescue plans and making recommendations to the Senior Search and Rescue Officer that are based on research

Consistency in performance

Evidence should be gathered over a period of time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competence must be demonstrable for the relevant work situation by day or night. The assessment for this unit is most effectively undertaken on the job but may be undertaken in a simulation eg Search and Rescue Exercise - (SAREX)

Specific resources for assessment

On job assessment will not entail additional resources however, rosters may need to be amended in order for simulation eg Search and Rescue exercise (SAREX) to be effected

Guidance information for assessment

Information that will assist or guide assessment will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

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.

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills

The ability to:

a knowledge of coaching and team building concepts

collect and analyse information

develop a compromised search area to suit available assets

effectively communicate and consult with a range of individuals by a range of means including fax

identify potential search patterns and their use pertaining to terrain

plan for results

telephone and face-to-face

use initiative to achieve goals

Required Knowledge

Evidence of:

a knowledge of potential rescue platforms' capabilities and limitations

an understanding of coronial requirements in relation to SAR

an understanding of hypothermia/hyperthermia factors

an understanding of Risk Management principles

an understanding of the Personal Development Plan

The Range Statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Databases may include

contact names

telephone numbers

addresses (where appropriate)

aircraft/vessel details

aircraft/vessel requirements

Databases are maintained by updating details on a regular basis as determined by local policies and procedures

Assets may include

aircraft

including helicopters

Australian Defence Force aircraft

vessels and personnel

police equipment and personnel

civilian vessels

volunteer groups

clubs and associations

Strategic objectives may include

the systematic planning for the provision of Search and Rescue services and includes identification of emerging issues

Tactical objectives may include

the management of specific operations and includes resourcing

coordinating

reporting

etc

Policies and procedures protocols may include

National Search and Rescue manual

international search and rescue manuals and reference texts

legislation relevant to the operation/incident/response

legislation relevant to the organisation

operational

corporate and strategic plans

operational Standing Operating Procedures

operational performance standards

organisational personnel practices and guidelines

organisational quality standards

Last known/most probable position may include

gathering intelligence to establish:

route taken

last verbal/radio or other contact

known patterns based on historical/routine data

navigation plan

Physiological constraints may include

hypothermia

hyperthermia

physical condition

age

sex

mental condition

health

Environmental factors may include

terrain

weather conditions

Technical manuals documentation or relevant publication may include

Search and Rescue manuals

medical charts

flight plans

sail plans

Information management strategies may include

communication flow

use of technology

compatibility

audit trails

standardised information reporting procedures and formats

Calculations may include

using manual or computer systems

utilising compasses

protractors

time/distance/speed calculators

rulers and formulae

Calculations include sweep width and track spacing calculations for persons

vessels and aircraft

calculations in area - time - velocity - spacing

probability of detection factors

time/distance/speed calculations

time frame for survival and mobility calculations

Calculating a search area may include

the intended track/splash point/last known position and time

vectorial factors

wind

current

drift

leeway and other weather factors

positional error and safety factors

Determining a search pattern and track spacing may include

taking into account environmental factors including: weather conditions

currents

terrain

target type including:

person

type of vessel/life raft; and physiological factors including body mass

clothing

medical conditions and state of mind

Determining the nature of the problem may include

consideration of such factors as:

size of area

time of day

number of lives at risk

location/accessibility

condition of survivors

capacity of available resources and speed of rescue platform(s)

Surviving delivery points may include

consideration of safe areas to alight survivor

hospital facilities

medical facilities

Time factors may include

time frame for survival

speed of rescue platform

time of mobilisation

transit times

rescue platform endurance

Continual evidence may include

reviewing available data

monitoring changing weather conditions

monitoring assets capabilities

reassessing requirements

assessing available daylight for search

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
Search and rescue assets and potential assets are identified and recorded in databases 
Strategic and tactical objectives are identified in accordance with unit plans 
Strategies to achieve objectives are identified in accordance with organisational policies and procedures 
Risk management strategies are identified and incorporated/conducted in accordance with policy guidelines 
Information management strategies are identified and applied in accordance with organisational policies and procedures 
Search and Rescue procedures and policies are communicated to interested and affected persons, groups and organisations in accordance with the needs of those people 
A last known/most probable position is established from available data 
Initial search procedures are implemented in accordance with the National Search and Rescue manual 
Calculations are made to establish intended track/area/position in accordance with planned route 
Time frame for survival of the missing person(s) is calculated in accordance with policies and procedures protocols 
Physiological and environmental factors are determined as a basis for decision making 
A search area is calculated consistent with organisational policies and procedures 
Search pattern and track spacing is determined consistent with organisational policies and procedures 
A probability of detection factor is calculated consistent with organisational policies and procedures 
Acceptability of probability of detection factor is evaluated consistent with organisational policies and procedures 
Search area is recalculated or redefined, determined by availability of assets, changing weather conditions and search time available 
The nature of problem/distress is determined in accordance with the available information 
Rescue resources are identified, mobilised and monitored consistent with organisational policies and procedures 
Operational risks are assessed and minimised in accordance with policies, procedures and best practices 
Survivor delivery points are identified in accordance with requirements and capability of the rescue platform 
Physiological, geographic and medical factors are considered for rescue and delivery as per the situational requirements 
Time factors are considered as per the situational requirements 
The chosen solution is evaluated and reported against the determined criteria in accordance with organisational policies and procedures 
The search and rescue plan is implemented and amended as dictated by the requirements of the situation 
A process of continual evaluation is applied in accordance with policies and procedures protocol 
Contingency planning is conducted in accordance with organisational policies and procedures 
Regular briefings and debriefings are conducted in accordance with organisational policies and procedures 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

PUAAMS007B - Coordinate 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

PUAAMS007B - Coordinate 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: