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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Determine media involvement
  2. Provide information to the media
  3. Liaise with media

Required Skills

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

Required Skills

attend to detail

communicate facts in a fluent clear and interesting manner

liaise with media and other organisational personnel

make media presentations

prioritise between operational responsibilities and provision of information to media

retain professionalism under duress

show empathy with victims and operational personnel

undertake public speaking as required

Required Knowledge

communication techniques

establishing media relationships

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 organisations approach to environmental management and sustainability

organisational protocols relating to media liaison such as legal and organisational requirement relating to confidentiality disclosure libel accuracy discrimination

requirements of media to present information in a newsworthyinformative manner

role of media in disseminating information

Evidence Required

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

identify select and use various media strategies suited to specific instances

communicate authorised information to the media accurately and in accordance with relevant jurisdictional policies and procedures

liaise with the media portraying a positive image of the organisation within established organisational protocols

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the outcome and apply the competence in different situations or environments

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed in the workplace or an environment that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered in the workplace including coping with difficulties irregularities and breakdowns in routine

Specific resources for assessment

There are no specific resource requirements for this unit

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 andor 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 industryapproved 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


Range Statement

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.

Media includes:

Community and ethnic television

Internal media teams/units

Mainstream media

Print and broadcast media

Relevant documents may include:

Email or other correspondence to internal media teams/units

Investigation plan

Media release forms

Type of information may include:

Content of information to be released (who, what, when, where)

Format of information to be released (text, video footage, photos and other relevant forms)

Legal, operational and organisational responsibilities may include:

Ensuring the accuracy of the content

Presenting information relevant to the public

Preserving life and property, which is the principal concern to all public

Safety personnel

Understanding the legal implications of releasing information

Relevant and succinct information may include:

Information that according to protocol is available for public release

Information that matches the purpose of media involvement

Not supplying classified information

Providing information that is fascinating or appealing to the public

Reporting facts and avoiding speculation

Using language that can be readily understood by all to avoid misinterpretation

Positive image of the organisation may include:

Cooperative and responsive organisational personnel

Handling media in most positive manner in even the most adverse conditions/circumstances

Heroic actions of personnel

Promoting the relevance and efficiency of the service

Reporting facts

Well presented organisational personnel

Organisational protocols may include:

Acknowledging support of other organisations

Ensuring media liaison person is fully briefed and prepared

Ensuring personal presentation is as presentable as possible considering

Limiting comments on role of own service

Operational circumstances

Organisational policies and procedures

Referring to relevant federal and state/territory legislation and regulations

Seeking advice from headquarters where appropriate