Assessor Resource

PUASES012A
Work as a team member in an emergency operations centre

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


The application of this unit would inform roles and responsibilities of individuals who act as a member of a team within an emergency operations centre at the commencement, during and completion of an incident operational period.

The requirements for operation of the emergency operations centre will be determined by the nature and context of the incident and/or operations, legislative requirements, emergency management plans and organisational policies.

Persons should have met organisational requirements for language, literacy and numeracy and computer literacy, prior to commencing this unit.

Applicable roles and jobs may involve members of emergency services organisations, Police officers, ambulance and paramedic services, fire service personnel and volunteers.

This unit covers the competency required to support an emergency operation as a member of a team by providing information collection, collation, dissemination and presentation in an emergency operations centre.

This unit replaces PUASES002B Work in an emergency operations centre.

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

Prerequisites

Not applicable.

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.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

legibly record and prioritise requests for assistance

work in an operations centre during the day and at night

present information for decision-makers.

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments including participation in two daytime and two night time activities and/or exercises which reflect operational contexts.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed in the context of a real operation or a simulation.

Specific resources for assessment

Access is required to:

operations centre team

appropriately equipped operations centre.

Method of assessment

In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook.

Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment.

Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an industry-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include:

direct observation

interviewing the candidate

journals and workplace documentation

third party reports from supervisors

written or oral questions.

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

be understood when speaking English to clients

complete mathematical calculations and equations correctly

enter data into computer accurately

plot information

read and interpret maps

undertake phone/radio communications clearly and concisely

use communication systems and equipment effectively

use computerised information storage and/or retrieval systems

write legibly

Required Knowledge

local and state/territory emergency management organisations

local and state/territory emergency management plans

local emergency operations centre activation procedures

local information management systems

nature of local hazards and methods of combating these

organisational emergency operations centres communications systems

organisational policies and procedures (such as relevant legislation; operational, corporate and strategic plans; operational performance standards; operational policies and procedures; organisational personnel and occupational health and safety practices and guidelines; organisational quality standards; organisation's approach to environmental management and sustainability)

relevant legislation and regulations

requests for assistance online

requirements for drafting situation reports (SITREPs), operation orders

SOPs

use of relevant computer and information communication technology systems used in organisational emergency operations centres

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.

Emergency operations:

are usually the result of an event or incident (such as flood, storm, or bushfire) that generates a significant response requirement over a large area for protracted periods

differ from incidents where relatively small responses are required in tightly defined areas for relatively short periods (such as road accidents or domestic structure fires)

Emergency operations centres may be:

established and purpose-designed to deal with the typical response roles of the unit

field operations centres established to manage particular emergencies and dismantled after the emergency

primarily activated to respond to emergencies and are not normally operational

Plans and directories may include:

local government plans

national emergency management plans and arrangements

resource and contact directories

response plans for specific hazards

state/territory disaster plans

unit standing operating procedures

Other organisations may include:

ambulance

defence organisations

emergency service organisations

fire services - metropolitan and/or rural

local authorities

police

state and territory emergency services

suppliers

utility organisations

welfare organisations

Operational information may include:

access and egress routes

location, magnitude and type of event

estimated duration of emergency

location of incidents

nature and extent of damage

number and nature of casualties

other organisations working

potential hazards

resources available

weather forecast

Seeking information may include

electronic documentation

information management systems

IT systems

members of the organisation in the field

members of the public

other emergency services organisations

reconnaissance teams

SITREPs

web based information

Organisational documentation may include:

request for assistance forms

logs

summaries

running sheets

SITREPs

task allocation sheets

requests for assistance

records of conversation - manual and/or electronic

paper based or computerised

other documentation as described in organisational SOPs, T5 or safety management sheets

Plotting operational information may include:

computer based geographic information systems

frequently used contact numbers

magnetic displays

marking topographical or other cartographic representations

resources available

sketch maps

statistical summaries

warnings

whiteboard information summaries

Disseminating information may include:

media releases

orders for suppliers

preparing briefing notes

reminders

requests for assistance

summary information for higher authorities

task information to elements of own or other organisations

Communications systems may include:

computer aided dispatch (CAD)

fax, telephone and radio systems

internet or intranet communications

MMS

other equipment or method (such as couriers) as specified or relevant

pagers

SMS

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
Initial task information is obtained on likely nature of incident response 
Operations centre is opened in accordance with unit or organisational standing operating procedures (SOPs) 
Communications, information management and computerised systems are activated in accordance with unit or organisational SOPs 
Appropriate plans and directories are accessed in accordance with the decision on the nature of response 
Operations centre staff are activated in accordance with unit SOPs 
Other organisations are informed that the operations centre has been activated in accordance with unit or organisational SOPs 
Operational information is actively sought 
Operational information is recorded legibly and/or electronically using organisational documentation 
Operational priorities are applied according to organisational SOPs 
Information is evaluated for currency and correctness, and advice is provided to team leader and/or operational manager 
Incident files are maintained in accordance with organisational policies and procedures 
Information displays are plotted and/or updated as required by organisational SOPs 
Briefing areas are prepared 
Information for situational reports, operational orders and media releases is assembled for operational manager 
Relevant information is disseminated under direction of team leader or operational manager in accordance with organisational policies and procedures 
Information is distributed within the operations centre in accordance with organisational policies and procedures 
Clear and relevant information is included in incoming shift hand over 
Records and information are filed in accordance with SOPs 
Communications systems are reset to stand-by modes according to organisational policies and procedures 
Operations centre is returned to operational readiness as needed to allow rapid reactivation when required 
Information is provided to team leader or operational manager to assist with post operation reports as requested 
Signs and symptoms of operational stress in self and others are recognised and promptly reported 
Debriefing requirements are met 
Other organisations are informed that the operations centre has been closed in accordance with organisational policies and procedures 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

PUASES012A - Work as a team member in an emergency operations centre
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

PUASES012A - Work as a team member in an emergency operations centre

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: