Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

PMAOMIR321B Mapping and Delivery Guide
Manage communication systems during an incident

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency PMAOMIR321B - Manage communication systems during an incident
Description This unit covers the management and availability of effective communication systems during an incident. The person would typically respond to the incident coordinator or the incident manager.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application In a typical scenario the person may estimate the communication needs and set about to provide them. Depending on the nature of the incident, this may include a wide range of communication processes. It could, for instance, include the provision of a telephone centre to handle media requests, inquiries from families, and secure lines of communication between the incident centre and outside authorities. The likelihood of the communications being disrupted by the incident would need to be planned for and the provision of alternative radio communication equipment and facilities may be required.Key aspects of the competence include:identifying the stakeholders and their communication needsprovision of the communications systems requiredestablishing the communication channels to keep the stakeholders linkedbeing able to prioritise the needs and availability of resources.The individual may be:able to prioritise and respond to requests and requirementsfamiliar with communication equipment and systems availableable to work in a stressful environmentGenerally the individual would be part of an incident team during an emergency situation though may be required to take independent action. At all times they would be liaising and cooperating with the incident manager.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Check existing communications systems
  • Check that the available communications systems are operable
  • Ensure that personnel are available and trained to use the existing facilities
  • Ensure that recording systems are in place to enable accurate recording of data.
       
Element: Provide necessary communications systems
  • Identify stakeholders in the incident management process
  • Identify the communication needs of these stakeholders
  • Plan for the acquisition and deployment of the systems necessary to provide the communication needs
  • Acquire, set up and put into operation the communications systems as required
  • Allocate and train personnel as required to support the communication systems provided.
       
Element: Prepare contingency plans
  • Review the incident information available to estimate possible future communication requirements
  • Prepare contingency plans for communication requirements, including all equipment, facilities, resources and people
  • Manage the contingency plan to ensure that systems are provided as required
  • Review and update the requirements throughout the incident
       
Element: Keep a record of the incident
  • Maintain a chronological record of the incident, the needs, resources and solutions as the incident progresses
  • Prepare a report, including recommendations for the future, at the conclusion of the incident
       
Element: Control hazards concerned with the communications systems
  • Identify hazards in the work environment
  • Assess the risks arising from those hazards
  • Implement measures to control those risks in line with procedures and duty of care
       
Element: Respond to problems
  • Identify possible problems in equipment or process
  • Determine which problems need action
  • Determine possible fault causes
  • Rectify problem(s) using appropriate solution(s) within area of responsibility
  • Follow through items initiated until final resolution has occurred
  • Report problems outside area of responsibility to designated person.
       


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 the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Assessment for this unit of competency will be by way of simulation or observation under incident conditions. The unit will be assessed in as holistic a manner as is practical and may be integrated with the assessment of other relevant units of competency. Assessment will occur over a range of situations which can include a variety of incident circumstances.

Simulations must, as closely as possible, approximate actual incident conditions and should be based on the actual facility. Assessments should include walk-throughs of the relevant competency components and may include the use of case studies/scenarios and role plays.

This unit of competency requires a significant body of knowledge which will be assessed through questioning and the use of 'what-if' scenarios both in the facility (during demonstration of normal operations and walk-throughs of abnormal operations) and off the site.

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

Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to recognise and analyse potential situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate responsive action. The emphasis should be on the ability to deal effectively with the incident or to contribute effectively to the recovery from the incident.

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:

key communication channels are identified and maintained

information is supplied to the key personnel involved in the incident

appropriate documentation including reports, journal entries, logs and/or clearances are completed in accordance with procedures.

These assessment activities should include a range of problems, including new, unusual and improbable situations which may have been generated from past workplace incident history, incidents in similar workplaces around the world, hazard analysis activities and/or similar sources.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment will require (1) access to an accurately simulated environment in the absence of an on-site incident environment, or (2) a suitable method of gathering evidence of responding ability over a range of situations. A bank of scenarios/case studies/what-ifs will be required as will a bank of questions which will be used to probe the reasoning behind the observable actions.

Method of assessment

In all plants it may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with relevant teamwork and communication units.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the oracy, language and literacy capacity of the assessee and the work being performed.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, 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

Competence includes the ability to isolate the causes of issues within the incident response system and to be able to distinguish between causes of issues indicated by:

difficulties in operations and use of communications systems during an incident

failure of equipment

lack of suitably trained or specialised personnel.

Required knowledge

Competence includes an understanding of the communication needs of the organisation and the facilities and equipment which may be able to produce it. In particular it includes:

details of the existing communication systems

alternative communications systems, their suitability and availability

contingency planning

acquisition and provision of communications capability

reporting procedures of the organisation.

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, if used in the Performance Criteria, is detailed below. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Codes of practice/ standards

Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, the latest version must be used.

Context

This unit of competency includes all such items of equipment and unit operations which form part of the incident response system. In your facility this may include:

telephone equipment, including handsets, switchboards, satellites and lines

mobile phones, fax machines, video conferencing, messaging/paging

computers, Internet, email

radio systems (HF, VHF)

printers, copiers and supplies.

Typical problems for your facility may include:

damage to existing infrastructure

availability of equipment and resources

lack of specialised and/or trained people

volume of communications being received.

Health, safety and environment (HSE)

All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environment requirements, which may be imposed through State or Federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between Performance Criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence.

Relationship to Major Hazard Facility Legislation

Organisations within the Chemical, Hydrocarbons and Oil Refining industries may find themselves falling under the provisions of various Major Hazard Facilities legislation. In developing this unit consideration has been given to the requirements of Sections 8 and 9 of the National Standard for the Control of Major Hazard Facilities [NOHSC:1014(2002)] and the National Code of Practice for the Control of Major Hazard Facilities [NOHSC:2016(1996)].

This unit will assist individuals to meet some of their obligations under the relevant State or Territory legislation. Responsibility for appropriate contextualisation and application of the unit to ensure compliance however, remains with the individual organisation.

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
Check that the available communications systems are operable 
Ensure that personnel are available and trained to use the existing facilities 
Ensure that recording systems are in place to enable accurate recording of data. 
Identify stakeholders in the incident management process 
Identify the communication needs of these stakeholders 
Plan for the acquisition and deployment of the systems necessary to provide the communication needs 
Acquire, set up and put into operation the communications systems as required 
Allocate and train personnel as required to support the communication systems provided. 
Review the incident information available to estimate possible future communication requirements 
Prepare contingency plans for communication requirements, including all equipment, facilities, resources and people 
Manage the contingency plan to ensure that systems are provided as required 
Review and update the requirements throughout the incident 
Maintain a chronological record of the incident, the needs, resources and solutions as the incident progresses 
Prepare a report, including recommendations for the future, at the conclusion of the incident 
Identify hazards in the work environment 
Assess the risks arising from those hazards 
Implement measures to control those risks in line with procedures and duty of care 
Identify possible problems in equipment or process 
Determine which problems need action 
Determine possible fault causes 
Rectify problem(s) using appropriate solution(s) within area of responsibility 
Follow through items initiated until final resolution has occurred 
Report problems outside area of responsibility to designated person. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

PMAOMIR321B - Manage communication systems during an incident
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

PMAOMIR321B - Manage communication systems during an incident

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: