Elements and Performance Criteria
- Work in a USAR environment
- Personal protective clothing and equipment appropriate to the USAR environment is selected and worn
- Principles and organisational procedures for working safely in a USAR environment are implemented
- Introduce canines to a USAR environment
- Problems that may develop with canines being introduced to a USAR environment are identified and solved within area of responsibility
- Problems outside area of responsibility are referred to appropriate personnel for action and recommendations are made, as required
- Prepare canines for detection of live human scent
- Canine behaviour and responses are interpreted, and appropriate action is taken, in accordance with organisational procedures
- Regular interaction with canine is undertaken to maintain an enthusiastic, effective and appropriate level of work and behaviour at search locations
- Canine is deployed to detect live human scent in a range of areas and situations
- Develop alert behaviour in canines
- Problems encountered in bark alert training are diagnosed and solved, in accordance with organisational procedures
- Train canine using appropriate methods
- Canine psychology and drives are recognised and applied when training canine
- Appropriate degree of correction is used to discourage unwanted canine behaviour
- Canine involved in training is handled and controlled in a way that maintains performance and safety
- Manage training assistants
- Training assistant is briefed on the expected outcomes of the exercise
- Job safety analysis is provided to training assistant prior to commencement of training exercise
- Safety and welfare of training assistant is maintained throughout the training exercise
- Problems encountered with the training assistant are diagnosed and resolved, or referred to relevant personnel, in accordance with organisational procedures