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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Respond to large animal incident
   • Gather adequate information to assess the nature of the incident, exact location and the resources required to respond to the incident
   • Assess feasibility and likelihood of success of available options for managing animal/s at the incident scene
   • Devise an incident action plan
   • Organise external support, including a veterinarian and/or emergency or medical services, according to the nature of the incident and additional support required
   • Select and prepare personal protective equipment (PPE), rescue tool kit and equipment required for the incident
2. Establish and maintain incident scene safety
   • Assess human, animal and environmental hazards and risks at scene using a systematic approach
   • Liaise with animal owner and/or veterinarian at incident scene
   • Prioritise required actions promptly according to organisational large animal response plan
   • Establish zones to manage access to the incident scene and members of the public and/or animal owners
3. Manage response
   • Appoint roles and duties and brief team members according to the organisation's large animal incident plan
   • Ensure all team members have required equipment and appropriate PPE
   • Organise additional personnel and/or specialist equipment based on incident scene requirements
4. Manage and stabilise animal/s
   • Implement hygiene and biosecurity precautions according to organisational requirements
   • Conduct initial assessment of the animal, in conjunction with veterinarian if in attendance, to determine injury type, severity and potential complications related to the extrication of the animal
   • Discuss with veterinarian sedation or anaesthesia requirements to implement the incident action plan
   • Assist veterinarian to restrain, stabilise and/or treat animal/s according to animal needs
   • Protect animal/s from injury during rescue according to extrication technique employed and species-specific needs
5. Carry out incident operations
   • Implement plan to extricate animal/s in consultation with team, veterinarian and/or other technical specialists
   • Provide clear instructions to team members about the plan, including techniques, equipment, safety, and access and escape routes
   • Extricate animals using recognised techniques and equipment appropriate for the animal species and incident
   • Release animal/s in planned area and monitor recovery and welfare
   • Reunite animal/s to owner or appropriate personnel, or organise arrangements for deceased animals according to organisational procedures
6. Conclude incident operations
   • Recover, clean and store equipment according to organisational requirements
   • Contribute to media communications and public relations according to organisational procedures and nature of incident
   • Conduct incident debrief according to organisational procedures
   • Complete records and reports to organisational standards