PUAEMR021A
Facilitate emergency planning processes

This unit describes the outcomes required to collaboratively facilitate development of new, or revision of existing emergency plans in a multi-agency and community context. Such plans may focus on one or more aspects of emergency management, i.e. prevention, preparedness, response and/or recovery.

Application

This unit applies to people responsible for developing emergency management plans within or by local government, emergency service or government agencies and departments, event organisers, utilities, critical infrastructure or high occupancy buildings, and service providers.

The unit focuses on planning which requires input from a number of different organisations and the community.

No licencing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Establish the emergency planning context and framework

1.1 Authority to plan is confirmed with reference to legislation, organisational direction, community or other managerial agreement .

1.2 Planning environment is clarified by analysing drivers and risk assessment.

1.3 Considerations that may impact on the planning framework are identified and analysed .

1.4 Stakeholders, their potential interests, sensitivities, roles and responsibilities are identified.

1.5 Planning team/group is established with an appropriate balance of expertise, stakeholder representation and authority to achieve desired outcomes.

1.6 Emergency plan aims and objectives and governance framework are developed and refined with stakeholders.

2. Develop agreed planning processes and methodology

2.1 A feasible project scope is developed, considering practical constraints

2.2 Processes for negotiating outcomes, key performance indicators, information management, reporting, accountability and decision making strategies are developed and agreed within existing accountabilities.

2.3 A consultation and communication plan is developed and implemented.

2.4 Sources of expertise are identified to contribute specialised information and analysis as required.

2.5 A project plan is prepared and approved in consultation with stakeholders.

3. Undertake research and analysis for emergency management planning

3.1 Plan is regularly reviewed in response to new information or changes in resources and planning environment.

3.2 Appropriate research tools and consultation strategies are chosen.

3.3 Comprehensive body of community information, risks and safety expectations is sourced/built/updated using credible sources.

3.4 Effectiveness of current emergency management strategies are assessed to address the vulnerability of communities and environments by analysing their susceptibility and resilience to risk.

3.5 The plan's role as an appropriate risk treatment is confirmed.

4. Develop/refine emergency management planning outcomes

4.1 Emergency management arrangements are reviewed or developed to identify potential gaps or duplication in roles and responsibilities.

4.2 Emergency management strategies and responsibilities are identified and confirmed in consultation with stakeholders.

4.3 Broad categories and types of resources and services that are likely to be required, including potential critical shortfalls, are identified.

4.4 Financial and contractual arrangements for accessing or acquiring resources and services are developed.

4.5 Arrangements for the command, control and coordination of any emergency response or recovery are addressed in the plan.

4.6 Contingencies to address potential problems are developed with relevant organisations and service providers.

4.7 Community and organisational implications of new/revised emergency management plans are identified in consultation with stakeholders.

5. Document the emergency plan

5.1 Plan is iteratively developed in consultation with stakeholders.

5.2 Plan is prepared in a format prescribed by organisational standards and consistent with broader jurisdictional emergency management arrangements.

5.3 Clear and concise language appropriate for the audience/s is used.

5.4 Planning records, supporting documentation and contact information are maintained to organisational standards.

6. Validate the plan

6.1 A maintenance, audit and exercise schedule is implemented in consultation with stakeholders.

6.2 Outcomes of exercise and/or review are used to refine plan in consultation with stakeholders.

Required Skills

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

Required Skills

build and maintain effective networks and relationships across multiple agencies or organisations

communicate effectively in writing

define and provide recommendations to solve problems

facilitate group work

manage complex projects

undertake research and analysis

use effective interpersonal communication skills

work with and consult stakeholders

work cooperatively

write clearly, concisely using accurate terminology

Required Knowledge

Fundamentals of risk management included in Australian Standard AS/NZS ISO 3100:2009 Risk management—Principles and guidelines

Fundamentals of emergency management planning included in Australian Emergency Management Manual 43 Emergency Planning

culture, diversity and history of communities, environments and associated concerns, issues and sensitivities, perception of risks

current state/territory/agency emergency management plans

planning process and the impact, outcomes and benefits for stakeholders

relevant emergency risk management terminology, concepts and principles

relevant jurisdictional emergency management arrangements

research tools/methodologies for geographic, demographic and economic research

group dynamics, strategies for team building and resolving conflict

meeting procedures

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:

explain the emergency planning process

develop an appropriate and sustainable emergency planning process in cooperation with planning team/group and stakeholders

work with planning team/group and stakeholders to develop plans that are readily usable and able to be implemented effectively

develop emergency plans that have stakeholder approval and support

evaluate planning process and outcomes with stakeholders.

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated in at least two multi-agency contexts, with a diverse stakeholder group, one of which may be simulated.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed making significant contributions to an emergency planning process either as an individual or as the representative of a stakeholder, organisation or constituency in the workplace or in a simulated workplace environment.

Specific resources for assessment

Access is required to:

organisational community

opportunity to participate in an actual, or simulated, emergency planning process.

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.

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.

Drivers may include:

changes in community characteristics

changes in legislation, policies and disaster/emergency management plans

changes in insurance policies and premiums

new sources of risk or changed perception of risk

planning deficiencies

recent emergency incident reports/debriefs, safety issues

recent judicial decisions

changes in strategic and corporate plans

Considerations that may impact on the planning framework may include:

arrangements specified in legislation

organisational or jurisdictional emergency risk management policies or procedures

existing disaster plans, agreements or memoranda of understanding

local planning regulations, development controls and environmental plans

Stakeholders may include:

staff

client groups

decision makers

members of the public

community groups

industry groups

public and private sector organisations

non-government organisations

elected officials

Emergency plans may include:

plans developed to address specific risks

plans required by commonwealth/state/territory legislation

plans required by regulators and permit conditions

Practical constraints may include:

arrangements, roles and responsibilities set down in existing emergency management plans

availability of technical expertise, technology, equipment

budgets, time, availability and capability of people

land use planning

legislation covering emergency management, environmental management, safety standards, local government regulations

limited community knowledge of emergency management planning processes and benefits

political, social and cultural considerations

Research tools may include:

affinity analysis

brainstorming, visioning

cause and effect analysis, force field analysis

emergency risk management process and tools

SWOT analysis

bow-tie analysis

cost:benefit analysis

Community information may include:

characteristics of natural, social, economic and built environments

demographics (population distribution, social, cultural, health status and education data)

details of key infrastructure and emergency/support services

economic activity reports (employment, products, services, revenue)

government reports (such as environmental impacts)

emergency risk assessment studies

Risks may include:

commercial and legal relationships

economic systems and relationships

human behaviour

natural events

built environment failures

disease (plant, animal or human)

political circumstances

technology/technical issues, management activities and controls


Sectors

Not applicable.


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.