Application
This unit describes the skills required to plan and implement search and rescue operations, as well as coordinate search and rescue (SAR) resources and employ media strategies.
This unit applies to police staff undertaking police search and rescue coordination duties.
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 resource procurement, stakeholder and family liaison and work health and safety (WHS).
Those undertaking this unit would work within multi-agency teams and often liaise with stakeholders. They will have to make decisions independently while remaining accountable, as well as demonstrate the ability to display adaptability and situational awareness. They would perform complex tasks in a range of contexts, either in the field or within police station/office environment.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
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. Plan for search and rescue operations | 1.1 Establish coordination centre to facilitate effective management of search and rescue operation. 1.2 Assess environmental factors to determine impact on search and rescue operation. 1.3 Identify resource requirements to undertake search and rescue operation and in accordance with environmental factors. 1.4 Identify role and capabilities of other search and rescue authorities to assist in search and rescue operation. 1.5 Select search patterns in accordance with environmental conditions/factors. 1.6 Develop rescue plan to assist in managing search and rescue operation. 1.7 Develop contingency plans to account for dynamic circumstances. 1.8 Review feasibility of plan in accordance with resources availability/capability and search and rescue mission. 1.9 Evaluate plan continually taking into account environmental context and nature of search and rescue incident. 1.10 Assess resources requirements for extended operations. |
2. Implement search and rescue plan | 2.1 Maintain critical decision records for accountability purposes. 2.2 Modify search and rescue plan in accordance with changing circumstances. 2.3 Evaluate search and rescue implementation continually to maximise probability of detection. 2.4 Facilitate family liaison to ensure next of kin are briefed. 2.5 Liaise with stakeholders to ensure effective coordination of resources. 2.6 Apply electronic search techniques to support search and rescue operation. 2.7 Seek medical advice to determine target's timeframe for survival. 2.8 Calculate probability of detection to assess effectiveness. 2.9 Determine when situation exceeds role/responsibility/capability for possible handover to another authority. 2.10 Identify follow-on actions required for ongoing coordination of search and rescue operation. |
3. Coordinate resources | 3.1 Delegate roles and responsibilities to ensure coordination of assets. 3.2 Allocate taskings and search areas in accordance with personnel and asset capabilities. 3.3 Monitor completion of tasks to ensure safety and task compliance. 3.4 Identify welfare and support considerations for personnel in accordance with WHS practices. 3.5 Facilitate resupply of resources to support SAR operations. |
4. Employ media strategies | 4.1 Determine media involvement in accordance with requirements of search and rescue operation. 4.2 Provide information to the media to assist search and rescue operation. 4.3 Liaise with media to manage accuracy and timeliness of information. |
Evidence of Performance
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.
facilitating coordination of search and rescue operation and allocation/deployment of resources
evaluating impacting factors on search and rescue operation
liaising with, and coordinating multi-agency stakeholders to facilitate search and rescue operation
displaying situational awareness within search and rescue operation context
sourcing relevant information to inform search and rescue operation
applying appropriate methods and techniques to facilitate search and rescue operation
documenting progress of operation including critical decisions
responding to media enquiries
Evidence of Knowledge
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.
national manuals relating to search and rescue
jurisdictional authorisation procedures for search and rescue operation
search area allocation
search patterns
probability of detection
calculations relating to search and rescue operation
methods for determining current location
operating procedures for equipment
search and rescue specialist unit
safety considerations for resources
personal protective equipment and requirements
first aid capabilities
jurisdictional policies and procedures relating to reporting requirements, handovers, family liaison, command and control systems and reporting requirements
the roles, responsibilities and capabilities of external stakeholders
resource requirements for protracted searches
WHS considerations for search and rescue operations
medical considerations for persons in distress
triangulation techniques and related legislative requirements
communication channels
interoperability of communication systems
electronic search tools
Assessment Conditions
This unit contains no specific industry-mandated assessment conditions. Guidance on suggested and recommended conditions and methods can be found in the Implementation Guide.
Consideration must be given to holistic assessment for this unit. Refer to advice in the companion volumes.
Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Foundation Skills
The foundation skills demands of this unit have been mapped for alignment with the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF). The following tables outline the performance levels indicated for successful attainment of the unit.
Further information on ACSF and the foundation skills underpinning this unit can be found in the Foundation Skills Guide on the GSA website.
Competency Field
Search and rescue