Application
This unit describes the skills required to conclude and, report the outcomes of, search and rescue (SAR) operations, including reviewing activities and communicating with stakeholders.
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 giving consideration to financial and human resource management requirements. 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. Conclude search and rescue operations | 1.1 Identify when to terminate as a result of medical advice, expiry of timeframe of survival or no likelihood of locating target. 1.2 Review search and rescue activities in accordance with legislative and investigative requirements. 1.3 Liaise with family prior to terminating search to maintain transparency. 1.4 Consult with stakeholders prior to terminating search to facilitate conclusion of operations. 1.5 Communicate intention to terminate to stakeholders to conclude operations. 1.6 Recall/stand down assets in accordance with resource requirements. 1.7 Ensure all assets are accounted for and prepared for redeployment. 1.8 Debrief search and rescue participants to review outcomes of search and rescue operation. |
2. Report outcomes of search and rescue operations | 2.1 Maintain records of critical decisions and their justifications for accountability and transparency purposes. 2.2 Collate information/log for search and rescue records. 2.3 Prepare jurisdictional reports for dissemination in accordance with reporting requirements. |
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.
terminating search and rescue operation
evaluating conduct of search and rescue operation
recalling and accounting for resources and assets
communicating with stakeholders
documenting outcomes of search and rescue operation
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.
Commonwealth, national, state and territory legislation relating to the conclusion of search and rescue operation
jurisdictional policies and procedures relating to the conclusion search and rescue operation
jurisdictional reporting requirements for search and rescue operation
jurisdictional policies and procedures relating to administration and finances for search and rescue operation
body recovery searches
incident scene management
process for and requirements of coronial investigations
jurisdictional re-supply guidelines
judicial processes
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.
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