Google Links

Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Remove casualties
   • Casualties are safely prioritised, packaged and handled from surface and sub-surface voids and spaces using recognised techniques and equipment to minimise further injury to casualty, self and others
   • Evidence of casualty identity is collected and processed, in accordance with jurisdictional disaster victim identification procedures
   • Appropriate actions are taken to preserve site, where possible, for evidentiary purposes
2. Prepare and plan to respond to USAR incidents
   • Personal documentation and kit is prepared appropriate to the nature of the incident and length of deployment
3. Pre-deployment briefing detailing mission information is received and clarified
4. Based on incident information received appropriate rescue resources are identified, selected and checked to ensure they are ready for use
5. Personal protective clothing and equipment is selected based on the nature of the incident and rescue resources to be used
6. Mobilise as part of a task force
   • Adequate communication is maintained with team members
7. Personal conduct is maintained, in accordance with applicable situation, cultural sensitivities and organisational requirements
8. Systematic approach to identifying potential hazards and associated risks is discussed with team members en route to the incident
9. Personal hygiene and safety is maintained, in accordance with organisational procedures
10. Assess and work within USAR incidents
    • Reconnaissance of area of operation is undertaken with other team members
11. Incident briefing detailing operational and task information is received and communicated with team members
12. Area of operations is managed to control access and maintain a safe and effective operational environment, in accordance with organisational procedures
13. Initial rescue operations are undertaken with other team members
14. Establishment of a base of operations is undertaken with other team members, in accordance with organisational procedures
15. Communication is established and maintained with other organisations/agencies on scene
16. Appropriate marking systems are used
17. Personal wellbeing and fatigue management strategies are implemented
18. Allocated rescue, logistics and communications tasks are undertaken, as directed
19. Determine location and condition of casualties
    • Search techniques and equipment are used to locate trapped casualties under the surface, in voids and spaces and from heights
20. Nature of casualty entrapment is ascertained, where possible
21. Gain access to casualties
    • Exclusion zone is established, in accordance with organisational procedures to provide a safe working environment
22. Stabilisation techniques are utilised to make collapsed structure and/or site safe
23. Rescue techniques appropriate to the nature of entrapment is used to access casualties
24. Located casualties are treated in consultation with medical personnel, in accordance with organisational procedures
25. Incident scene is constantly monitored for situational and environmental hazards and structural stability to prevent injury to self or others
    • Casualties are safely prioritised, packaged and handled from surface and sub-surface voids and spaces using recognised techniques and equipment to minimise further injury to casualty, self and others
26. Evidence of casualty identity is collected and processed, in accordance with jurisdictional disaster victim identification procedures
27. Appropriate actions are taken to preserve site, where possible, for evidentiary purposes
28. Demobilise as part of a USAR team
    • Equipment is recovered, cleaned and maintained, in accordance with organisational procedures and manufacturers' guidelines
29. Demobilisation of base of operations is undertaken with other team members, in accordance with organisational requirements
30. Operational readiness is maintained to support redeployment of USAR team and individual members, if required
31. Signs and symptoms of fatigue and operational stress in self and others is reported to relevant personnel
32. Operational debriefing is attended and contributed to, in accordance with organisational requirements
33. Hygiene precautions are implemented in accordance with organisational procedures
34. Exposure reports are completed, in accordance with organisational procedures

Range Statement

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment. Non-essential conditions may be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

---