PUAECO005A
Dispatch resources from within an emergency communications centre

This unit covers the competency required to determine, allocate and dispatch resources in an emergency communications centre.

Application

This unit applies to dispatchers working in an emergency communications centre who are required to dispatch emergency response resources to emergency incidents and other events.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Determine appropriate response

1.1 Information required to determine the appropriate response to an incident is quickly identified, in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.

1.2 Sourcesof information are accessed and relevant information is retrieved quickly and efficiently.

1.3 Availability and capability of resources is assessed.

1.4 Organisational response procedures are applied to ensure appropriate resources are matched to incident/s.

1.5 Request/s for assistance are prioritised in accordance with agency protocols and legislation where required.

2. Dispatch resources

2.1 Equipmentand systems are used to locate, allocate and dispatch resources.

2.2 Resource dispatch announcements are made promptly and accurately, in an organised, concise and complete manner using clear and appropriate language in accordance with organisational turnout methods and technology.

2.3 Public safety agenciesandrelevant organisations are notified in accordance with operational procedures.

2.4 Communication with dispatched resources is established and recorded.

2.5 Additional information is disseminated to dispatched responding resources.

2.6 Resource dispatch follow-up procedures are implemented.

2.7 Administrative duties and support tasks are completed promptly, in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.

2.8 All incident information is recorded, maintained and updated in accordance with organisational requirements.

2.9 Back-up or business continuity systems are used when required.

3. Provide ongoing support to operations

3.1 Status of resources is monitored.

3.2 Public safety agencies and relevant organisations are notified in accordance with operational procedures.

3.3 Field requests are actioned.

3.4 Resources are allocated as required.

3.5 Resource information is maintained and updated.

3.6 Communication with personnel in the field is maintained and recorded.

Required Skills

This describes the essential skills and resources knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills

apply operational knowledge to deploy resources

communicate and liaise with colleagues and stakeholders

disseminate information

make decisions and solve problems to prioritise requests

operate and access a range of information sources

operate back-up and business redundancy systems

receive, record and relay information

use technology

Required Knowledge

communication protocols

equipment attached to specific resources

follow up procedures

functions of other agencies, jurisdictions, organisations, authorities and regulators

organisational resources

organisational policies, procedures and guidelines (such as relevant legislation; operational, corporate and strategic plans; operational performance standards; operational policies and procedures; organisational personnel and occupational health and safety practices and guidelines; organisational quality standards; organisation's approach to environmental management and sustainability)

relevant databases and sources of information and how to access them

relevant legislation

relevant procedures

responsibilities specified in memoranda of understanding (MOU) relevant to dispatching resources

service level agreements

Evidence Required

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:

quickly and accurately access the required information and dispatching resources, including additional resources and specialised information

effectively maintain communication with emergency resources using communication protocols

effectively liaise with other organisations and agencies

adhere to standard operating guidelines and procedures and take actions to follow the chain of command and instructions of manager/leading emergency communications centre officers as appropriate.

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time during emergency communications centre operations or simulated operations that include critical and non-critical situations across a range of different types of emergencies and level of activity.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace environment under conditions expected in the workplace.

Specific resources for assessment

Access is required to:

agency protocol documentation

back-up systems

computer aided dispatch (CAD)

operations and systems manuals

organisational documentation

relevant databases

telephony system

training databases, where available

training manual

workplace expert/s

Method of assessment

This unit may be assessed with the following units:

PUAECO001A Operate telephony systems

PUAECO002A Process emergency incident calls and enquiries

PUAECO003A Operate and control radio networks

PUAECO004A Operate computer aided dispatch system.

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.

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


Range Statement

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.

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

directives

legislation\multi agency agreements

mobilising procedures

operational procedures

standard operating guidelines and procedures

Sources of information may include:

databases

systems

MOUs

other organisations

service level agreements

standard operational procedures

Equipment and systems may include:

ancillary equipment

computer aided dispatch system

paging networks

phone networks

radio

radio networks

Public safety agencies and relevant organisations may include:

ambulance

government services/authorities

non-government agencies

police

public utilities

Establishing and recording communication with dispatched resources may include:

radio

telephone

text messaging

Incident information may include:

casualty numbers and details

incident type

level of assistance that is required

location of incident

origin of call

relative priorities

responding resources

situation reports from incident commander/controller

time stamping of manual records

Status of resources are monitored for:

incidents

response coverage, in accordance with organisational requirements

Field requests may include:

appliance voice requests

escalating resources and agencies

facilitating logistical support

maintenance breakdowns

notifying appropriate authorities

situation reports or informative messages

specific resources and agencies

status changes

stop messages

upgrade of response levels

Resource information may include:

dispatching assets/resources/appliance

entering equipment changes such as appliance change over

returning assets/resources/appliances


Sectors

Not applicable.


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.