ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for hover–exit operations

1.1 Hover–exit equipment is selected and prepared in accordance with organisational requirements.

1.2 Appropriate clothing and equipment are worn in accordance with organisational requirements.

1.3 Pre-flight checks on clothing and equipment are undertaken in accordance with organisational procedures.

1.4 Damage to firefighting and safety equipment is reported to relevant supervisor for repair, replacement or disposal.

1.5 General aircraft safety briefing is obtained from pilot, crew person, or airbase/helibase manager.

2. Load hover–exit personnel and equipment into helicopter

2.1 Firefighting and safety equipment are assembled, weighed and recorded.

2.2 Pilot is informed of weights.

2.3 Equipment is loaded into helicopter and secured under pilot or flight crew supervision.

2.4 Instructions are obtained from pre-mission briefing and clarification of objectives and procedures is sought where required

2.5 Personnel are secured in seatbelts in accordance with workplace instructions.

2.6 Pre-flight safety briefing is obtained from pilot or aircrew.

3. Prepare to exit from hovering helicopter

3.1 Appropriate landing technique is selected and used in accordance with ground and safety conditions.

3.2 Following clearance from pilot and hover–exit crew leader, instructions are received to prepare for exit.

3.3 Seatbelt is released and then resecured prior to moving towards the helicopter doorway in accordance with organisational procedures and instructions received.

3.4 Pre-descent checks are conducted in accordance with organisational requirements.

3.5 Clearance is obtained from the pilot and hover–exit crew leader to disembark.

3.6 Emergency procedures are conducted as required.

3.7 Emergency commands are responded to in accordance with organisational procedures.

4. Exit from hovering helicopter

4.1 Hover–exit operations are undertaken in accordance with work health and safety requirements.

4.2 Actions are undertaken to minimise uncommanded movement of the helicopter during transfer to the ground in accordance with workplace instructions.

4.3 Assembly point for individual/s and equipment is identified and reached.

4.4 All-clear signal is communicated to pilot or crew person when landing activity is complete.

4.5 Under instruction from the hover–exit crew leader, individual/s and equipment are transferred between the helicopter and the ground according to agency procedures.

4.6 Emergency procedures are conducted as required.

4.7 Emergency commands are responded to in accordance with organisational procedures.

5. Undertake hover–entry to helicopter

5.1 Individual/s and equipment are located at the nominated assembly point in preparation for hover–entry.

5.2 Following clearance from pilot and hover–exit crew leader, movement towards the helicopter is undertaken in accordance with organisational procedures and instructions received.

5.3 Actions to minimise uncommanded movement of the helicopter during transfer from the ground to the helicopter are undertaken in accordance with workplace instructions.

5.4 Movement on board the helicopter and toward the helicopter seat is undertaken in accordance with workplace instructions and instructions received.

5.5 Seatbelts are secured unless clearance is obtained to commence movement within the helicopter in accordance with organisational safe work practices.

5.6 Seatbelts remain secured until the helicopter has landed and clearance is obtained to commence movement within the helicopter.

6. Perform maintenance on equipment

6.1 Equipment is inspected and required maintenance is performed in accordance with organisational or manufacturer requirements.

6.2 Damage to equipment is reported to relevant supervisor for repair, replacement or disposal.

6.3 Maintenance or damage to equipment is documented and reported according to procedures.

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

Required Skills

apply relevant workplace procedures including codes of practice, hazard policy and procedures, briefing procedures and work instructions, procedures relating to safe use of equipment, workplace procedures

complete work systematically in accordance with safe operating procedures to minimise risk of injury to self, others or damage to equipment

minimise movement during ascent and descent from helicopter

report accidents and incidents within regulatory and agency requirements

take action promptly

work as part of a team in the transfer of personnel and equipment between helicopter and the ground

Required Knowledge

briefing format and content

characteristics and operating principles of hover–exit equipment

documentation requirements and reporting arrangements

correct method of carrying various types of equipment

safe work practices when working in and around helicopters

safety and emergency procedures

site selection for hover–exits

types of helicopters used by the agency for conducting hover–exit operations

types of landing techniques

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:

operate in accordance with work health and safety procedures, legislative and operational guidelines

prepare, inspect, carry and stow equipment prior to, during and following exiting from the helicopter

follow instructions and procedures within the helicopter

implement correct procedures for entering and exiting from the helicopter including correct sequencing of activities

demonstrate hover–exit procedures for exiting from different heights and from different helicopters.

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed on-the-job or in a range of simulated hover–exit or –entry activities.

Specific resources for assessment

Access is required to:

equipment and materials

personal protective and safety equipment

area to conduct operations

helicopter/s

briefing reports

appropriate personnel.

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 agency-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

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.

General aircraft safety briefing will be conducted by:

airbase/helibase manager

crew person

pilot

Pre-mission briefing will be given by either:

hover-exit crew leader

pilot

Pre-flight safety briefing will be given by either:

pilot

aircrew member

Hover–exit operations may include:

assistance from a helicopter for crew person

conducting hover-exit operations from various helicopter types approved by the organisation, the right or left side of a helicopter

transfer of equipment (chainsaws, rake-hoes, axes, other hand tools; personal rucksacks; food and drink containers) and firefighting crew between the helicopter and the ground

Emergency procedures may include:

aborted operation

descent or landing injury

emergency retrieval

engine failure