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

POLSAR006 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Undertake land search and rescue duties

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency POLSAR006 - Undertake land search and rescue duties
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit describes the skills required to prepare land search and rescue (SAR) responses, determine current location and destination, provide grid references to search and rescue teams, and plan land search and rescue operations.This unit applies to those working as police staff involved in police land search and rescue operations. It may be applied in the field and within office environment.The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to, particularly those related to work health and safety (WHS).Those undertaking this role will work within multi-agency teams and often liaise with stakeholders, while completing complex tasks in a broad range of contexts. They will have to make decisions independently while giving consideration to financial and human resource management requirements.No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to unit at the time of publication.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.

This unit contains no specific industry-mandated assessment conditions. Guidance on suggested and recommended conditions and methods can be found in the Implementation Guide.

Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field Search and rescue
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: Prepare for land search and rescue response
  • Establish command and control to conduct land search and rescue operations.
  • Conduct urgency assessment to determine level of response.
  • Establish forward command post to facilitate coordination of land search and rescue operations.
  • Establish communications to facilitate flow of information.
  • Assess characteristics of target and environment to inform search and rescue response.
  • Access jurisdictional information management systems to gather information on target.
       
Element: Determine current location, destination and resources
  • Identify maps to source information.
  • Interpret information from maps to ensure accurate parameters of search area.
  • Analyse data to plot incident location.
  • Calculate incident distance and location from given landmarks.
  • Triangulate incident from distinct features to fix a position.
  • Plot search areas to determine resource allocation and asset deployment for probable and possible search areas.
  • Evaluate terrain to identify impacts on land search and rescue operations.
  • Identify safe routes and potential access restrictions to determine access to search area.
  • Identify specialist resources to facilitate land search and rescue operations.
       
Element: Provide grid references to search and rescue operations team
  • Calculate grid references using magnetic bearings, and/or latitude and longitude and/or incident location details provided by callers.
  • Communicate six figure grid references to search and rescue operations team.
  • Communicate references to field personnel for use in portable navigational aids.
  • Communicate directional information to operations team on request.
       
Element: Perform land search and rescue response
  • Establish cordons to limit size of search area.
  • Use land search strategies to develop an accurate search area.
  • Select land search patterns in accordance with conditions and terrain.
  • Allocate taskings for resources and assets in accordance with capability.
  • Apply portable navigation aids to provide live information to search coordinator, where available.
  • Analyse information from portable navigation aids to determine areas searched by teams.
  • Modify land search patterns using on scene intelligence.
       
Element: Prepare for land search and rescue response
  • Establish command and control to conduct land search and rescue operations.
  • Conduct urgency assessment to determine level of response.
  • Establish forward command post to facilitate coordination of land search and rescue operations.
  • Establish communications to facilitate flow of information.
  • Assess characteristics of target and environment to inform search and rescue response.
  • Access jurisdictional information management systems to gather information on target.
       
Element: Determine current location, destination and resources
  • Identify maps to source information.
  • Interpret information from maps to ensure accurate parameters of search area.
  • Analyse data to plot incident location.
  • Calculate incident distance and location from given landmarks.
  • Triangulate incident from distinct features to fix a position.
  • Plot search areas to determine resource allocation and asset deployment for probable and possible search areas.
  • Evaluate terrain to identify impacts on land search and rescue operations.
  • Identify safe routes and potential access restrictions to determine access to search area.
  • Identify specialist resources to facilitate land search and rescue operations.
       
Element: Provide grid references to search and rescue operations team
  • Calculate grid references using magnetic bearings, and/or latitude and longitude and/or incident location details provided by callers.
  • Communicate six figure grid references to search and rescue operations team.
  • Communicate references to field personnel for use in portable navigational aids.
  • Communicate directional information to operations team on request.
       
Element: Perform land search and rescue response
  • Establish cordons to limit size of search area.
  • Use land search strategies to develop an accurate search area.
  • Select land search patterns in accordance with conditions and terrain.
  • Allocate taskings for resources and assets in accordance with capability.
  • Apply portable navigation aids to provide live information to search coordinator, where available.
  • Analyse information from portable navigation aids to determine areas searched by teams.
  • Modify land search patterns using on scene intelligence.
       


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.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section.

1. Prepare for land search and rescue response

1.1 Establish command and control to conduct land search and rescue operations.

1.2 Conduct urgency assessment to determine level of response.

1.3 Establish forward command post to facilitate coordination of land search and rescue operations.

1.4 Establish communications to facilitate flow of information.

1.5 Assess characteristics of target and environment to inform search and rescue response.

1.6 Access jurisdictional information management systems to gather information on target.

2. Determine current location, destination and resources

2.1 Identify maps to source information.

2.2 Interpret information from maps to ensure accurate parameters of search area.

2.3 Analyse data to plot incident location.

2.4 Calculate incident distance and location from given landmarks.

2.5 Triangulate incident from distinct features to fix a position.

2.6 Plot search areas to determine resource allocation and asset deployment for probable and possible search areas.

2.7 Evaluate terrain to identify impacts on land search and rescue operations.

2.8 Identify safe routes and potential access restrictions to determine access to search area.

2.9 Identify specialist resources to facilitate land search and rescue operations.

3. Provide grid references to search and rescue operations team

3.1 Calculate grid references using magnetic bearings, and/or latitude and longitude and/or incident location details provided by callers.

3.2 Communicate six figure grid references to search and rescue operations team.

3.3 Communicate references to field personnel for use in portable navigational aids.

3.4 Communicate directional information to operations team on request.

4. Perform land search and rescue response

4.1 Establish cordons to limit size of search area.

4.2 Use land search strategies to develop an accurate search area.

4.3 Select land search patterns in accordance with conditions and terrain.

4.4 Allocate taskings for resources and assets in accordance with capability.

4.5 Apply portable navigation aids to provide live information to search coordinator, where available.

4.6 Analyse information from portable navigation aids to determine areas searched by teams.

4.7 Modify land search patterns using on scene intelligence.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.

assessing land search and rescue requirements

facilitating the coordination of land search and rescue operations

collecting and assessing information on land search and rescue requirements

evaluating terrain and weather conditions to inform search and rescue operations

determining target locations, distances and destinations

communicating with and coordinating stakeholders within land search and rescue context

applying appropriate land search and rescue tools and techniques

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.

principles of land navigation

map and chart types

map interpretation

weather patterns

terrain types

cartographic symbols and legends

lost person behaviour

variation

obstacles to land searches

basic land navigation tools

limitations and/or regulations which impact on land searches

common land search scenarios

land search resources and their limitations

local land environment

policies and procedures for handover and takeover of land searches

Naismith’s rule

the Mattson Consensus

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.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section.

1. Prepare for land search and rescue response

1.1 Establish command and control to conduct land search and rescue operations.

1.2 Conduct urgency assessment to determine level of response.

1.3 Establish forward command post to facilitate coordination of land search and rescue operations.

1.4 Establish communications to facilitate flow of information.

1.5 Assess characteristics of target and environment to inform search and rescue response.

1.6 Access jurisdictional information management systems to gather information on target.

2. Determine current location, destination and resources

2.1 Identify maps to source information.

2.2 Interpret information from maps to ensure accurate parameters of search area.

2.3 Analyse data to plot incident location.

2.4 Calculate incident distance and location from given landmarks.

2.5 Triangulate incident from distinct features to fix a position.

2.6 Plot search areas to determine resource allocation and asset deployment for probable and possible search areas.

2.7 Evaluate terrain to identify impacts on land search and rescue operations.

2.8 Identify safe routes and potential access restrictions to determine access to search area.

2.9 Identify specialist resources to facilitate land search and rescue operations.

3. Provide grid references to search and rescue operations team

3.1 Calculate grid references using magnetic bearings, and/or latitude and longitude and/or incident location details provided by callers.

3.2 Communicate six figure grid references to search and rescue operations team.

3.3 Communicate references to field personnel for use in portable navigational aids.

3.4 Communicate directional information to operations team on request.

4. Perform land search and rescue response

4.1 Establish cordons to limit size of search area.

4.2 Use land search strategies to develop an accurate search area.

4.3 Select land search patterns in accordance with conditions and terrain.

4.4 Allocate taskings for resources and assets in accordance with capability.

4.5 Apply portable navigation aids to provide live information to search coordinator, where available.

4.6 Analyse information from portable navigation aids to determine areas searched by teams.

4.7 Modify land search patterns using on scene intelligence.

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
Establish command and control to conduct land search and rescue operations. 
Conduct urgency assessment to determine level of response. 
Establish forward command post to facilitate coordination of land search and rescue operations. 
Establish communications to facilitate flow of information. 
Assess characteristics of target and environment to inform search and rescue response. 
Access jurisdictional information management systems to gather information on target. 
Identify maps to source information. 
Interpret information from maps to ensure accurate parameters of search area. 
Analyse data to plot incident location. 
Calculate incident distance and location from given landmarks. 
Triangulate incident from distinct features to fix a position. 
Plot search areas to determine resource allocation and asset deployment for probable and possible search areas. 
Evaluate terrain to identify impacts on land search and rescue operations. 
Identify safe routes and potential access restrictions to determine access to search area. 
Identify specialist resources to facilitate land search and rescue operations. 
Calculate grid references using magnetic bearings, and/or latitude and longitude and/or incident location details provided by callers. 
Communicate six figure grid references to search and rescue operations team. 
Communicate references to field personnel for use in portable navigational aids. 
Communicate directional information to operations team on request. 
Establish cordons to limit size of search area. 
Use land search strategies to develop an accurate search area. 
Select land search patterns in accordance with conditions and terrain. 
Allocate taskings for resources and assets in accordance with capability. 
Apply portable navigation aids to provide live information to search coordinator, where available. 
Analyse information from portable navigation aids to determine areas searched by teams. 
Modify land search patterns using on scene intelligence. 
Establish command and control to conduct land search and rescue operations. 
Conduct urgency assessment to determine level of response. 
Establish forward command post to facilitate coordination of land search and rescue operations. 
Establish communications to facilitate flow of information. 
Assess characteristics of target and environment to inform search and rescue response. 
Access jurisdictional information management systems to gather information on target. 
Identify maps to source information. 
Interpret information from maps to ensure accurate parameters of search area. 
Analyse data to plot incident location. 
Calculate incident distance and location from given landmarks. 
Triangulate incident from distinct features to fix a position. 
Plot search areas to determine resource allocation and asset deployment for probable and possible search areas. 
Evaluate terrain to identify impacts on land search and rescue operations. 
Identify safe routes and potential access restrictions to determine access to search area. 
Identify specialist resources to facilitate land search and rescue operations. 
Calculate grid references using magnetic bearings, and/or latitude and longitude and/or incident location details provided by callers. 
Communicate six figure grid references to search and rescue operations team. 
Communicate references to field personnel for use in portable navigational aids. 
Communicate directional information to operations team on request. 
Establish cordons to limit size of search area. 
Use land search strategies to develop an accurate search area. 
Select land search patterns in accordance with conditions and terrain. 
Allocate taskings for resources and assets in accordance with capability. 
Apply portable navigation aids to provide live information to search coordinator, where available. 
Analyse information from portable navigation aids to determine areas searched by teams. 
Modify land search patterns using on scene intelligence. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

POLSAR006 - Undertake land search and rescue duties
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

POLSAR006 - Undertake land search and rescue duties

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: