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

PUASAR018A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Select and maintain canines to be part of a canine search team for USAR incidents

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency PUASAR018A - Select and maintain canines to be part of a canine search team for USAR incidents
Description This unit covers the competency required to select canines to be part of a canine search team for urban search and rescue (USAR) incidents, to maintain the health and welfare of canines, to provide daily care to canines and to plan search and rescue training for search canines.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit applies to canine search specialists responsible for developing a canine search team for USAR incidents.A canine search team consists of one disaster search canine and one canine search specialist.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Not applicable.
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: Assess canines for USAR work
  • Criteria for canines to work in a USAR environment are determined.
  • Canines are observed and assessed in relation to determined criteria.
  • Canines assessed as meeting determined criteria are selected to be part of canine search team.
       
Element: Maintain search canine health
  • Basic symptoms of ill health or injury in search canines are identified.
  • Local authorities who can be consulted about the establishment or maintenance of search canine health are identified.
  • Program of health maintenance to prevent common illnesses or parasites is implemented.
  • Treatment program for ill or injured search canine is followed as required.
  • Basic first aid for ill or injured search canines is administered.
  • Basic first aid kit suitable for treating injured search canines is maintained.
       
Element: Manage search canine hygiene and welfare
  • Living environment, training areas and search canine transportation are maintained according to animal health and welfare requirements, standards and regulations.
  • Health, welfare and fitness of search canines is maintained for USAR operational and environmental conditions.
  • Healthy diet is maintained for search canines based upon individual animal's requirements.
  • Need to retire a search canine is assessed and recommended in accordance with specialist advice and/or animal health and welfare standards.
       
Element: Maintain records of search canine health and welfare
  • Vaccination and other preventative health records for search canine are established and maintained accordance with the Australian Urban Search&Rescue Canine Capability Best Practice Guideline.
  • Health, treatment and injury records for search canines are established and maintained.
  • Decisions to retire search canines are recorded.
  • Organisational policies and procedures for recording and reporting incidents that result in injuries to search canines are followed.
       
Element: Develop and implement a training plan
  • Training needs of canine search team are identified and assessed.
  • Training plan that addresses the needs, strengths, weakness of the canine search team is developed.
  • Training plan is reviewed and amended as necessary to reflect the changing needs of canine search team.
  • Training equipment is maintained.
  • Progress of canine search team is recorded and reported on.
       


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 this Training Package.

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

constantly observe and monitor search canines in relation to their continued ability to work in a USAR environment

provide recommendations on the health and welfare of search canines deployed in USAR incidents

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time under a range of conditions that would be expected in the workplace.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed in the workplace and/or in a simulated workplace environment.

Specific resources for assessment

Access is required to:

Australian Urban Search&Rescue Canine Capability Best Practice Guideline

canines training to work in a USAR environment

search canines

legislation, policy, procedures and guidelines relating to the health and welfare of canines

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 and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook.

Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment according to the workplace environment.

Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an industry-approved 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

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

administer preventative or curative medicines and treatments to canines

apply basic first aid techniques to canines

collect, analyse and organise information to produce records and reports required by the organisation and animal welfare authorities

interpret the actions and indications given by a canine

maintain living environment, training areas and canines to the required standard of hygiene

monitor diet and exercise regimes to maintain the health and welfare of canines

recognise basic symptoms of ill health and injury in canines

solve problems to deal with safety risks

work independently and in teams to manage the hygiene and welfare of canines

Required Knowledge

anatomy and signs of health/ill health and injury of canines

animal health and welfare requirements and regulations affecting working canines

Australian Urban Search&Rescue Canine Capability Best Practice Guideline

basic first aid techniques that can be used to treat injured canines

canine anatomy

canine developmental stages

canine grooming requirements

capabilities of canines working within a USAR environment

common illnesses, diseases, parasites and other causes of ill-health or injury affecting working canines

dietary and exercise requirements of working canines

location of veterinarians and other authorities who can assist in the maintenance of the health and welfare of canines

organisational policies and procedures regarding the health and welfare of canines within the organisation where applicable

physiology of canines

preventative measures for controlling illnesses and parasites that can affect canines

procedures for acquiring canines

psychology and behaviour of canines

records and reports required by state, territory and local authorities, the organisation and animal welfare authorities

restricted canine breeds

typical characteristics and temperaments of various breeds of canines that are suited to working within the USAR environment

work environment in which canines could be deployed and emergencies that could arise within those environments

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.

Criteria must include:

desired characteristics

desired habits

desired physical attributes

individual traits

Desired characteristics should include:

adapting readily to new situations, canine search specialists and environment

being alert and positively watchful of surroundings

being bold and willing to accept new challenges with confidence

being responsive to petting and praise from strangers in a non-aggressive manner

being sociable

demonstrating an even temperament

exhibiting high levels of inquisitiveness

having a high level of self-confidence

having strong prey or play drive

possessing high intelligence

responding to other canines in a non-aggressive manner

showing a strong desire to explore the environment and odours

Desired physical attributes should include:

bright, clear eyes with pink surrounding membranes

body suitably structured to work in a USAR environment

clear of any parasitic infestations that cannot be treated

ears that are clean and without foul odour or discharge

feet that have all toes, solid whole pads and no overlong claws

healthy, shiny coat with no bare patches etc.

limbs/hips without signs of arthritis or dysplasia in the joints

mouth containing pink gums, complete set of white teeth and no foul odour

producing stools that are firm and moist, not sloppy

wet nose without discolouration, scales or discharge

Basic symptoms of ill health may include:

aggression

dry nose

dull eyes

excessive barking

excessive drinking

excessive drooling

frothing at mouth

kennel cough

lameness

lethargy

signs of pain

stress/anxiety/depression

Local authorities may include:

animal welfare associations

local government authorities

local veterinarians

Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA)

Program of health maintenance must include:

Daily health checks including:

general demeanour

main body parts

maintaining hygienic environment

nose, eyes, ears, mouth, teeth, skin/coat, genitals/orifices, mucous membranes, feet/limbs/nails

obvious injury

passing of urine/faeces

posture and gait

presence of fleas or ticks

specific individual canine requirements

state of body coat and body condition

annual veterinary checks

Treatment program can vary according to:

cause of the symptoms, illness or injury

dosage matched to weight of canine

methods to be administered (e.g. in food, pill popper, applied to back of neck, injections, canine chew etc.)

physical form of the treatment to be administered (e.g. tablet, liquids, wash, decontamination etc.)

symptoms exhibited by the canine

Specialist advice may include:

canine trainers

jurisdictional canine focal points

veterinarians

Health records must include:

incident responses

organisational and state/territory or local authority, animal welfare legislative requirements

treatment programs for preventative or curative health regimes

vaccinations

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

Australian Urban Search & Rescue Canine Capability Best Practice Guideline

enabling legislation

national and regional policies and procedures

organisational policies and procedures, particularly those relating to the health and welfare of canines within the organisation

organisation's approach to environmental management and sustainability

procedural guides, standard operating procedures, work instructions

workplace health and safety acts, regulations and guidelines

Training needs may include:

ability of canine search specialist to identify and respond to indicators

access to situations where search canine can be deployed for USAR work

age of canine

behavioural drives influencing the canine

degree of bonding between canine and canine search specialist

characteristics exhibited by the canine

experience, commitment and knowledge of canine search specialist

frequency of training

health and welfare status of canine

length of time required by canine to acquire new skills

level of canine enthusiasm for detecting live human scent

level of training/experience

temperament of canine

Training plan must include:

consideration of environmental factors

planned set of exercises to:

develop and enhance canine response and control capabilities

maintain health and safety during work

maintain canine motivation

outline of the strategies and timeline for the progressive development of the canine search team

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
Criteria for canines to work in a USAR environment are determined. 
Canines are observed and assessed in relation to determined criteria. 
Canines assessed as meeting determined criteria are selected to be part of canine search team. 
Basic symptoms of ill health or injury in search canines are identified. 
Local authorities who can be consulted about the establishment or maintenance of search canine health are identified. 
Program of health maintenance to prevent common illnesses or parasites is implemented. 
Treatment program for ill or injured search canine is followed as required. 
Basic first aid for ill or injured search canines is administered. 
Basic first aid kit suitable for treating injured search canines is maintained. 
Living environment, training areas and search canine transportation are maintained according to animal health and welfare requirements, standards and regulations. 
Health, welfare and fitness of search canines is maintained for USAR operational and environmental conditions. 
Healthy diet is maintained for search canines based upon individual animal's requirements. 
Need to retire a search canine is assessed and recommended in accordance with specialist advice and/or animal health and welfare standards. 
Vaccination and other preventative health records for search canine are established and maintained accordance with the Australian Urban Search&Rescue Canine Capability Best Practice Guideline. 
Health, treatment and injury records for search canines are established and maintained. 
Decisions to retire search canines are recorded. 
Organisational policies and procedures for recording and reporting incidents that result in injuries to search canines are followed. 
Training needs of canine search team are identified and assessed. 
Training plan that addresses the needs, strengths, weakness of the canine search team is developed. 
Training plan is reviewed and amended as necessary to reflect the changing needs of canine search team. 
Training equipment is maintained. 
Progress of canine search team is recorded and reported on. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

PUASAR018A - Select and maintain canines to be part of a canine search team for USAR incidents
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

PUASAR018A - Select and maintain canines to be part of a canine search team for USAR incidents

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: